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Denning activities and den characteristics of black bears (Ursus americanus) were studied in west-central Idaho during 1973-77. Den entry and emergence varied among bears and years, and the denning season extended from mid-October until mid-April. Thirty-one radio-instrumented bears were handled 83 times in 65 different dens. Forty-seven (72%) of the 65 dens were ground dens excavated into a hillside or under the base of a tree, stump, or shrub. Thirteen (20%) dens were located in the base of hollow trees and 5 (8%) in hollow logs or rock cavities. Bears denned at various elevations, slopes, and aspects, and under a variety of canopy coverages, but some selection for snow and vegetative cover characteristics at different elevations and aspects was noted. No significant differences in den dimensions were noted for specific sex or age classes of bears, except that adult males dug larger entrances (P < 0.05) than other bears. Four instances of den reuse were observed.