Shenandoah National Park · National Park Service
Is the BearVault BV500 Journey legal in Shenandoah National Park?
Allowed, not required
Allowed, but Shenandoah National Park does not require a canister.
Canister preferred but not required (hang is also allowed). If you choose to carry the BearVault BV500 Journey, it would be accepted. On the Yosemite/SEKI (SIBBG-derived) list as reproduced by NPS.
Heads-up before you rely on this
Rules change. Confirm with the land manager (links below) before you go.
What this means
This area accepts only containers that appear on a named list (the SIBBG-derived list as published by NPS). A canister missing from the list is not accepted, even if another agency or lab has certified it.
Reading note. Shenandoah National Park does not require a canister. The verdict describes whether this model would count as an accepted container if you choose to use one as your food storage.
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 Shenandoah National Park
- Requirement
- Canister preferred but not required (hang is also allowed).
- Accepted
- SIBBG-based list reproduced on NPS page
- Dates
- Per page
- Source updated
- 2025-06-26
- Checked
- 2026-10-26 · verified
- Our notes
- Rule logic uses the SIBBG list reproduced by NPS; Shenandoah text beyond that not exhaustively checked.
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 Shenandoah National Park
| Canister | Verdict | Weight | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| BearVault BV450 Jaunt | Allowed, not required | 2 lb 1 oz | 7.2 L |
| UDAP No-Fed-Bear | Allowed, not required | 2.4 lb | 8.2 (derived from cu in) L |
| BearVault BV250 | Allowed, not required | n/a | n/a |
| BearVault BV300 | Allowed, not required | n/a | n/a |
| BearVault BV350 | Allowed, not required | n/a | n/a |
| BearVault BV400 | Allowed, not required | n/a | n/a |
The BearVault BV500 Journey under nearby rules
- Rocky Mountain National Park Hard-sided, lockable, commercially made canister required for wilderness overnight camping; hanging not permit… Likely legal
- Mount Rainier National Park Hang or use food-storage poles; canister highly recommended in sub-alpine areas, not required. No canister rule
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon NPs - Pear & Emerald Lakes Canister required in the Pear and Emerald Lakes areas. Legal
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon NPs - Rae Lakes Loop Canister required in the Rae Lakes Loop. Legal
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon NPs - other backcountry Canister highly recommended elsewhere; hanging/other methods allowed outside the required zones. Allowed, not required
- Yellowstone National Park Canister not required: food-pole hang or IGBC hard-sided container; soft-sided containers not allowed. Allowed, not required
Quick answers
Is the BearVault BV500 Journey legal in Shenandoah National Park?
Allowed, but Shenandoah National Park does not require a canister. Canister preferred but not required (hang is also allowed). If you choose to carry the BearVault BV500 Journey, it would be accepted. On the Yosemite/SEKI (SIBBG-derived) list as reproduced by NPS.
What does Shenandoah National Park require for food storage?
Canister preferred but not required (hang is also allowed). Accepted standard: SIBBG-based list reproduced on NPS page.
How current is this answer?
We checked Shenandoah National Park's official source on 2026-10-26. 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.