Bear Bags needed with camper?

[HarpoF6]

Im used to backpacking in bear country using either bear bags or the supplied steel bear boxes. Haven't motocamped with my bunkhouse in bear country yet- will be doing a week at Loft Mountain in Shennandoah NP in 3 weeks. Naturally, they advise packing your food stash in your "vehicle". Don't want claw marks on my tour pack, so what have you done in this situation? Anything different from backpackers?

[motomac]

Im used to backpacking in bear country using either bear bags or the supplied steel bear boxes. Haven't motocamped with my bunkhouse in bear country yet- will be doing a week at Loft Mountain in Shennandoah NP in 3 weeks. Naturally, they advise packing your food stash in your "vehicle". Don't want claw marks on my tour pack, so what have you done in this situation? Anything different from backpackers?
My Sweetheart and I just finished a tour in the Tetons and Yellowstone with a Bunkhouse and we put our food in the Bear Boxes. You are sleeping above the well of the camper and if you leave food in there, you may have a rude awakening. The bags and top box on a Gold Wing would be just as vulnerable as your HD, so I played it safe.

[GNB]

We were just on Skyline last week. We stayed in one of the walk-in tent sites. It had a large bear box which worked great. Not all of the sites (most do) have them. We saw a momma and 2 cubs walk by one night. Skunks and coons are nightly visitors and will sneak up right behind you and run off with whatever they can grab. Probably saw a hundred deer some within 5'. A fawn was nursing for 5min about 10' from where we were sitting!

[Trekker]

We were just on Skyline last week. We stayed in one of the walk-in tent sites. It had a large bear box which worked great. Not all of the sites (most do) have them. We saw a momma and 2 cubs walk by one night. Skunks and coons are nightly visitors and will sneak up right behind you and run off with whatever they can grab. Probably saw a hundred deer some within 5'. A fawn was nursing for 5min about 10' from where we were sitting!

Sounds like Big Meadows Campground- Skyline Drive.

Yeah, if there are bear boxes you should probably use them. They seem to be located in areas that have bear & other critters in abundance.

[GNB]

Yup. We had camped the lower end some 20yrs ago. I was concerned when planning on our ability to go from Watkins Glen to the southern end in one day so I booked Big Meadows.

[Mr. Guy]

I saw some pics from where a bear ripped the trunk lid COMPLETELY off of a Toyota to get at a gallon of milk in an ice chest. I think I would use the bear boxes or hang a bear bag.

Guy

[Yamifj1200]

We were just on Skyline last week. We stayed in one of the walk-in tent sites. It had a large bear box which worked great. Not all of the sites (most do) have them. We saw a momma and 2 cubs walk by one night. Skunks and coons are nightly visitors and will sneak up right behind you and run off with whatever they can grab. Probably saw a hundred deer some within 5'. A fawn was nursing for 5min about 10' from where we were sitting!

Living in Virginia, I have camped up on the skyline drive several times over the years. I have always used the provided bear boxes when available. I have never had any problems with bears, but at night with only a fire for light it appears we are in the middle of a Walt Disney flick as squirrels, skunks, and dear are all over the place looking for an easy meal... Kinda sureal for sure... enjoy your trip and pack your food up somewhere nothing can get to it..

Eric

[HarpoF6]

Were staying at Loft Mountain Campground. got a pull thru site for the bunkhouse. This place apparently offers more privacy between sites with vegetation... All tent sites are walk to... and makes sense they would have bear boxes... dont know if they are assuming the pull thru sites would be big RVs and would not have bear boxes. Will call ranger tomorrow to check.

[HarpoF6]

Update: SOME walk to tent sites have bear boxes. all drive thru camper sites do not have boxes. They assume you will keep your food inside your hard shell camper. Definitely not thinking about pop ups or MC camper trailers. Got a bear cache from EMS. Gee, you cant fit much freeze dried food in there! Good thing is... the campstore near the campground sells over the counter meals if we need it. Otherwise well eat while on the tour

[swandog]

wheres my supper

[HarpoF6]

Back from the trip. Great place to stay. Rode 1800 miles total all around Skyline drive, Northern BRP, and around the valleys. Bear bags or caches were really unnecessary at that campground, we learned. We could keep food sealed in a heavy duty zip lock bag and put it in the cargo of the bunkhouse. A cooler full of food on the rack would not be good though. Of course, the Rangers tell you to do it "this way" knowing most will only go half way. (and it would still most likely be ok). They do not have a bear problem there unlike on the west coast.