I've gone down a rabbit hole on the internet and now I don't know what's realistic.

Going camping this weekend with my girlfriend, we're sleeping in the back of the 4Runner so most of our gear will be put on the roofrack or under the awning while sleeping.

We won't be at a campground where there are bear boxes, it'll be remote in George Washington National Forest and requires some offroading to get to our destination. All of that to say, not sure about whether bears/wildlife stay away from the area due to less foot traffic. I am used to camping at campgrounds with bear boxes in CA but now we're over in VA and I'm not sure how aggressive the bears are here (doing research on that now).

We have a yeti cooler, some locks and 11ft of chain and just plan to loop it around the base of a tree at night and hope for the best.

I guess I'm confused because I read everywhere that you shouldn't keep food in your vehicle and it should be hung in a tree or in a bear bag or whatever... but people have their dometic coolers in the truck, dry food in a paper bag, etc and don't seem bothered?

Would really appreciate your thoughts, suggestions or feedback. (did I drink the coolaid in buying the yeti?)

Yes you may have drank Koolaid on the Yetti but it does have it 's merits.

Disclaimer: I know nothing of Virginia but have fair amount of time in bear country. Here in MN and Ontario

The number #1 rule of camping in bear country is keep a clean camp. garbage and food around are the main reasons for problems. If you pull up and see whoever was there before didn't follow this rule then maybe move on to another site.

Yetti - If you leave it outside lock down the corners. Instead of the expensive locks just get some bolts, washers, and wingnuts from the hardware store. This is one major reason for me owning a Yetti.

Personally I don't get too carried away with car camping to hang my food. In vehicle or in a locked cooler work for me. Backpacking or canoeing, that's when I hang the food/garbage.

I camp in the GWNF and Shenandoah a few times a year, for 25+ years now.

When car camping, we have never had a problem keeping the Yeti cooler outside, locked up.

Out of curiosity, where are you headed to?

This is great info and I like the idea with bolts/washers and wingnuts. Already had some locks but may switch those out so we don't have to worry about losing the lock keys.

Good deal. I feel more at ease in doing exactly this.

Heading up to Flagpole Knob area Friday night, going to find a spot somewhere up there and then venture around on Saturday on the trails (Briery Branch Gap and Reddish Knob). Any recommendations for either camping spots, offroad trails or hiking?

Thank you both!

Spend a ton of time in backcountry of Washington, Idaho, and Montana. Keep in mind most anything with a scent can attract bears including garbage, toothpaste and even your used toothbrush. We tend to store even our toiletries in a bear “proof” box away from where we are sleeping. Since you’re sleeping in a hard sided vehicle, a bear getting to you shouldn’t be a huge concern. Just be smart and keep everything clean around you and your campsite.


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FWIW I did a few years of ground tent camping with the 4Runner, and then 2 seasons of RTT camping, both of which really being relegated to drive-up sites, and I always put the food and garbage in the vehicle, and no critter has invaded the 4Runner to get them. Highly contextual: I don't know how many bears wandered through, likely few to none, and mostly the activity was raccoons and similar.

The problem referenced in the OP about sleeping IN the 4Runner and hence having limitations on the gear storage... I've done this once, in a situation where a rainstorm led to a redwood branch crushing the tent, s we moved into the truck... I put food and waste each in separate tupperware storage bins. So, one each were simply put in the front driver and passenger seats cattywampus at angles, like they are driving, ha.

These days it's easy because we are in the tent above and anything we want to have in the truck has plenty of room. HOWEVER we now have a german shepherd so upcoming season camping I suspect we'll have her in a crate in the truck beneath us, changing the equation.

Final note: on trips where we don't bring the bikes, I've been using a hitch-mount box rack. We got it originally for ski trips, and I put the tupperware storage bins on it, and there's a tarp type thing that goes over it and it's all cinched down and weatherproof (or you can use the actual cargo boxes) so... its been really easy with the extra room. I put a lot of stuff on that and not in the truck. Doesn't help with the bear situation, but general cargo expansion, for those like us with a RTT...

