Bear incident near Aspen Campground prompts U.S. Forest Service to remind of food storage rules
Keep food and trash locked up to prevent conflicts
Rick Spitzer/Courtesy photo
While an incident with a bear at the Difficult Campground near Aspen has led to banning tents and soft-sided campers there, there are food storage rules across the White River National Forest, including in Eagle County.
A rule first issued in May of 2024 requires those camping in the forest requires campers to store both food and refuse with approved storage methods including:
- A closed, locked vehicle where the storage compartment is constructed of solid, non-pliable material without any openings (such as open doors or windows) that would allow a bear to gain entry.
- A hard-sided building, with doors and windows closed and secured.
- Suspended at least 10 feet off the ground at all points and four feet horizontally from any supporting tree or pole.
The rule applies to developed campgrounds, day use areas and dispersed campgrounds throughout the White River National Forest. The entire rule is available on the forest’s website.
