Think about standing only a few ft away from an enormous brown Grizzly bear, its highly effective type transferring gracefully by way of the luxurious Alaskan wilderness.
Bear viewing in Alaska is not only 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 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 enable you to uncover the most effective spots for an in depth encounter with these majestic creatures.
Right here is an summary:
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 pictures and unforgettable moments.
In the event you’re in Homer, don’t neglect 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’ method. 😉
Whereas the thrill will 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 digital camera and embrace the wild!
The Greatest Places for Bear Viewing in Alaska
In the event you’re dreaming of an unforgettable encounter with bears, Alaska is the place to be.
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 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 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 aircraft already – merely beautiful!
There are a number of areas 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.
Throughout the salmon run, each brown and black bears go to the shorelines seeking plentiful fish.
Crescent Lake lacks developed trails or roads. Most guests navigate the lake utilizing motorboats or kayaks offered by their guides or lodges. Whereas strolling round Crescent Lake is feasible, it’s not advisable attributable to 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 Prepare dinner Inlet coast, Silver Salmon Creek affords incredible sport fishing alongside top-notch brown bear viewing. Brown bears will 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 seaside all year long. Moose, wolves, foxes, ermines, and marine mammals have additionally been seen at Silver Salmon.
Lodges within the space transport company 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 seaside to achieve the closest sedge meadow or fishing space. You would possibly end up strolling two miles or extra backwards and forwards throughout salt marshes or tidal flats and creeks whereas trying to find bears or fish.
Shelter Creek and Tuxedni Bay
These two areas alongside the Prepare dinner Inlet coast of the park provide wealthy habitats for bears however are more difficult to entry and thus see fewer guests.
Bears which are much less accustomed to human presence usually tend to shrink back from shut encounters. In the event you resolve to go to these spots, proceed with excessive warning.
Chinitna Bay
Located on the southern finish of the park’s Prepare 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 often performed on foot, though some native lodges would possibly present car transport alongside the seaside for his or her company. Be able to trek by way of sandy terrain for just a few hundred yards from the seaside the place your aircraft lands to achieve the closest bear viewing space. You possibly can end up strolling two miles or extra backwards and forwards between websites on the salt marsh or tidal flats seeking 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. It takes round one hour within the floatplane from Anchorage to the lake.
Enjoyable Reality: Anchorage is the capitol of floatplanes, as there are 500 primarily based there.
The flight is wonderful, because the view onto the lakes and mountains are merely beautiful.
Your expert pilot can be a information and can offer you plenty of into in the course of 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 lined 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 wanting dying and which swims slower and is due to this fact simpler to catch
- “floaters”, that are those who already died and who float on the floor. Clearly it’s the only to catch, but 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 so they want extra meals for his or her winter break
Redoubt Bay Lodge is an enthralling handcrafted lodge nestled inside an unlimited 171,000-acre crucial 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 are simply viewable in all of Alaska.
As your bear watching tour kicks off, you’ll be aboard a lined pontoon boat, guided by educated naturalists, navigating by way of the picturesque chain of Huge 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 a simple day journey from Anchorage to the Redoubt Bay Important Habitat Space.
You’ll be able to get pleasure from an enticing half-day expertise with departures accessible 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 just a little early, nevertheless it was nonetheless an amazing 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.
A scrumptious sizzling lunch served in the primary lodge is included in your bundle. We had 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, think about day journeys (and greatest keep for 2-3 nights) to locations like Homer, identified for its beautiful landscapes and wealthy wildlife.
A fantastic 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 panoramic sight that by no means will get outdated.
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 might have.
When customer numbers peak, a waitlist for the Decrease River bear viewing platform could also be enforce to keep up a high quality viewing expertise. Because of this typically the areas can get a bit crowded, and the ranger would possibly ask you to shift to a different platform. Nevertheless, there may be ample area 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 definitely not the only real possibility; different locations comparable to Hallo Bay, Geographic Harbor, and Moraine Creek present incredible viewing alternatives as effectively. These areas are merely extra secluded. You would possibly have to trek just a few 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 possibility to look at bears of their pure habitat.
Every location affords distinctive viewing experiences, from tranquil creek settings to rugged wilderness. Whereas bear viewing will 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 suggest this season. There have been much less individuals and to see Alaska in autumn was superior, with all the coloured leafs. And as it’s a must to costume in a number of layers anyway, I didn’t thoughts the climate that a lot. There have been additionally much less mosquitoes than in different occasions of the 12 months.
When to Plan Your Journey for Optimum Bear Sightings
Timing your journey for bear viewing in Alaska could make all of the distinction in experiencing these majestic creatures up shut.
The height season runs from late Could to early September, with the most effective alternatives for recognizing brown bears round Katmai Nationwide Park and Lake Clark.
In the event you’re planning a day tour from Anchorage, think about visiting in the course of the salmon run in July and August when bears collect in droves alongside the creeks.
