Think about standing just some toes away from a large brown Grizzly bear, its highly effective type transferring gracefully by the luxurious Alaskan wilderness.
Bear viewing in Alaska isn’t just a visit; it’s an exhilarating journey that immerses you within the uncooked great thing about nature.
From the beautiful landscapes of Lake Clark Nationwide Park to among the finest salmon I’ve ever eaten, this distinctive wildlife tour makes an unforgettable expertise.
Whether or not you’re planning a day journey from Anchorage or an extended tour, this information will show you how to uncover the perfect spots for an in depth encounter with these majestic creatures.
Associated learn: The Magic of a Day Cruise at Kenai Fjords Nationwide Park, Alaska
Right here is an summary:
You too can hearken to our podcast about bear watching:
Why Bear Viewing in Alaska is a Should-Do
Experiencing bear viewing in Alaska is an journey that you just can not miss. Whether or not you’re embarking on a tour from Anchorage or heading to Katmai Nationwide Park, the fun of seeing brown bears of their pure habitat is unmatched.
I went to Lake Clark, the place you’ll be able to usually see bears fishing for salmon in the summertime months from late July until mid September. Excursions often final a day, providing ample alternatives for wildlife images and unforgettable moments.
For those who’re in Homer, don’t overlook to discover the close by creeks the place bears are continuously noticed.
Simply be ready for the unpredictable climate—layers are a should! I needed to be taught this the ‘chilly’ means. 😉
Whereas the thrill could be overwhelming, sustaining a secure distance is essential for each your security and the bears’.
This expertise not solely highlights Alaska’s beautiful landscapes but additionally deepens your appreciation for wildlife. So seize your digicam and embrace the wild!
The Finest Areas for Bear Viewing in Alaska
Alaska is the place to be if you happen to’re dreaming of an unforgettable encounter with bears.
Lake Clark Nationwide Park and Protect
Lake Clark Nationwide Park and Protect presents distinctive alternatives for bear watching alongside its shoreline, the place massive teams of brown bears collect to feed.
At Lake Clark Nationwide Park, guided excursions convey you up shut to those magnificent animals whereas prioritizing your security.
The journey itself is a spotlight. A floatplane trip from Anchorage to the beautiful Lake Clark Nationwide Park and Protect takes about one hour and ten minutes.
Nestled on the headwaters of Bristol Bay, Lake Clark Nationwide Park and Protect encapsulates the genuine spirit of Alaska’s untamed wilderness. Spanning a powerful 4 million acres, this park boasts towering volcanoes, rugged mountain ranges, breathtaking glaciers, wild rivers, cascading waterfalls, and a vibrant array of wildlife. That is what you’ll be able to count on to see from the airplane already – merely beautiful!
There are a number of areas to watch bears:
Crescent Lake
Nestled within the coronary heart of the Chigmit Mountains, Crescent Lake is a paradise to identify bears and in addition for sport fishers.
That is the place I went (Redoubt Bay Lodge), and also you’ll discover a extra detailed description under.
In the course of the salmon run, each brown and black bears go to the shorelines in quest of considerable fish.
Crescent Lake lacks developed trails or roads. Most guests navigate the lake utilizing motorboats or kayaks supplied by their guides or lodges. Whereas strolling round Crescent Lake is feasible, it’s not advisable as a result of thick vegetation that makes shore strolling tough and considerably dangerous; thus, most bear viewing happens from boats.
Brown bears usually frequent the shoreline throughout salmon runs, giving photographers in boats loads of probabilities to seize beautiful pictures.
Silver Salmon Creek
Positioned halfway alongside the park’s Cook dinner Inlet coast, Silver Salmon Creek provides incredible sport fishing alongside top-notch brown bear viewing. Brown bears could be noticed grazing in sedge meadows from late spring to mid-summer, fishing within the creek throughout salmon runs in late summer time, or digging for clams on the seaside all year long. Moose, wolves, foxes, ermines, and marine mammals have additionally been seen at Silver Salmon.
