Bear activity closes St. Mary Campground

St. Mary Campground on the east side of Glacier National Park has been closed temporarily.

The campground has had a recent increase in black and grizzly bear activity.

It is unknown when the campground will reopen, according to a news release from Glacier Park.

Earlier this week, the campground was limited to hard-sided camping.

Since that announcement, however, bear activity in and around the campground has increased, and efforts to haze the bears away from the area have been unsuccessful.

For public and bear safety issues, the campground will be closed until bear activity decreases.

At this time of year, bears are entering a phase called hyperphagia, a period of concentrated feeding to prepare for hibernation.

This year there has been an exceptionally abundant crop of berries located in the campground, attracting bears to the area.