Hoover Wilderness · US Forest Service
Is the BearVault BV500 Journey legal in Hoover Wilderness?
Likely legal
Probably, but nobody has confirmed it by name. Hoover Wilderness names no approved list.
Securable, solid, non-pliable container rated for at least 300 ft-lb required for unattended food; hanging/guarding not allowed. The BearVault BV500 Journey is a recognised hard canister (IGBC cert. 5340), so it should satisfy the written standard. Area text names no approved list. Listed hard canister expected to satisfy the written standard; confirm with the local office. Order requires 300 ft-lb rating; confirm certification meets it.
Heads-up before you rely on this
- Source page shows no date. The official page does not show a "last updated" date we could capture. We record the day we read it instead.
Verify with the land manager before you go. This pair carries open questions, listed above, and rules change.
What this means
Because the rule names no list, treat this as likely rather than certain and confirm with the local office before you rely on it.
The written rule asks for a hard-sided, solid or non-pliable container but names no approved list. A commercially made hard canister that is on a recognised list should meet the standard; a soft bag does not.
About this model. Discrepancy: BearVault's BV500 page cites IGBC #5339, while the IGBC list (Jul 31, 2026) shows BV450=5339 and BV500=5340. Using the IGBC list.
The rule in Hoover Wilderness
- Requirement
- Securable, solid, non-pliable container rated for at least 300 ft-lb required for unattended food; hanging/guarding not allowed.
- Accepted
- No list named; 300 foot-pound rating standard
- Order
- 04-17-23-06
- Dates
- Order 04-17-23-06, 2023-07-17 to 2028-07-17
- Source updated
- alert page (date not captured)
- Checked
- 2026-10-26 · verified
- Our notes
- Whether IGBC/SIBBG listing satisfies the 300 ft-lb wording needs verification.
About the BearVault BV500 Journey
- Volume
- 11.5 L (700 cu in)
- Weight
- 2 lb 9 oz (1.16 kg)
- Material
- Rugged polycarbonate and other resins
- IGBC certified
- Yes (cert. 5340)
- On Yosemite / SEKI list
- Yes
- On Olympic list
- Yes
- Spec source
- manufacturer page fetched directly
Specs come from the sources named in "Spec source" and many are incomplete. See every area where the BearVault BV500 Journey is accepted or not →
What else works in Hoover Wilderness
| Canister | Verdict | Weight | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| BearVault BV ONE Adjustable | Likely legal | 1 lb 15 oz (895 g) | 8.3 expanded / 4.65 collapsed L |
| BearVault BV425 Sprint | Likely legal | 1 lb 12 oz | 5 L |
| BearVault BV450 Jaunt | Likely legal | 2 lb 1 oz | 7.2 L |
| BearVault BV475 Trek | Likely legal | 2 lb 4 oz | 9.3 L |
| Grub Can Wave 6.6 L | Likely legal | 1 lb 15 oz | 6.6 L |
| Grub Can Wave 10.0 L | Likely legal | n/a | 10.0 L |
The BearVault BV500 Journey under nearby rules
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon NPs - Pear & Emerald Lakes Canister required in the Pear and Emerald Lakes areas. Legal
- Custer Gallatin NF IGBC list or courtesy inspection container, or a hang. Allowed, not required
- Sierra NF wildernesses Canister OR counterbalance hang. Allowed, not required
- Trinity Alps - other areas Elsewhere any bear-proof system designed to prevent access by bears must be used (canister not specifically re… Allowed, not required
- Pisgah NF - Shining Rock All overnight campers must use commercially made, solid, non-pliable bear-resistant canisters for food, refuse… Likely legal
Quick answers
Is the BearVault BV500 Journey legal in Hoover Wilderness?
Probably, but nobody has confirmed it by name. Hoover Wilderness names no approved list. Securable, solid, non-pliable container rated for at least 300 ft-lb required for unattended food; hanging/guarding not allowed. The BearVault BV500 Journey is a recognised hard canister (IGBC cert. 5340), so it should satisfy the written standard. Area text names no approved list. Listed hard canister expected to satisfy the written standard; confirm with the local office. Order requires 300 ft-lb rating; confirm certification meets it.
What does Hoover Wilderness require for food storage?
Securable, solid, non-pliable container rated for at least 300 ft-lb required for unattended food; hanging/guarding not allowed. Accepted standard: No list named; 300 foot-pound rating standard.
How current is this answer?
We checked Hoover Wilderness's official source on 2026-10-26. Source page shows no date. Rules change, so confirm with the land manager before you go.
Sources and date checked
Checked . We link the official pages so you can read the rule yourself.