Bear Viewing

Redoubt Bay Bear Viewing (6 Hours)

Enjoy a guided day tour with the opportunity to view Alaska's black and brown bears in their natural habitat. Fly 70 miles southwest of Anchorage to the entrance of Lake Clark Wilderness Preserve, site of Redoubt Bay Lodge and bear viewing from a covered boat.

Become enchanted with the bears at the world-famous Redoubt Bay
Lodge. Guests who visit Redoubt Bay have the opportunity to view
resident brown bears up close from one of the lodge’s covered pontoon boats. Your naturalist guide will lead you to the bears as you spend time exploring the Redoubt Bay area to watch the bears in their natural habitat at Redoubt Bay. The bears follow the salmon so best bear viewing is from June through August.

The half day tour offers a morning and afternoon daily float plane departures from Lake Hood in Anchorage with the tour lasting approximately 6 hours. Guests receive a Redoubt Bay Field Guide that provides interesting facts about bears and a checklist of flora and fauna specific to this region. Relax and enjoy a homemade lunch in the cozy lodge before your return to Anchorage.

Katmai National Park Bear Viewing (10 Hours)

Take off by seaplane for an all day bear viewing expedition past glaciers and volcanoes to the brown bear country of southwest Alaska. Visit world famous Katmai National Park, Land of 10,000 smokes and home of the famous Alaska brown bear viewing at Brooks Falls. National Park rangers are available to provide information and answer questions. Bear viewing is on foot.

This day trip departs from Anchorage at 8:00 am, travels to Katmai and return to Anchorage within 10 to 12 hours after departure. The flight time is approximately 2 to 3 hours each way and flies directly to Katmai. The pilot will point out sites of interest on the flight to Katmai.

The Katmai Brown Bear tour includes a box lunch, eaten usually at the beach on arrival at Katmai National Park. The trip is self guided and National Park Rangers give an initial briefing on arrival and are available for questions.

In the park, there are three viewing platforms located in Brooks Camp along the south side of Brooks River: (1) the Falls Platform located immediately adjacent to Brooks Falls, (2) the Riffles Platform located around 100 meters south of Brooks Falls, and (3) the Lower River Platform located adjacent to the floating bridge near Brooks Lodge. The Falls and Riffles Platforms are connected to a central covered platform by elevated boardwalks. Although bears may be seen from the Falls and Riffles Platforms at any time, more bears focus their activities near these platforms during the primary salmon migratory period of late June through July. Capacity at the Falls Platform is actively managed for a maximum of 40 people using an on-site waiting list. When the Falls Platform is at maximum capacity and there is a waiting list, visiting time on the Falls Platform is limited to one hour. Visitors waiting to access the Falls Platform are able to wait at the Riffles Platform or the covered platform.

Lake Clark National Park Bear Viewing (11 hours)

After a scenic flight from Anchorage, a knowledgeable guide takes visitors to where the bears fish for spawning salmon. Viewing from an open boat (capacity 6 persons) allows for excellent photo opportunities. During the midday break, guests enjoy a hot lunch at the lodge or a shoreside lunch. Kayaking at the lake, soaking in the hot tub, or relaxing in the lodge are also included options.

The logistics:
• 8:00 a.m. Leave Lake Hood
• 9:30 a.m. arrive at Lake Clark Lodge
• Depart for bear viewing
• 1:30 p.m. (approximately) lunch break
• Afternoon, resume bear viewing or alternate activities
• 5:00 p.m. depart Crescent Lake
• 7:00 p.m. arrive at Lake Hood
• Times are approximate and will be confirmed at booking.

Alaska weather can change dramatically. A sunny and warm day in Anchorage can turn windy, rainy, and cool in the National Park. Please dress appropriately. This includes layering your clothing, wearing comfortable shoes, and bringing rain gear. The lodge is in a remote area accessible only by plane so many of the common comforts such as flush toilets and running water are not available. Views of pristine wilderness and the glacier at the end of the lake compensate for leaving “civilization” behind.