Lodges within the space transport visitors utilizing trailers pulled by ATVs. Different guests should stroll between websites on foot. Be ready to traverse sandy terrain for a couple of hundred yards from the seaside to achieve the closest sedge meadow or fishing space. You may stroll two miles or extra forwards and backwards throughout salt marshes, tidal flats, and creeks whereas looking for bears or fish.
Shelter Creek and Tuxedni Bay
These two areas alongside the Cook dinner Inlet coast of the park supply wealthy habitats for bears however are tougher to entry and thus see fewer guests.
Bears which might be much less accustomed to human presence usually tend to draw back from shut encounters. For those who determine to go to these spots, proceed with excessive warning.
Chinitna Bay
Located on the southern finish of the park’s Cook dinner Inlet shoreline, Chinitna Bay is famend for its distinctive bear viewing. Guests could spot as many as twenty coastal brown bears from a single vantage level.
Touring between bear viewing spots in Chinitna Bay is usually executed on foot, though some native lodges may present automobile transport alongside the seaside for his or her visitors. Be able to trek by sandy terrain for a couple of hundred yards from the seaside the place your airplane lands to achieve the closest bear viewing space. You could possibly end up strolling two miles or extra forwards and backwards between websites on the salt marsh or tidal flats in quest of bears.
Redoubt Bay Lodge – Lake Clark Nationwide Park
I took the floatplane with Rust’s to the Redoubt Bay Lodge, the place you’ll be able to expertise the fun of observing Alaska’s black and brown bears of their pure surroundings.
The flight to get there may be already a spotlight in itself. The floatplane trip from Anchorage to the lake takes round one hour.
Enjoyable Truth: Anchorage is the capital of floatplanes, as there are 500 primarily based there.
The flight is superb, because the view onto the lakes and mountains are merely beautiful.
Your expert pilot can also be a information and provides you with a number of data throughout the flight. Be ready for some “dry” jokes as nicely.
You’ll then contact down on the Redoubt Mountain Lodge, nestled by the beautiful blue waters of Crescent Lake, the place you’ll spend your day immersed in nature.
When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a educated bear-viewing information who will take you on a coated pontoon boat to prime lakeside spots the place bears collect to feast on the spawning wild Alaska salmon.
There are three varieties of salmon they go for:
- Contemporary-caught salmon, which is the toughest to catch in a lake.
- “Zombie” salmon, which is simply in need of dying and which swims slower and is due to this fact simpler to catch.
- “Floaters” are those who’ve already died and float on the floor. Clearly, they’re the best to catch, however they’re additionally not of their very best quality anymore. So very often, you see that the bears eat solely components of the floaters, except they’re nonetheless very hungry and want extra meals for his or her winter break.
Redoubt Bay Lodge is a captivating handcrafted lodge nestled inside an enormous 171,000-acre essential habitat space.
It’s conveniently located 70 miles southwest of Anchorage, proper on the beautiful entrance of Lake Clark Nationwide Park and Protect.
This space is famend for internet hosting one of many highest concentrations of bears which might be simply viewable in all of Alaska.
As your bear-watching tour kicks off, you’ll be aboard a coated pontoon boat, guided by educated naturalists, navigating by the picturesque chain of Large River Lakes, the place sockeye and Coho salmon thrive and entice the native bear inhabitants.
This prime bear viewing spot additionally attracts in quite a few fishermen alongside the bears.
The journey to view these magnificent creatures is an easy day journey from Anchorage to the Redoubt Bay Essential Habitat Space.
You possibly can take pleasure in an attractive half-day expertise with departures out there within the morning or afternoon, lasting round 6 1/2 hours (with choices for prolonged and in a single day packages).
The climate modified whereas we had been there, so our journey needed to finish a bit early, but it surely was nonetheless an excellent expertise. When you have the chance to remain in a single day, do it. Staying in such a distant place is exclusive and a really particular expertise.
