North Fork camping restricted due to high amount of bear activity

Unusually high bear activity has prompted Shoshone National Forest officials to temporarily ban tents and other soft-sided camping at three North Fork sites.

Until further notice, only hard-sided camping will be allowed at the Big Game, Elk Fork and Wapiti campgrounds, Shoshone official announced Friday afternoon. That means no tents or pop-up campers are allowed at those sites.

The Big Game Campground and two others are now open to hard-sided camping only. File photo courtesy U.S. Forest Service

Wapiti District Ranger Sue Stresser said forest managers are imposing the restrictions in the interest of public safety. Forest managers cited the large amount of recent bear activity along the North Fork of the Shoshone River.

Tent camping is still allowed at two North Fork sites: the Rex Hale and Clearwater campgrounds. Forest managers have decided to keep them open for an extra week, until Sept. 15.

Stresser encouraged campers to check the Shoshone's website — www.fs.usda.gov/shoshone — for updates on the status of the forest's campgrounds.

grizzly, Shoshone National Forest, wildlife