BEAR AWARE: BLM Closes Fan Creek Campground Due to Bear Activity
SALEM, Ore. – A mother bear and her cub have been aggressively looking for food in and around Fan Creek Campground, on the Nestucca River Corridor, roughly twenty-five miles west of McMinnville. In the interest of public safety, Bureau of Land Management officials have temporarily closed the campground.
“The bears have been threatening to visitors, and they do not seem to be afraid of humans,” said Janet Satter, Tillamook Field Manager. “For everyone's safety, the campground is closed for the time being.”
“We are reaching out to visitors with impacted reservations, and we thank them for their flexibility and for respecting this temporary closure,” Satter added.
The BLM offers alternative camping options along the Nestucca River Corridor, at Dovre and Alder Glen campgrounds. Both sites take reservations.
BLM officials are working with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to address the public safety risk.
The BLM always urges visitors to take extra precautions in bear country. Simple actions—like giving bears space, securing food and knowing what to do before you enter public lands—can protect visitors and bears. If you encounter a bear, stay calm, speak in a steady voice, back away slowly and do not make sudden movements. Visitors should report bear encounters to BLM field offices as soon as it is safe to do so.
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.