Think about standing only a few ft away from an enormous brown Grizzly bear, its highly effective kind shifting gracefully by the luxurious Alaskan wilderness.
Bear viewing in Alaska is not only a visit; it’s an exhilarating journey that immerses you within the uncooked fantastic thing about nature.
From the beautiful landscapes of Lake Clark Nationwide Park to the most effective 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 make it easier to uncover one of the best 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 outline:
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 joys 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 pictures and unforgettable moments.
For those who’re in Homer, don’t overlook to discover the close by creeks the place bears are ceaselessly noticed.
Simply be ready for the unpredictable climate—layers are a should! I needed to study this the ‘chilly’ approach. 😉
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 in addition deepens your appreciation for wildlife. So seize your digicam and embrace the wild!
The Greatest Areas for Bear Viewing in Alaska
Alaska is the place to be in case you’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 giant teams of brown bears collect to feed.
At Lake Clark Nationwide Park, guided excursions deliver you up shut to those magnificent animals whereas prioritizing your security.
The journey itself is a spotlight. A floatplane journey 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 formidable 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 anticipate to see from the aircraft already – merely beautiful!
There are a number of places to look at bears:
Crescent Lake
Nestled within the coronary heart of the Chigmit Mountains, Crescent Lake is a paradise to identify bears and likewise for sport fishers.
That is the place I went (Redoubt Bay Lodge), and also you’ll discover a extra detailed description beneath.
Through the salmon run, each brown and black bears go to the shorelines searching for ample 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 resulting from 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 possibilities to seize beautiful photos.
Silver Salmon Creek
Situated halfway alongside the park’s Cook dinner Inlet coast, Silver Salmon Creek gives 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 season, or digging for clams on the seashore all year long. Moose, wolves, foxes, ermines, and marine mammals have additionally been seen at Silver Salmon.
Lodges within the space transport friends utilizing trailers pulled by ATVs. Different guests should stroll between websites on foot. Be ready to traverse sandy terrain for just a few hundred yards from the seashore to succeed in the closest sedge meadow or fishing space. You would possibly stroll two miles or extra backwards and forwards throughout salt marshes, tidal flats, and creeks whereas trying to find 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 more difficult to entry and thus see fewer guests.
Bears which can be much less accustomed to human presence usually tend to shrink back from shut encounters. For those who resolve 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 might spot as many as twenty coastal brown bears from a single vantage level.
Touring between bear viewing spots in Chinitna Bay is usually achieved on foot, though some native lodges would possibly present car transport alongside the seashore for his or her friends. Be able to trek by sandy terrain for just a few hundred yards from the seashore the place your aircraft lands to succeed in the closest bear viewing space. You can end up strolling two miles or extra backwards and forwards between websites on the salt marsh or tidal flats searching for 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 joys of observing Alaska’s black and brown bears of their pure atmosphere.
The flight to get there’s already a spotlight in itself. The floatplane journey from Anchorage to the lake takes round one hour.
Enjoyable Reality: 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 be a information and offers you numerous info throughout the flight. Be ready for some “dry” jokes as effectively.
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 kinds of salmon they go for:
- Recent-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 highest quality anymore. So very often, you see that the bears eat solely elements of the floaters, except they’re nonetheless very hungry and wish extra meals for his or her winter break.
Redoubt Bay Lodge is a captivating handcrafted lodge nestled inside an enormous 171,000-acre important 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 can 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 may get pleasure from a fascinating 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 have been there, so our journey needed to finish somewhat early, however it was nonetheless a terrific expertise. In case 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 scorching lunch served in the primary lodge. We have been served baked salmon, and it was the most effective 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 picture doesn’t do it justice. It was so scrumptious!
Katmai Nationwide Park
If you end up in Anchorage, contemplate day journeys (and greatest keep for 2-3 nights) to locations like Homer, identified for its beautiful landscapes and wealthy wildlife.
An incredible 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 look at 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 would possibly 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’ll have.
When customer numbers peak, a waitlist for the Decrease River Bear viewing platform could also be implement to keep up a high quality viewing expertise. Which means typically the areas can get crowded, and the ranger would possibly ask you to shift to a different platform. Nevertheless, there’s ample house in Katmai general to get pleasure from observing the bears.
Though Brooks Falls is probably the most famend location on this park for bear-watching, it’s actually not the only choice; different locations equivalent to Hallo Bay, Geographic Harbor, and Moraine Creek additionally present incredible viewing alternatives. These areas are merely extra secluded. You would possibly must trek just a few miles, and also you in all probability 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 look at bears of their pure habitat.
Every location gives distinctive viewing experiences, from tranquil creek settings to rugged wilderness. Whereas bear viewing could be crowded throughout peak season, the joys of seeing these magnificent animals of their pure habitat makes all of it worthwhile.
I went in mid-September and would suggest this season. There have been fewer individuals, and seeing Alaska in autumn was superior, with all the coloured leaves. As it’s important 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 Could to early September, with one of the best alternatives for recognizing brown bears round Katmai Nationwide Park and Lake Clark.
For those who’re planning a day tour from Anchorage, contemplate visiting throughout the salmon run in July and August when bears collect in droves alongside the creeks.