Your package deal features a scrumptious sizzling lunch served in the primary lodge. We had been served baked salmon, and it was among the finest salmons I’ve ever had. The colour itself is one thing you don’t usually get, however then it was served with a honey and candy chili sauce. The photograph doesn’t do it justice. It was so scrumptious!
Katmai Nationwide Park
If you end up in Anchorage, take into account day journeys (and finest keep for 2-3 nights) to locations like Homer, recognized for its beautiful landscapes and wealthy wildlife.
An awesome location for bear viewing is Katmai Nationwide Park, the place you’ll be able to marvel on the iconic brown bears fishing for salmon at Brooks Falls. It’s a wide ranging sight that by no means will get previous.
The federally-protected Katmai Nationwide Park and Protect is famend for its distinctive alternatives to watch Alaska’s brown bears. A few of these beautiful wilderness spots can solely be reached by air, showcasing Alaska in its most unspoiled state.
This bear-viewing tour at Katmai takes you to Brooks Falls, the place three viewing platforms linked by raised boardwalks present an up-close, unobstructed, and noteworthy expertise of watching bears of their pure habitat.
Throughout July, when the salmon are spawning, you may spot as many as fifty bears alongside the 1.5-mile stretch of Brooks River without delay.
Though the bear viewing at Brooks Falls is self-guided, park rangers are available to present a complete briefing upon your arrival and can be found all through the park to reply any questions you will have.
When customer numbers peak, a waitlist for the Decrease River Bear viewing platform could also be enforce to take care of a high quality viewing expertise. Which means typically the areas can get crowded, and the ranger may ask you to shift to a different platform. Nevertheless, there may be ample area in Katmai total to take pleasure in observing the bears.
Though Brooks Falls is essentially the most famend location on this park for bear-watching, it’s definitely not the only real possibility; different locations comparable to Hallo Bay, Geographic Harbor, and Moraine Creek additionally present incredible viewing alternatives. These areas are merely extra secluded. You may have to trek a couple of miles, and also you most likely received’t encounter as many bears in a single space in comparison with Brooks. The upside? You’ll be far-off from the throngs of individuals and have the prospect to watch bears of their pure habitat.
Every location provides distinctive viewing experiences, from tranquil creek settings to rugged wilderness. Whereas bear viewing could be crowded throughout peak season, the fun of seeing these magnificent animals of their pure habitat makes all of it worthwhile.
I went in mid-September and would advocate this season. There have been fewer folks, and seeing Alaska in autumn was superior, with all the coloured leaves. As you need to gown in a number of layers anyway, I didn’t thoughts the climate that a lot. There have been additionally fewer mosquitoes than at different instances of the 12 months.
When to Plan Your Journey for Optimum Bear Sightings
Timing your journey to view bears in Alaska could make all of the distinction in your expertise of those majestic creatures up shut.
The height season runs from late Might to early September, with the perfect alternatives for recognizing brown bears round Katmai Nationwide Park and Lake Clark.
For those who’re planning a day tour from Anchorage, take into account visiting throughout the salmon run in July and August when bears collect in droves alongside the creeks.
Needless to say climate situations could be unpredictable, so have a versatile itinerary.
For those who miss the height months, go to in Might or September for fewer crowds and an opportunity to see bears throughout their lively feeding instances.
Right here is an summary of the place to go bear viewing in Alaska in every month:
- Might: Chinitna Bay
- June: Chinitna Bay, Redoubt
- July: Chinitna Bay, Redoubt, Katmai, Lake Clark (finish of July)
- August: Chinitna Bay, Redoubt, Lake Clark
- Until mid-September: Chinitna Bay, Redoubt, Lake Clark
Ideas for an Unforgettable Bear Viewing Expertise
For an unforgettable bear viewing expertise in Alaska, planning is essential.
Start your journey by deciding on the best tour to fit your pursuits—whether or not it’s an exhilarating day journey from Anchorage or a multi-day tour in Katmai Nationwide Park. I extremely advocate testing the guided excursions that take you to well-known spots like Brooks Falls, the place brown bears collect throughout the salmon run. Otherwise you hop on one of many pontoon boats, which will get you very shut.
