Hard canister · BearVault
BearVault BV500 Journey: where is it legal?
BearVault BV500 Journey is accepted (legal or likely legal) in 33 of the 58 areas we cover, and fails the rule in 0. In 12 more areas no canister is required.
About this canister
- 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
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.
Detailed answers
- Yosemite National ParkLegal
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon NPs - Rae Lakes LoopLegal
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon NPs - other backcountryAllowed, not required
- Rocky Mountain National ParkLikely legal
- Glacier National ParkLegal
- Grand Teton National ParkLegal
- Yellowstone National ParkAllowed, not required
- Denali National Park & PreserveLegal
- North Cascades National Park ComplexLegal
- Olympic National ParkLegal
- Lassen Volcanic National ParkLegal
- Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & PreserveLegal
- Katmai National Park & PreserveLegal
- Gates of the Arctic National Park & PreserveLegal
- Glacier Bay National Park & PreserveAllowed, not required
- Great Smoky Mountains National ParkNo canister rule
- Mount Rainier National ParkNo canister rule
- Shenandoah National ParkAllowed, not required
- Inyo NF - Mt. Whitney zoneLegal
- Inyo NF - Kearsarge PassLegal
- Inyo NF - Mammoth Lakes / Rush CreekLegal
- Inyo NF - other wildernessAllowed, not required
- John Muir WildernessLegal
- Ansel Adams WildernessLegal
- Sierra NF wildernessesAllowed, not required
- Desolation WildernessLegal
- Hoover WildernessLikely legal
- Emigrant WildernessNo canister rule
- Trinity Alps - Canyon & Swift CreeksLegal
- Mt. Shasta WildernessNo canister rule
- Indian Peaks WildernessLegal
- Maroon Bells-Snowmass WildernessLegal
- White River NFAllowed, not required
- Weminuche WildernessNo canister rule
- Bridger-Teton NFAllowed, not required
- Custer Gallatin NFAllowed, not required
- Shoshone NFAllowed, not required
- Caribou-Targhee NFAllowed, not required
- NCDE national forestsAllowed, not required
- Pisgah NF - Shining RockLikely legal
- Adirondack Eastern High Peaks WildernessLikely legal
Verdict in every area
Legal29 areas
- Yosemite National Park
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon NPs - Dusy Basin
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon NPs - Rae Lakes Loop
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon NPs - North Dome
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon NPs - Rock Creek
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon NPs - Pear & Emerald Lakes
- Glacier National Park
- Grand Teton National Park
- Denali National Park & Preserve
- North Cascades National Park Complex
- Olympic National Park
- Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve
- Katmai National Park & Preserve
- Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve
- Inyo NF - Bishop Pass / Treasure Lakes
- Inyo NF - Cottonwood Lakes
- Inyo NF - Duck Pass / Purple Lake
- Inyo NF - Fish Creek
- Inyo NF - Kearsarge Pass
- Inyo NF - Little Lakes Valley
- Inyo NF - Mammoth Lakes / Rush Creek
- Inyo NF - Mt. Whitney zone
- John Muir Wilderness
- Ansel Adams Wilderness
- Desolation Wilderness
- Trinity Alps - Canyon & Swift Creeks
- Indian Peaks Wilderness
- Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness
Likely legal4 areas
Allowed, not required13 areas
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon NPs - other backcountry
- Yellowstone National Park
- Shenandoah National Park
- Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
- Inyo NF - other wilderness
- Sierra NF wildernesses
- Trinity Alps - other areas
- White River NF
- Bridger-Teton NF
- Custer Gallatin NF
- Shoshone NF
- Caribou-Targhee NF
- NCDE national forests
No canister rule12 areas
Quick answers
Where is the BearVault BV500 Journey legal?
33 areas, including Yosemite National Park, Sequoia & Kings Canyon NPs - Dusy Basin, Sequoia & Kings Canyon NPs - Rae Lakes Loop, Sequoia & Kings Canyon NPs - North Dome, Sequoia & Kings Canyon NPs - Rock Creek, Sequoia & Kings Canyon NPs - Pear & Emerald Lakes. See the full list on this page.
Is the BearVault BV500 Journey approved in Yosemite and Sequoia & Kings Canyon?
Yes. It is on the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee-approved list the parks follow.
Where does the BearVault BV500 Journey fail?
We found no area where a required canister rule rules it out.
Sources and date checked
Checked . We link the official pages so you can read the rule yourself.