Black bears are visible in and around campgrounds at Voyageurs National Park/NPS file

Humans aren't the only ones heading to the parks. At Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota, there's be a noticeable increase in black bear activity in campsites throughout the park, so be sure to store your foods and scented items properly if you're planning to camp there.

Voyageurs staff says dry conditions in the park leading to a lack of natural foods could be a factor in why bears are more active this time of year. Too, they could be drawn out by more human activity and the possibility of obtaining food from those humans.

Park staff would like to remind visitors to take precautions by storing food properly and picking up trash at campsites. Here are some suggestions to keep you and wildlife safe while visiting bear country:

• Store food in established bear-proof food lockers at campsites. When camping, keep all scented items (e.g., food, garbage, toiletries such as toothpaste, soap, and scented lip balm) locked in a food locker.
• Hang food in trees 10-feet up and 4-feet out when there is no food locker provided.
• Keep your campsite clean and free of things that may attract bears.
• Always keep your pets leashed and attended to.
• Houseboaters should keep all food inside the closed cabin area. 
• If you have a close encounter with a bear, do not approach it. Do not run; step back slowly. Haze it by yelling and waving your arms to scare it away.

Report all bear encounters and sightings to Voyageurs National Park staff by speaking with a ranger or calling park headquarters at (218) 283-6600.