Increasing Bear Activity Prompts Closure Of Three Trails In Anchorage Area

Bear sightings, bear close calls and, sadly, bear attacks, are nothing new for Alaska. But it’s still noteworthy that there’s enough bear activity around three popular trails near Anchorage that have been closed. Trails located within Far North Bicentennial Park and the BLM Campbell Tract are among the latest closures to go along with others in the area due to increased bear activity.

Here are some details from the Anchorage Daily News:

According to a statement from the city Department of Parks and Recreation, the decision comes after multiple recent close encounters between trail users and brown bears. 

Biologists with both the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Bureau of Land Management monitoring the area have also reported a higher-than-usual number of salmon in Campbell Creek. 

“Due to the proximity of the trail to Campbell Creek, bears are more likely to frequent the area during salmon runs,” Parks and Recreation Acting Director Shanna Gamble said in the statement. “In coordination with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, both Parks and Rec and the BLM support a proactive closure like this to reduce the risk to trail users.”