Do Coyotes Attack Humans At Night (In a Tent)?

Campers tend to love everything about the great outdoors. The stars at night. A gentle breeze. A swim in a cool stream or a sunrise over the mountains. Hiking with your dog along a favorite trail. Pitching the tent in the same favorite spot, year after year.

But these natural wonders aren’t ours alone to enjoy, and you might find yourself with some unwelcome wildlife visitors at your campsite. You may encounter large and small animals lurking outside your tent. Is it possible that coyotes could be among them, and will coyotes attack humans in a tent?

Coyotes and Camping Safety: What You Should Know

Coyote attacks are still relatively uncommon, despite what may seem like growing fears about these wild animals.

Every camper should take the proper precautions regarding wildlife (which means not only coyotes but also bears, mountain lions, and other animals), but this does not mean you should spend your entire camping trip huddled inside your tent in fear.

Some common-sense precautions will keep you safe from animals while out in the great outdoors:

• Always keep food sealed at your campsite and never feed any wildlife (no matter how “cute” the animal may seem!). Coyotes who are fed human food will become less fearful of you.
• Remember that the scent of dogs will attract coyotes; it is best to have your dogs neutered to prevent this (or do not take dogs camping in an area where you think coyotes may be present).
• Use noise to deter aggressive coyotes from entering your campsite (in a pinch, you can also throw large stones or sticks toward them).
• Learn how to spot coyotes, which may be confused with wolves.

Coyotes Versus Wolves

It’s easy to confuse coyotes and wolves, but one distinguishing feature to look for is a patch of white fur (on the animal’s throat or chest), which is common for coyotes.

A coyote will also have a high-pitched cry, whereas a wolf will howl in a lower tone. As they run, coyotes keep their tails between their legs. Coyotes also have pointy, upright ears. Depending on where you live, they can be seen in large national parks like Yellowstone National Park and Yosemite National Park or even in your backyard.

Will a Coyote Attack Me in My Tent?

For some campers, the nighttime can be scary. Even while zipped up snugly into a sleeping bag inside your tent, you may be wondering what animals lurk outside, and you might fear everything from a coyote to a grizzly bear attacking your beloved dog.

The odds are incredibly low that a coyote would attack you in your tent. They typically avoid humans and attack smaller prey such as rabbits or reptiles.

It is not completely unheard of, however, for a coyote to attack a dog or even a small child, but a scenario where they would enter a tent to do so would be incredibly rare.

Some researchers believe that the frequency of coyote attacks has increased as the coyote population increases, and they may depend more on humans for food.

Therefore, keeping your food sealed at a campsite is the best thing you can do to keep coyotes away. Food storage should be one of your top priorities as you pack and plan for your camping trip.

Also, for added reassurance for nervous campers, be sure you have a “noise maker” in your tent that you can grab quickly in the night if you hear creatures outside.

One More Thing: Bears Behaving Badly

Remember that bears can be a challenge for tent campers, too, and you may be better served to spend your time thinking about and planning how to prevent bear attacks than worrying about coyotes.

Bear encounters are a distinct possibility at many campgrounds, and the National Park Service has some great tips for bear safety. Animals are a reality of camping, and the best and most prepared campers know how to live alongside the wildlife safely.