Bear Canister - Rental

Rent a bear canister for Yosemite, Mount Whitney, and Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks—required for safe food storage on overnight backpacking trips. If you're planning a trip, you can review bear canister requirements for Yosemite trips or learn about bear can rules for Mount Whitney before choosing your rental.

$4/day for BearVault (BV) and $3/day for Backpackers' Cache ("Garcia")

Bear Canister Sizes & Capacity

Large (5–7 days for 1 person)
Bear Vault BV500
Backpackers’ Cache (“Garcia”)
Best for longer trips or carrying food for multiple people.

Also available: Bear Vault BV475 – fits about 4–5 days for one person, or 2–3 days for two people with careful packing.

Medium (3–4 days for 1 person)
Bear Vault BV450
Great for long weekend trips.

Small (1–2 days for 1 person)
Bear Vault BV425
Ideal for overnight or short weekend trips.

For multi-night trips, we also recommend bringing a reliable sleeping pad and backpacking pack for comfort and efficiency.

Mount Whitney backpackers: Wag bags are required in the Whitney Zone for all overnight trips—be sure to bring one for your trip.

Need help choosing? Call us during store hours, email info@eastsidesports.com, or ask our knowledgeable staff when you pick your bear canister up in the store.

Please note that all our rentals are for pick up in store only. We do not ship rental items.

Bear Canister Rental FAQ

Are bear canisters required in Yosemite National Park?
Yes, bear canisters are required for all overnight wilderness trips in Yosemite National Park. You can review Yosemite bear canister requirements for full details.

Do I need a bear canister for Mount Whitney?
Yes, bear canisters are required in the Whitney Zone, and wag bags are also required for all overnight trips.

Where can I rent a bear canister for Yosemite or Mount Whitney?
You can rent a bear canister directly from us for your trip, with multiple sizes available depending on your trip length.

What size bear canister do I need for my trip?
Most backpackers choose a large canister for trips longer than 3 days. Smaller options work well for overnight or weekend trips.

Can I hang food instead of using a bear canister?
No, food hanging is not allowed or effective in many areas of the High Sierra due to lack of trees and bear activity.

Can I pick up my bear canister rental before my trip?
Yes, all rentals are picked up in-store before your trip. We’ll have your canister ready for you at pickup.