Food Storage Containers For Rent

The bear-resistant food storage container rental program is administered by the parks' non-profit partner, Sequoia Parks Conservancy. All proceeds go towards protecting black bears.

The Conservancy’s mission is to enhance public understanding and appreciation of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Lake Kaweah, and other areas of the National Park System.

Bear-resistant food storage containers are available for rent at the following visitor centers in our parks:

• Foothills Visitor Center (only rents Garcia Backpacker’s Cache containers)
• Giant Forest Museum (only rents Garcia Backpacker’s Cache containers)
• Kings Canyon Visitor Center (only rents Garcia Backpacker’s Cache containers)
• Mineral King Ranger Station (rents Garcia, Wild Ideas Weekender and Expedition, and BearVault BV450 Solo containers)

Note: Cedar Grove does not have bear-resistant food storage containers available for rent. The closest rental to Cedar Grove is the Kings Canyon Visitor Center.

 

The BearVault Model BV450 Solo is the smallest food storage container for rent. It is suitable for 6 person-days of food and weighs 1 lb. 6 oz. and is 8.7” in diameter and 8.3” tall.

 

The Garcia Backpackers Cache 812 will hold 6 person-days of food. The container weighs 2 lbs. 11 oz. and is 8.8” diameter by 12” tall.

 

The Wild Ideas Weekender food storage container will hold 6 person-days of food, and weighs in at 1 lb. 15 oz. It is 9” in diameter by 10.5” tall.

 

The Wild Ideas Expedition food storage container will fit 9 person-days of food. It weighs 2 lb. 5 oz. and is 9” in diameter by 14.5” tall.

 

Rental Fees

BearVault and Garcia containers: $5 for 3 nights, and $2 each additional night.
Wild Ideas containers (both sizes): $6 for first night, and $3 each additional night.

Credit card required for security deposit. No charge will apply if container is returned on due date at the station originally rented from and in a clean condition. See below for details on extra fees.

Instructions for Returning Canisters

Containers should be returned to the same permit station from which it was rented, if possible. Containers must be cleaned before returning. A $15 fee will be charged for a container that is not received in a clean condition, or is returned by via mail with a mailing label adhered to it.

If no staff are on duty, place containers in the following locations:

• Mineral King, behind ranger station at Mineral King
• Foothills Visitor Center back door (along sidewalk, near picnic table)
• Lodepole Visitor Center back patio

Return By Mail

In the event you are not able to return the food storage container in person, it mail be mailed but must be placed in a box. A $15 fee will be charged for a container that is returned by mail with labels on it. To return a container by mail request a return mailing label when paying the rental fees. A $10 fee will be charged for any container returned by mail, due to extra days it is unavailable for rental. You will be charged if the container is lost in the mail (insurance can be obtained from the post office). You will be responsible for recovering this cost from the post office. We allow 5 days from the end of your trip for the container to reach us by mail. If container is not returned or is damaged due to negligence, the renter’s credit card will be charged $90 for a Garcia or BearVault and $235 for a Wild Ideas containers.