Quick answer: give wild animals space, never feed them and keep your campsite clean. The National Park Service asks visitors to stay at least 25 yards (about 23 meters) from most large animals such as bison, elk and moose and at least 100 yards (about 91 meters) from bears and wolves. If a mountain lion approaches, do not run; face it, make yourself look large, back away slowly and fight back if attacked. If a moose charges, run and get behind a tree, vehicle or building. Keep children close, keep pets leashed and store food and scented items securely.
Seeing wildlife is one of the best parts of camping. A moose wading through a pond or an elk bugling at dusk can be the highlight of a trip. But wild animals are unpredictable, and most injuries happen when people get too close.
This guide covers safe distances, how to react to specific animals and how to keep your campsite from becoming an attraction. Bears get their own detailed guide in our article on bear safety while camping, and wider planning lives in our camping safety guide for weather, fire, wildlife and emergencies.
Sources: National Park Service (NPS) wildlife viewing and safety guidance, including Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain and Glacier National Park pages; Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) moose safety information; California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Colorado Parks and Wildlife mountain lion safety guidance; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) rabies information; Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. Checked November 2026.
The Golden Rules of Wildlife Safety
Whatever the species, a few rules apply everywhere:
- Keep your distance. Use binoculars, spotting scopes or a telephoto lens instead of moving closer.
- Never feed wildlife, including squirrels, birds and deer. Fed animals can become aggressive and often have to be removed or killed.
- Store food, trash and scented items securely day and night.
- Keep children within sight and close by.
- Keep pets leashed and under control, or leave them at home in areas with large predators.
- Give animals an escape route. Never surround, corner or follow an animal.
- If an animal changes its behavior because of you, you are too close.
Safe Viewing Distances
The NPS sets minimum distances in many parks, and some parks have legal requirements.
| Animal | Recommended minimum distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bears | 100 yards (91 m) | Required in parks such as Yellowstone |
| Wolves | 100 yards (91 m) | Required in parks such as Yellowstone |
| Bison | 25 yards (23 m) | Bison injure more Yellowstone visitors than any other animal, according to the NPS |
| Elk | 25 yards (23 m) | Larger distances advised during the fall rut and spring calving |
| Moose | 25 yards (23 m) or more | Many experts advise more space, especially around cows with calves |
| Other wildlife | 25 yards (23 m) | Includes deer, bighorn sheep and coyotes |
A simple test: hold your arm straight out and raise your thumb. If you cannot cover the whole animal with your thumb, you may be too close.
Moose Safety
Why moose are dangerous
Moose are the largest members of the deer family, and adult bulls can weigh well over 1,000 pounds. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game notes that moose injure more people in Alaska than bears do each year. They are not usually aggressive, but they can become defensive when they feel threatened, are harassed by dogs or are protecting calves.
Warning signs
Watch for these signs that a moose is agitated:
- Ears laid back
- Hair on the hump raised
- Licking its lips
- Stamping or pawing the ground
- Moving toward you
What to do
If a moose shows signs of stress, back away and give it more room. The ADF&G advises that if a moose charges, you should run and get behind something solid such as a tree, car or building. Unlike with bears, running from a moose is recommended, since moose often stop chasing once you are no longer a threat. If a moose knocks you down, curl into a ball, protect your head with your arms and stay still until the moose moves away.
Moose and dogs
Moose often see dogs as wolves, a natural predator. An unleashed dog can provoke a moose and then run back to its owner with the moose following. Keep dogs leashed in moose country.
Mountain Lion Safety
How rare are attacks?
Mountain lions, also called cougars or pumas, live across much of the western United States and Canada, with a small population in Florida. Attacks on people are rare, and most people who live in or visit lion country never see one. Wildlife agencies still recommend that campers know what to do.
Reduce your risk
- Hike and camp in groups rather than alone.
- Keep children close and within sight, and do not let them run ahead on trails.
- Be especially alert around dusk and dawn, when lions are often more active.
- Keep pets leashed and inside the tent or vehicle at night.
- Do not approach a deer carcass, which may be a lion kill.
If you see a mountain lion
California and Colorado wildlife agencies give this advice:
- Do not run. Running may trigger a chase response.
- Stay calm and face the lion. Make eye contact.
- Pick up small children so they do not panic and run.
- Make yourself look large by raising your arms, opening a jacket or holding a backpack over your head.
- Speak firmly in a loud voice and back away slowly. Do not turn your back.
- If the lion acts aggressively, throw stones or branches without bending down or turning away.
- If attacked, fight back with rocks, sticks, tools, fists or anything you have. Stay on your feet if possible and protect your head and neck.
Bison and Elk
Bison
Bison look slow but can run much faster than people. The NPS reports that bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal. Warning signs include a raised tail, head bobbing, pawing and snorting. Stay at least 25 yards away, give them the right of way on roads and boardwalks and never try to take a close selfie.