Convey digicam with a zoom lens; the very last thing you need is to overlook capturing these majestic moments up shut!
I simply had my smartphone with me, so it is best to have the ability to take higher images.
Costume in layers, as Alaska’s climate could be unpredictable, and don’t overlook waterproof gear. Throughout my go to, I encountered surprising rain and it was a lot colder than I believed. However it didn’t dampen my spirits; the wildlife continued to amaze regardless of the drizzle.
Subsequent time, I’ll hear when somebody recommends that I convey alongside a hat and gloves.
How To Get To The Bears in Alaska
From varied areas and lodging, you’ve gotten the chance to journey by boat.
You possibly can go for a floatplane from Anchorage or Homer that may contact down on the water. That alone is a spotlight already.
Alternatively, there are wheeled planes that may land proper on the seaside, otherwise you may desire a helicopter that may decide on a sandy shore or expansive grassy fields. Helicopters supply the additional advantage of panoramic 180-degree views by their massive entrance home windows, the aptitude to fly at decrease altitudes, and usually present a extra snug journey.
Security Precautions Whereas Bear Viewing in Alaska
When embarking in your bear-viewing journey in Alaska, understanding security precautions is totally important.
There are a number of vital factors to recollect, whatever the circumstances.
Initially, it is best to by no means get shut to those creatures or attempt to make your self noticeable in any method, even when they seem pleasant or calm. Keep away from leaving meals unattended or attempting to feed them.
All the time maintain a respectful distance from these magnificent brown (Grizzly) bears; preserve at the least 100 yards to make sure each your security and theirs.
It’s vital to keep calm if you happen to encounter a bear—by no means run, as this may increasingly provoke curiosity or aggression. As a substitute, again away slowly whereas talking in soothing tones.
Becoming a member of guided excursions can improve your expertise, as educated guides will educate you about bear habits and guarantee secure viewing practices.
Areas like Katmai Nationwide Park and Lake Clark are famend for his or her wildlife encounters, but it surely’s smart to learn about seasonal patterns and bear exercise.
All the time carry bear spray simply in case—this small precaution could make a big distinction throughout surprising encounters. While you do a guided tour, you received’t want the spray, as your information ought to be ready.
Various Actions to Improve Your Alaska Journey
For those who’re wanting to dive deeper into the Alaskan wilderness past bear viewing, there are many various actions that may improve your journey.
Contemplate a day journey to Seward or Homer, the place you’ll be able to discover beautiful coastal vistas or seize contemporary seafood from native eateries.
For a singular expertise, head to Katmai Nationwide Park, the place wildlife images fanatics will discover infinite alternatives right here, so ensure your digicam is prepared!
For those who’re on the lookout for one thing extra adrenaline-pumping, kayaking round one in every of Alaska’s serene lakes provides each tranquility and the prospect to identify extra wildlife, together with seals and sea otters. I did a day cruise to the Aialik Glacier within the Kenai Fjords, which was one other beautiful and recommending expertise.
Every of those experiences provides one other layer to your Alaskan journey, making certain that your journey is as memorable as it’s thrilling.
Don’t miss out on these options that completely complement your bear-viewing journey!
Individuals Additionally Ask
The place is the perfect place to see the bears in Alaska?
For those who’re seeking to see bears in Alaska, Katmai Nationwide Park is a prime contender. The park is famend for its unimaginable brown bear inhabitants, particularly throughout the salmon runs in July and September.
Then there may be Lake Clark with its completely different spots. I had the prospect to go to this beautiful wilderness on the Redoubt Mountain Lodge, and it didn’t disappoint.
Certainly one of my favourite experiences was watching the bears from the pontoon boat, the place they received their salmon, additionally for his or her cubs.
For a extra distant expertise, take into account heading to Kodiak Island. The Kodiak brown bears listed here are bigger, and you may usually discover them of their pure habitat, foraging for meals.
I like to recommend reserving a guided tour, because the guides know the perfect spots and might present worthwhile insights into bear habits.