Like this: Amazon.com: CURT 18153 60 x 24-Inch Basket Hitch Cargo Carrier, 500 lbs Capacity, Black Steel, 2-In Folding Shank : Automotive

Like Pat said above look around the site for evidence a bear has recently been there, and also look around for food or garbage that could be laying around in camp or on the outskirts of camp.

If none of that exists by far your biggest problem if have one is the small rodents. They cause almost all of the problems for backpackers.

I have slept with food in my 4Runner and would do it again. I also slept with food in my backpacking tent along a trail before in bear country. I do use a aloksak food bag when I backpack. That’s something you could check out, but I don’t think it’s necessary with the vehicle. There only as good as the food that’s on your hands when you zip it close.

Edit: Food in the tent wasn’t a great idea, but I was suffering from heat exhaustion on a long hike with unforcasted higher temps and with all of the puke around my tent it wasn’t much of a difference. Certain I had heat stroke, as the effects have been long lasting.

the only rule i follow is I don't sleep with food in my tent, but thats because its a soft sided enclosure.

If i were to car camp, I would try to not sleep with food in the car, but obviously, that might be impossible (fridge, big coolers, etc).

I tend to pack all food into air tight containers anyways, i try to be really careful snacking in the car. If i drop something, I'm going to try and find it at the next gas station or stop (especially in bear country). i don't cook in the cargo area like all the instafakers like to do in bear country. If i was in the desert, then cooking/food isn't a problem.

I use bear box's if they were available, but typically where i camp, they aren't readily available.

Carry bear spray, something that makes lots of noise or a 10mm glock....

Rodents are a huge problem. More than once, rodents have disabled vehicles in camp by eating wires or building nests in engine bays. They can destroy your vehicle's electrical system in one night. I've been lucky...my buddies have not.

Am I the only one who has witnessed first hand how a bear can rip doors, trunks and hatches off of vehicles if they really want in? I'm not saying I never keep coolers in the car, but if they want in, they will get in. It can get expensive.

Black or Grizzly?

And in all honesty, I’m generally more concerned about big cats, wolves, and big ass Moose. Pissed off moose will ruin your day

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Nope. Seen that. Well, I've seen a vehicle after the bear got at it, but not live.

I don't think it's common at all, but it is possible.

Zarges K470 Aluminum Hard Protective Carrying Case model numbers 40678 and 40810 are IGBC Certified grizzly bear resistant and fit well in the back, so it's possible to use for food storage outside the vehicle if needed. But not cheap!

Other products here.

Lot of good info in this thread. Don't forget noise makers like those pocket air horns as well.

The most interesting I remember were Yosemite bears that actually knew which model minivan was easiest to break into. The would actually target those specifically on the rear window and bypass other cars. Cool videos.

I actually know of more vehicle damage caused by porcupines eating tires/break lines/rubber parts than I do by bears.

I also sleep in my 4Runner, just finished camping/off roading in WV/VA and the George Washington National Forest back in june/july. I have a RTIC cooler that kept things cold for ~3 days and it would always go on my passenger seat at night. Great cooler, air tight.

The key thing is a clean campsite and proper storage of garbage and food. Ideally a good bear bag hanging from a tree is best for tent camping but that yeti will conceal smell and can be kept in the vehicle. Garbage should go in an airtight bag if put in the vehicle.

Your biggest concern are Black bears which are rather small and do avoid people. I never had an issue keeping things in the vehicle if properly sealed.

The area you will be in will have black bears but i have camped alongside bears in the NE for many many years, they pose little threat if you don't bother them. Now if you were doing this in March they may be a little daring due to hunger.

You will be fine, keep a clean campsite and air tight seal for anything that may smell. I would also bet you 4R panic button will scare off any Black bear trying to mess around.

Hey there! Camping in the wilderness is always an adventure. It's wise to be cautious with bears around. Using your Yeti cooler with locks and a chain should work as a deterrent. Just ensure your food is securely stored, and you should be fine. Better safe than sorry! Also, it's better to prepare food there here's a guide on how to make Korean corn dog. Enjoy your camping trip and the beautiful George Washington National Forest!