How to Hang a Bear Bag

Why Bear Bags Matter

A bear bag is your primary defense against losing food and attracting bears to your campsite. The goal is simple: hang your food far enough away and high enough up that bears can't reach it. The PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) method is the most reliable hanging technique taught on long-distance trails, and it works without special equipment.

What You Need

• Nylon rope or paracord — 50+ feet minimum. Use a thinner diameter (under 5mm) to make loops harder for bears to bite through.
• A bear bag — Any waterproof stuff sack or heavy-duty garbage bag works.
• Carabiner or small loop — Optional but helpful for rigging.
• Suitable trees — Two trees 12-15 feet apart, with branches high enough and strong enough.

Choose Your Trees and Branch

Scout your area before dark. Look for two trees that are 12-15 feet apart. Your branch should be at least 12-15 feet high, at least 6 inches in diameter where it attaches to the trunk, and capable of supporting weight without sagging excessively. Dead branches crack and drop under load. Test the branch by jumping on it or throwing a stick across it before you commit your food.

Ideally, find a branch with a slight downward angle away from the tree trunk. This makes the setup easier and keeps your bag further from the trunk where bears might shimmy up.

Tie One End to the First Tree

Throw or toss your rope over the branch on one of the trees, then throw it over the branch on the second tree so the rope forms a line connecting both branches. The rope should hang loosely with at least 3-4 feet of slack in the middle when no weight is applied.

Tie a secure knot at the first tree (around 4-5 feet up the trunk or to the base of the first branch). Use a figure-eight or bowline knot — something that won't slip under load. This anchor point prevents the entire system from shifting sideways when you hoist the bag.

Hoist the Bag

Stuff all your food into your bear bag. This includes anything with a smell: dinner, breakfast, snacks, trash, toiletries, and sunscreen. If it has a scent, it goes in the bag.

Tie the other end of the rope to your bear bag using a carabiner loop or a secure loop knot. Pull down on the rope to hoist the bag up toward the midpoint between both branches. The bag should hang roughly 12-15 feet high and at least 5-6 feet away from each tree trunk.

Once the bag is at height, you may need to adjust. If it's too low, pull more rope from the other end. The final position is critical: the bag should be high enough that a bear standing on hind legs cannot reach it, and far enough from the trunks that a bear cannot jump or stretch from either tree to grab it.

Secure the Rope on the Second Tree

With the bag hoisted, wrap the rope around the second tree at roughly the same height as your first anchor (4-5 feet up). Tie it off firmly using the same secure knot (figure-eight or bowline). The rope should be tight enough that the bag doesn't sag more than a few feet when bearing full weight.

Test the setup by pulling down on the bag. It should be stable with no excessive swinging or sagging toward either tree. If it sags too much toward one tree, one of your anchor points is too low — adjust and retie.

Troubleshooting

The bag sags into bear reach even when hoisted: Your trees are either too close together or too weak. Move to a different pair of trees. The midpoint between two branches 15 feet apart at a high hanging point is your best chance.

You can't find suitable trees: Use a bear canister if available in your area (required in many national parks). If no canister and no trees, store food in your vehicle or use a bear box at a campground. Never leave food unattended in your tent.

Your rope is too short: Use the extra rope you have or fashion an extension from paracord and your stuff sack straps, though this weakens the system. Consider carrying a longer rope on future trips — the weight is worth the security.

The bag swings sideways constantly: Make sure both anchor points are equally tight. A loose anchor on one side allows the entire line to rotate. Tighten the rope on the looser side.

Final Check

Before you walk away, verify three things: the bag hangs 12-15 feet high, it's at least 5-6 feet away from both tree trunks, and both anchor knots are secure and tight. If a bear were standing on hind legs at the base of either tree, it should not be able to reach or jump for your bag.

The PCT method works because it distributes the weight across two stable points and keeps food too high and too far for bears to retrieve. It requires no special equipment and works in most backcountry environments with suitable trees. Practice this during the day before your trip so you can execute it quickly at camp.