Travelling with Bear Pepper Spray to Glacier National Park

by Brett

I am trying to plan a Glacier National Park, Montana vacation in August. There will be three or four of us flying out from DC/Philly area.

No one in our group have backpacked in Grizzly Bear country before. Backpacking around here we do encounter black bears, so we always bear bag and take precautions.

We were planning on getting bear spray when we get out there, but my question is what do we do with the bear spray at the end of our trip?

It is my understanding we can't fly with grizzly bear repellent in our checked gear.

Also, any suggestions about traveling with backpacking gear would be of great help.

Thank you and keep up the good work.

~ Brett

Answer:

Hi Brett,

Great question!

My belief is that you cannot fly with bear spray in your checked baggage.

Like you said, getting the bear repellent is the easily part--you can just purchase bear spray (or rent bear spray!) at any general store outside or inside Glacier National Park.

If you rent your bear spray, then you just return it at the end of your trip. Easiest solution.

Your other option is giving it to someone in need within Glacier. You'd be amazed at how many (foolish/uneducated) hikers there are that hike Glacier National Park without bear spray.

Maybe they don't realize it, but by hiking without bear pepper spray in Glacier National Park, you are putting your life at risk. Grizzly bears are a real, dangerous threat.

So, here's what you do: on your last hike in Glacier National Park, hand your bear spray off to someone in the parking lot that does not have bear spray. Easy, right?

Or, just rent it from a store outside of Glacier National Park (Kalispell is your best bet).