What’s the finest month to see bears in Alaska?
For those who’re wanting to catch a glimpse of bears in Alaska, the perfect months to plan your journey are usually Might by September.
Throughout this era, bears emerge from hibernation, and their exercise peaks, particularly in late spring and summer time when meals sources are considerable.
In Might, brown bears are sometimes noticed foraging for early greens and rising salmon, making it a good time for wildlife viewing.
As you progress into June, the bears change into extra lively, with many moms and cubs seen alongside the coast and riverbanks. It is a incredible time to see these cute cubs studying to navigate their surroundings.
July is the height season for salmon runs, significantly in areas like Katmai Nationwide Park and Brooks Falls. Right here, you’ll be able to witness bears fishing for salmon—a very unforgettable sight.
By August, the bears proceed to feed closely in preparation for hibernation, and also you’ll doubtless see them gathering in bigger numbers, additionally on the lakes.
Irrespective of whenever you go, the expertise of observing these majestic creatures of their pure habitat is certain to be a spotlight of your Alaskan journey!
Nevertheless, needless to say the climate could be unpredictable, so it’s smart to pack accordingly.
How doubtless is it to see a bear in Alaska?
Seeing a bear in Alaska is sort of doubtless, particularly in sure areas and through particular seasons.
I anticipated to see perhaps 1-2 bears, and expectantly, much more. Ultimately, we noticed 9 bears, together with a number of cubs, and that in simply 1 ½ hours. If the climate hadn’t modified, we might have gone out for extra bear viewing within the afternoon to see much more.
Alaska is dwelling to a few species of bears: black bears, brown bears (together with grizzly bears), and polar bears. The probabilities of an encounter rely largely on the situation, time of 12 months, and your actions. In nationwide parks like Denali and Katmai, bear sightings are frequent, significantly throughout the summer time months when bears are foraging for meals.
Keep alert if you’re mountain climbing and abruptly see a grizzly bear simply off the path, foraging for berries within the brush. The secret is to remain alert and maintain your distance; bears are usually not usually aggressive however could be unpredictable if caught off guard.
Whereas driving alongside the Seward Freeway or in Kodiak, you may additionally catch glimpses of bears close to the roadside or alongside riverbanks.
It’s important to respect their area and observe from a secure distance to keep away from any harmful encounters.
For those who’re planning to go bear-watching, take into account guided excursions, which frequently enhance the probabilities of sightings and supply security suggestions. Bear in mind, whereas the probability of seeing a bear is excessive, it’s essential to prioritize security and comply with native laws concerning wildlife encounters.
see bears in Alaska on a funds?
Seeing bears in Alaska could be a thrilling expertise with out breaking the financial institution. One of the budget-friendly methods is to go to nationwide parks like Katmai or Denali, the place you’ll be able to usually spot bears of their pure habitat.
Whereas guided excursions could be expensive, take into account mountain climbing the paths in these parks—many have accessible paths the place bears are recognized to roam. Don’t overlook your bear spray! Tenting is one other economical possibility. By staying at campgrounds inside or close to the parks, you not solely save on lodging prices but additionally enhance your probabilities of bear sightings. Convey your individual meals and kit to chop down on bills.
Simply consider the particular “bear guidelines” whenever you go tenting. No meals within the tent!
Ensure that to securely retailer all meals, food-related gadgets, cooking utensils, clothes, and another aromatic private belongings in your automobile, RV, or cabin. Leaving gadgets exterior can draw bears and different wildlife.
So lock it up within the automobile or grasp it excessive on a rope at a tree, finest a bit away out of your tent. For those who’re on the lookout for a extra distinctive expertise, take a look at native bear-viewing platforms or lodges that provide day passes. These could be extra inexpensive than full-package excursions.
Moreover, touring throughout the shoulder season (late spring or early fall) can yield decrease costs on lodging and actions. I’m actually completely happy that I’ve been to Alaska in autumn, the place the panorama changed into these superb fall colours.