Take into account that climate situations could be unpredictable, so have a versatile itinerary.
For those who miss the height months, go to in Could or September for fewer crowds and an opportunity to see bears throughout their energetic feeding instances.
Right here is an outline of the place to go bear viewing in Alaska in every month:
- Could: 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 vital.
Start your journey by deciding on the suitable 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 suggest 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.
Deliver 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 you must be capable to take higher photographs.
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. But it surely didn’t dampen my spirits; the wildlife continued to amaze regardless of the drizzle.
Subsequent time, I’ll hear when somebody recommends that I deliver alongside a hat and gloves.
How To Get To The Bears in Alaska
From numerous places and lodging, you will have the chance to journey by boat.
You may 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 seashore, otherwise you would possibly choose a helicopter that may choose a sandy shore or expansive grassy fields. Helicopters supply the additional advantage of panoramic 180-degree views by their giant entrance home windows, the aptitude to fly at decrease altitudes, and customarily present a extra comfy 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.
At the start, you must 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 making an attempt to feed them.
At all times maintain a respectful distance from these magnificent brown (Grizzly) bears; preserve a minimum of 100 yards to make sure each your security and theirs.
It’s vital to keep calm in case you encounter a bear—by no means run, as this may occasionally 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 conduct and guarantee secure viewing practices.
Areas like Katmai Nationwide Park and Lake Clark are famend for his or her wildlife encounters, however it’s clever to be told about seasonal patterns and bear exercise.
At all times carry bear spray simply in case—this small precaution could make a major distinction throughout surprising encounters. While you do a guided tour, you received’t want the spray, as your information needs 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 recent seafood from native eateries.
For a singular expertise, head to Katmai Nationwide Park, the place wildlife pictures fanatics will discover infinite alternatives right here, so be sure your digicam is prepared!
For those who’re in search of one thing extra adrenaline-pumping, kayaking round certainly one of Alaska’s serene lakes gives 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 alternate options that completely complement your bear-viewing journey!
Folks Additionally Ask
The place is one of the best place to see the bears in Alaska?
For those who’re trying to see bears in Alaska, Katmai Nationwide Park is a high contender. The park is famend for its unbelievable brown bear inhabitants, particularly throughout the salmon runs in July and September.
Then there’s Lake Clark with its totally different spots. I had the prospect to go to this beautiful wilderness on the Redoubt Mountain Lodge, and it didn’t disappoint.
One in all my favourite experiences was watching the bears from the pontoon boat, the place they acquired their salmon, additionally for his or her cubs.
For a extra distant expertise, contemplate 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 one of the best spots and might present precious insights into bear conduct.
What’s the greatest month to see bears in Alaska?
For those who’re wanting to catch a glimpse of bears in Alaska, one of the best months to plan your journey are usually Could by September.
Throughout this era, bears emerge from hibernation, and their exercise peaks, particularly in late spring and summer season when meals sources are ample.
In Could, 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 turn into extra energetic, with many moms and cubs seen alongside the coast and riverbanks. It is a incredible time to see these lovable cubs studying to navigate their atmosphere.
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 probably see them gathering in bigger numbers, additionally on the lakes.
Regardless of while you go, the expertise of observing these majestic creatures of their pure habitat is bound to be a spotlight of your Alaskan journey!
Nevertheless, take into account that the climate could be unpredictable, so it’s clever to pack accordingly.
How probably is it to see a bear in Alaska?
Seeing a bear in Alaska is sort of probably, particularly in sure areas and through particular seasons.
I anticipated to see perhaps 1-2 bears, and hopefully, much more. In the long run, 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 residence to 3 species of bears: black bears, brown bears (together with grizzly bears), and polar bears. The probabilities of an encounter rely largely on the placement, time of 12 months, and your actions. In nationwide parks like Denali and Katmai, bear sightings are frequent, significantly throughout the summer season months when bears are foraging for meals.
Keep alert in case you are mountaineering and all of a sudden 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 will not be typically 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 house and observe from a secure distance to keep away from any harmful encounters.
For those who’re planning to go bear-watching, contemplate guided excursions, which regularly improve the probabilities of sightings and supply security ideas. Keep in mind, whereas the probability of seeing a bear is excessive, it’s essential to prioritize security and observe native rules relating to wildlife encounters.
Find out how to see bears in Alaska on a funds?
Seeing bears in Alaska generally is 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 dear, contemplate mountaineering the paths in these parks—many have accessible paths the place bears are identified to roam. Don’t overlook your bear spray! Tenting is one other economical choice. By staying at campgrounds inside or close to the parks, you not solely save on lodging prices but in addition improve your probabilities of bear sightings. Deliver your individual meals and equipment to chop down on bills.
Simply consider the particular “bear guidelines” while you go tenting. No meals within the tent!
Make certain to securely retailer all meals, food-related objects, cooking utensils, clothes, and another aromatic private belongings in your automotive, RV, or cabin. Leaving objects outdoors can draw bears and different wildlife.
So lock it up within the automotive or hold it excessive on a rope at a tree, greatest a bit away out of your tent. For those who’re in search of 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 comfortable that I’ve been to Alaska in autumn, the place the panorama became these superb fall colours.
