Dayripping: Face-to-face with bears ... in Cougar country

April 29, 2024

Kaylee Brewster, for Daytripping

ABOVE: Three of the nearly dozen grizzlies held at Washington State University’s Bear Center are seen snacking on the other side of a series of wire fencing at the center in Pullman. LEFT: Megan Forbes, left, of Louisville, Ky., and Laurie Arp, of Dublin, Ohio, gaze in amazement at roaming grizzly bears at Washington State University’s Bear Center in Pullman. Arp and Forbes, who are visiting for work, said they were told they must visit the bears while in town. They both confirmed it was worth the long walk from their hotel up the road. BELOW: One of the nearly dozen grizzlies held at the bear center is seen through a series of wire fencing.Zach Wilkinson/Tribune

One of the nearly dozen grizzlies held at Washington State University’s Bear Center is seen through a series of wire fencing in Pullman.Zach Wilkinson/Tribune

Megan Forbes, left, of Louisville, Ky., and Laurie Arp, of Dublin, Ohio, gaze in amazement at roaming grizzly bears at Washington State University’s Bear Center in Pullman. Arp and Forbes, who are visiting for work, said they were told they must visit the bears while in town. They both confirmed it was worth the long walk from their hotel up the road.Zach Wilkinson/Tribune

Terry Hotchkiss, from left, Thelma Razor and Mary Hotchkiss examine an informational sign at Washington State University’s Bear Center in Pullman.Zach Wilkinson/Tribune

This story originally appeared in our Daytripping section on May 19, 2022

While many people find grizzly bears cute and cuddly, few want to get up close and personal with one in the wild.

Fortunately, the Washington State University Bear Center lets you do some of that at a safe distance.

The WSU Bear Research, Education and Conservation Center allows biologists the opportunity to study the bears to help understand and manage wild grizzly bears.

That means visitors also have the opportunity to observe the animals.

In the warmer months, bears can be seen from a viewing area in the parking lot.

The area provides space for the bears to forage for food or play with equipment and in the pools.

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The facility has six outdoor and indoor runs and dens, along with a 2.2-acre yard.

There are currently no bear viewings inside the building or formal tour of the bear center, but a new facility is being proposed to offer more educational opportunities for the public. n

WSU Bear Center

LOCATION: The Bear Center is located on the east side of Pullman. While traveling on the Pullman Moscow Highway, turn on Terre View Drive. The center is along Terre View Drive, between Grimes Way and Animal Sciences Road.

WHAT YOU’LL DO: Watch bears being cute.

DIFFICULTY: 1 out of 5. (Unless the mere sight of massive grizzly bears causes you stress.)

DON’T FORGET: Camera.

NEARBY SITES OF INTEREST: A trip to WSU wouldn’t be complete without stopping at Ferdinand’s Ice Cream Shoppe for a scoop of ice cream or some Cougar Gold cheese. Located on Ferdinand’s Lane, just five minutes from the bear center. There is also an observation room at Ferdinand’s that lets visitors watch the dairy-making process.

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