Remember that climate circumstances will be unpredictable, so have a versatile itinerary.
In the event you miss the height months, go to in Could or September for fewer crowds and an opportunity to see bears throughout their energetic feeding occasions.
Right here is an summary:
- 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 proper 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 trying out the guided excursions that take you to well-known spots like Brooks Falls, the place brown bears collect in the course of the salmon run. Otherwise you hop on one of many pontoon boats, which will get you very shut.
Deliver a great digital camera 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 need to be capable of take higher images.
Gown in layers, as Alaska’s climate will be unpredictable, and don’t neglect waterproof gear. Throughout my go to, I encountered sudden 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 me to deliver alongside a hat and gloves.
Learn how to get to the bears
From varied areas and lodging, you’ve the chance to journey by boat.
You’ll be able to go for a floatplane from Anchorage or Homer that can 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 would possibly desire a helicopter that may decide on a sandy shore or expansive grassy fields. Helicopters provide the additional benefit of panoramic 180-degree views by way of their massive entrance home windows, the aptitude to fly at decrease altitudes, and customarily 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 very important.
There are a number of essential factors to recollect, whatever the circumstances.
At the beginning, you need 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; keep not less than 100 yards to make sure each your security and theirs.
It’s essential to remain calm should you encounter a bear—by no means run, as this will provoke curiosity or aggression. As an alternative, again away slowly whereas talking in soothing tones.
Becoming a member of guided excursions can improve your expertise, as educated guides will train 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, nevertheless it’s clever to be told about seasonal patterns and bear exercise.
All the time carry bear spray simply in case—this small precaution could make a major distinction throughout sudden 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
In the event you’re wanting to dive deeper into the Alaskan wilderness past bear viewing, there are many various actions that can improve your journey.
Think about 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 pictures lovers will discover countless alternatives right here, so be certain that your digital camera is prepared!
In the event you’re on the lookout for one thing extra adrenaline-pumping, kayaking round certainly one of Alaska’s serene lakes affords each tranquility and the possibility 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, guaranteeing 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 the most effective place to see the bears in Alaska?
In the event you’re trying to see bears in Alaska, Katmai Nationwide Park is a prime contender. The park is famend for its unbelievable brown bear inhabitants, particularly in the course of the salmon runs in July and September.
Then there may be Lake Clark with its totally different spots. I had the possibility 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 acquired their salmon, additionally for his or her cubs.
For a extra distant expertise, think about heading to Kodiak Island. The Kodiak brown bears listed below 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 most effective spots and might present helpful insights into bear habits.
What’s the greatest month to see bears in Alaska?
In the event you’re wanting to catch a glimpse of bears in Alaska, the most effective months to plan your journey are usually Could by way of September.
Throughout this era, bears emerge from hibernation, and their exercise peaks, particularly in late spring and summer season when meals sources are plentiful.
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 out to be extra energetic, with many moms and cubs seen alongside the coast and riverbanks. This can be a incredible time to see these lovable cubs studying to navigate their surroundings.
July is peak season for salmon runs, notably in areas like Katmai Nationwide Park and Brooks Falls. Right here, you’ll be able to witness bears fishing for salmon—a really unforgettable sight.
By August, the bears proceed to feed closely in preparation for hibernation, and also you’ll possible 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, needless to say the climate will be unpredictable, so it’s clever to pack accordingly.
How possible is it to see a bear in Alaska?
Seeing a bear in Alaska is sort of possible, particularly in sure areas and through particular seasons.
I anticipated to see possibly 1-2 bears 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 wouldn’t have 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 situation, time of 12 months, and your actions. In nationwide parks like Denali and Katmai, bear sightings are frequent, notably in the course of the summer season months when bears are foraging for meals.
Keep alert in case you are climbing and instantly see a grizzly bear simply off the path, foraging for berries within the brush. The hot button is to remain alert and maintain your distance; bears are usually not typically aggressive, however will 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.
In the event you’re planning to go bear-watching, think about guided excursions, which regularly improve 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.
Learn how to see bears in Alaska on a price range?
Seeing bears in Alaska generally is a thrilling expertise with out breaking the financial institution. Probably the most 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 will be expensive, think about climbing the paths in these parks—many have accessible paths the place bears are identified to roam. Don’t neglect 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 improve your probabilities of bear sightings. Deliver your individual meals and kit to chop down on bills.
Simply bear in mind the particular “bear guidelines” while you go tenting. No meals within the tent!
Be sure 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 dangle it excessive on a rope at a tree, greatest a bit away out of your tent. In the event you’re on the lookout for a extra distinctive expertise, take a look at native bear-viewing platforms or lodges that supply day passes. These will be extra reasonably priced than full-package excursions.
Moreover, touring in the course of the shoulder season (late spring or early fall) can yield decrease costs on lodging and actions. I’m actually completely satisfied that I’ve been to Alaska in autumn, the place the panorama became these wonderful fall colours.
