Can I keep food in my car in Yellowstone?

Keeping food in your car while visiting Yellowstone National Park may seem like a simple matter, but it’s actually a critical part of the park’s wildlife management and visitor safety policies. Yellowstone is home to a wide range of wild animals, including black bears, grizzly bears, wolves, coyotes, and smaller scavengers like ravens and squirrels—all of which have learned to associate human food with an easy meal. Because of this, the National Park Service has very specific rules and recommendations about food storage to ensure both human and animal safety.

Quick Reference: Food Storage in Yellowstone National Park

Category	Guidelines & Key Information
Can You Keep Food in Your Car?	✅ Yes, you can keep food in your car if it is sealed, out of sight, and the windows and doors are closed. This prevents wildlife, especially bears, from detecting or accessing it.
Where to Store Food	- Inside a hard-sided vehicle, trailer, or bear-proof storage locker.  - Never inside a tent or soft-sided camper.
Items Considered “Food” by Park Rules	Any edible items plus things with strong odors—such as toothpaste, sunscreen, soap, cooking oil, drinks, pet food, or trash.
When Not in Use	All food and scented items must be secured immediately after meals and never left unattended at campsites or picnic areas.
Overnight Storage	Store all coolers and food containers inside your locked vehicle at night. Do not leave them in open beds of trucks or on picnic tables.
Why These Rules Exist	Proper storage prevents animals—especially bears—from associating humans with food, helping to keep both people and wildlife safe.
Consequences of Violations	Rangers may issue warnings or fines for improper food storage. Violating food safety rules can result in confiscation of food or even eviction from the campground.
Wildlife Safety Reminder	Feeding or attracting wildlife is strictly prohibited. Animals that obtain human food often have to be relocated or euthanized.
Trash Disposal	Use only bear-proof dumpsters provided throughout the park. Always close the lid securely after use.
Best Practices	- Clean up all crumbs and leftovers.  - Keep car interiors odor-free.  - Never leave windows open while away from your vehicle.

Yes, you are allowed to keep food in your car in Yellowstone, but it must be stored properly. All food, beverages, coolers, trash, and items with strong odors—such as toothpaste, sunscreen, or cooking oils—should be kept inside a hard-sided vehicle when not in use. This means you can keep your food in your car as long as it is sealed, out of sight, and the windows and doors are completely closed. The goal is to prevent animals from seeing or smelling food that could attract them to vehicles or campsites. Bears have an incredibly keen sense of smell—one of the best in the animal kingdom—and can detect scents from miles away. Even seemingly harmless snacks or wrappers can lure them in if left out in the open.

In designated campgrounds, visitors are required to follow the park’s strict “food storage order.” This rule states that all food and scented items must be secured either inside a vehicle, a hard-sided trailer, or in the bear-proof food storage lockers provided at most campsites and picnic areas. 

Leaving food unattended on picnic tables, in tents, or hanging from trees is not allowed. Rangers patrol these areas regularly and can issue fines if food is left out or improperly stored. These rules exist not only to protect visitors but also to protect bears and other wildlife. Once an animal gets a taste of human food, it begins to associate people with feeding opportunities. This behavior can quickly lead to dangerous encounters, and unfortunately, such animals often have to be relocated or euthanized to prevent further incidents.

If you’re traveling through Yellowstone for the day, keeping food in your car is generally the best and safest option. Make sure everything is sealed tightly in containers or bags and avoid leaving anything with strong smells inside your tent or open-air vehicle. At night, all coolers and food bags should be placed inside your car, not on top of it or in the truck bed. It’s also smart to clean up thoroughly after eating—dispose of trash in the bear-proof dumpsters provided throughout the park. Even crumbs or beverage containers can draw unwanted attention from curious wildlife.

While these measures might seem strict, they are part of what allows millions of visitors to safely enjoy Yellowstone each year. Bears that stay wild remain alive and free, and visitors who follow the rules can camp and picnic without fear. So, yes—you can keep food in your car in Yellowstone, but you must do it responsibly. Keep everything sealed, hidden, and inside a locked vehicle whenever it’s not in use. By doing so, you’re helping protect yourself, other visitors, and the incredible wildlife that make Yellowstone one of the most remarkable places on Earth.