Elk
Elk are usually calm, but bulls can be aggressive during the fall rut, roughly September to October, and cows can be protective of calves in late spring. Parks such as Rocky Mountain National Park urge visitors to stay well back and to use vehicles as a barrier when elk are nearby.
Smaller Animals That Cause Problems
Raccoons, rodents and birds
Raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks, mice, ravens and jays are the animals campers meet most often. They can chew through tents and packs to reach food and can carry diseases. Store food in hard-sided containers or lockers and never leave packs unattended.
Coyotes
Coyotes usually avoid people but can become bold where people feed them. If a coyote approaches, make yourself big, shout and throw small objects toward it. Keep pets close, especially at night.
Snakes
In snake country, watch where you put your hands and feet, use a flashlight at night and wear sturdy boots. If you see a snake, give it room and let it move away. In the United States, if someone is bitten by a venomous snake, call 911, keep them calm and still and remove rings or tight items near the bite. Do not cut the wound, suck out venom or apply a tourniquet.
Rabies awareness
The CDC notes that rabies in the U.S. is mostly found in wild animals such as bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes. Avoid touching wild animals, including ones that seem friendly, sick or dead. If you are bitten or scratched, wash the wound with soap and water and seek medical advice promptly. If you wake up with a bat in your tent, contact health officials for advice.
Wildlife Encounters on the Road and in the Campground
Many close encounters happen not on trails but on park roads and in campgrounds. Animal jams, when cars stop for wildlife, are common in parks such as Yellowstone and Grand Teton. If you stop to watch, pull completely off the road in a designated pullout, stay in your vehicle and keep moving traffic clear. Never block an animal’s path or approach it on foot for a photo.
Drive slowly at dawn, dusk and night, when deer, elk and moose often cross roads. Hitting a moose is especially dangerous because of the animal’s height and weight.
In the campground itself, check around your site before letting children play, keep a flashlight handy for nighttime trips to the restroom and report bold or aggressive animals to a ranger or campground host. Rangers would much rather hear about a habituated animal early, before someone gets hurt.
Photographing Wildlife Safely
Wildlife photography is a big part of many camping trips, and it is also a common reason people get too close.
- Use a telephoto lens or binoculars with a phone adapter instead of walking closer.
- Never use food, calls or noises to attract animals for a picture.
- Watch the animal, not the screen, so you notice warning signs.
- Avoid flash photography at night, which can startle animals.
- Never take selfies with your back turned to a large animal.
- Leave immediately if an animal moves toward you or changes its behavior.
Wildlife Encounter Quick Reference
| Animal | If it approaches | If it charges or attacks |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain lion | Do not run; face it, look big, back away slowly | Fight back, aiming for the face and head |
| Moose | Back away and give it room | Run and get behind a tree, car or building |
| Bison or elk | Back away and keep at least 25 yards | Get behind a solid barrier or vehicle |
| Coyote | Make yourself big, shout, throw small objects | Fight back; report it to rangers |
| Venomous snake | Step back slowly and give it room | Call 911 if bitten; keep still and calm |
Keeping Your Campsite Animal-Free
A clean campsite is the best defense against wildlife problems.
- Store food, coolers, trash, toiletries and pet food in a locker, a hard-sided vehicle or an approved container, as local rules require.
- Cook and eat away from your tent where possible, and clean up immediately.
- Never keep food or scented items in your tent.
- Wash dishes promptly and strain food scraps.
- Pack out trash or use wildlife-resistant bins.
Our guide on storing food safely from bears and raccoons covers lockers, canisters and hanging methods.
Wildlife Safety With Kids and Pets
Kids
Teach children to:
- Stay close to adults and never run ahead on trails
- Never approach, feed or touch wild animals
- Stand still and call for an adult if they see a large animal
- Never run from a mountain lion
Pets
Dogs can provoke wildlife and bring it back to you. Keep dogs leashed at all times, never leave them tied up alone at camp and store pet food securely. Check park rules, since many national parks restrict where pets can go.
Respecting Wildlife and Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace’s principle to respect wildlife asks visitors to observe from a distance, never feed animals, protect wildlife and food by storing rations and trash securely, control pets and avoid wildlife during sensitive times such as mating, nesting, raising young and winter. These habits protect both you and the animals. See our guide to Leave No Trace in practice for the full set of principles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far should you stay from wildlife while camping?
The NPS recommends at least 25 yards from most large animals such as bison, elk and moose, and at least 100 yards from bears and wolves.
Should you run from a moose?
Yes, if a moose charges, run and get behind a tree, car or building. Moose often stop once you are no longer seen as a threat.
What do you do if you see a mountain lion?
Do not run. Face the lion, make yourself look big, pick up small children, speak firmly and back away slowly. Fight back if attacked.
Which animal injures the most people in Yellowstone?
The NPS reports that bison have injured more Yellowstone visitors than any other animal.
How do you keep wild animals away from your campsite?
Store all food, trash and scented items securely, clean up after meals, never feed wildlife and keep pets leashed.
