Bear Canister Food Packing Calculator
Calculate how much food fits in your bear canister.
Plan your backcountry food storage to meet national park regulations.
Canister Coverage
Bear canisters are required in many US and international national parks for overnight backcountry camping. The canister must hold all food, trash, and scented items for your entire trip.
Common bear canister volumes:
| Canister | Volume | Weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BearVault BV200 | 0.95 L | 510g | Solo overnights |
| BearVault BV450 | 7.2 L | 595g | Solo 4-5 days |
| BearVault BV500 | 11.1 L | 800g | Most popular |
| Counter Assault UDAP | 7.2 L | 680g | Round shape |
| Garcia Machine | 8.5 L | 907g | Widest acceptance |
| Lighter1 Big Daddy | 12.7 L | 765g | Group trips |
Packing density of backcountry food:
- Freeze-dried meals (in pouch): ~1.3 kg/L
- Dehydrated meals: ~1.1 kg/L
- Bars and snacks: ~0.7 kg/L
- Mixed trail food (typical): ~0.9 kg/L
Typical food volume by meal type:
- Breakfast (oatmeal, bars): ~200–300 mL per person-day
- Lunch (bars, crackers, nuts): ~300–400 mL per person-day
- Dinner (freeze-dried): ~300–400 mL per person-day
- Snacks and extras: ~200 mL per person-day
- Total per person-day: ~1.0–1.3 L
Pro tips:
- Remove all food from bulky packaging before the trip to save 20–30% volume
- Repack into zip-lock bags or small containers
- Liquid soap, toothpaste, sunscreen, and chapstick must also go in the canister in most parks