Bear Viewing

About Bears

There are two main species of bear found in Juneau: black bears and brown bears. Don't be fooled, both bear species come in a variety of colors — they are not exclusive to their monikers — meaning black bears can be brown, and brown bears can be black. Black bears are smaller (adult males average 400 pounds) than brown bears, lack a shoulder hump and have a straight, flat-faced profile. Black bears can be black, brown, cinnamon-colored or, if you're lucky, you might even spot a rare blue or "glacier" bear, which also happens to be a variation of the black bear. If you see a bear in Juneau’s urban areas, it’s most likely a black bear. 

Our coastal brown bears are the larger, salmon-eating relatives of the ‘grizzly’ bears which live in Interior and northern Alaska. The brown bear is also larger than the black bear, with a noticeable shoulder hump and longer claws. A male brown bear can weigh more than 1,000 pounds; females weigh half as much. Wilderness areas of neighboring Admiralty and Chichagof Islands are two of the best places to observe brown bears in the world! Brown bears are not commonly seen along the Juneau road system. 

Guests wanting to experience brown bears in their wilderness habitat should join a guided trip with one of Juneau’s permitted bear viewing operators. Guided trips departing Juneau bring adventurous guests to nearby Waterfall Creek on Chichagof Island, historic Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area on Admiralty Island, and other select wilderness locations. 

There are tons of places in and around Juneau to see bears and other wildlife. Visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for a complete list of viewing locations.

When in bear country, always remember:

• Be aware of your surroundings, even in town.
• Never feed a bear, it's illegal. Store food in bear-proof containers away from camp.
• Never approach or follow a bear. Always leave the bear an escape route.
• If you encounter a bear, make noise, sing and clap your hands — let it know you're a human.
• A bear standing on its hind legs isn't threatening you; it's trying to identify you, so stand your ground.
• Never try to outrun a bear. Bears may instinctively chase anything that runs.

About Admiralty Island

One of the best places in Alaska to see brown bears is Admiralty Island National Monument. The area is also known by the native Tlingít people as "Kootznoowoo," which translates to "fortress of the bears." Admiralty Island is home to an estimated 1,600 brown bears (no black bears here), one of the world's highest density brown bear populations — that's more brown bears than the entire Lower 48 combined! 

To see these furry giants in action, book a tour to the island's Pack Creek Bear Sanctuary, located on the eastern shore of Admiralty Island. During peak summer months, you might see as many as 25 bears come together to feast on yummy pink and chum salmon. For optimal viewing, head to the "viewing spit" at the mouth of Pack Creek, or take the one-mile trek inland through old-growth rainforest and climb atop the Observation Tower. 

Season

Permits to Pack Creek are required from April 1st to September 30th and are limited to 24 visitors per day. Guided groups will arrange permits for their guests in advance. May through mid-June is a wonderful time to be at Pack Creek. The plants at sea level are first to sprout, attracting bears to the beaches where they’re easily viewed. Adult bears are also mating which attracts more large males than later in the summer. 

Peak season permits are in effect from July 5–Aug. 25, but bear activity peaks when the salmon are spawning, usually late July through early September. While permits are available for purchase in Juneau, your best bet is to arrange your guided trip, or apply for a permit, well ahead of time. Guides will source permits, arrange travel and provide expert knowledge about bear country. Guides are strongly recommended outside the peak season when rangers may not be on the Island. 

Getting Here

Just 40 miles from Juneau, Pack Creek makes for an ideal day-trip. There are no roads or accommodations, so the only way to get to the area is by floatplane, boat, or kayak. A 30-minute floatplane ride provides the quickest and most direct method of transport from Juneau (versus a 3.5-hour boat ride). 

Guided trips include flights with one of Juneau’s seaplane carriers. An air or marine charter can provide transportation to-and-from the island, but you'll be responsible for sourcing your own permits. For those who want to stay the night, you’ll need a boat to access campsites and open shelters outside the Pack Creek protected area. Camping is not allowed within the protected area. 

More Information

For more information about Admiralty Island/Pack Creek, visit the U.S. Forest Service. For more information about bears and where to view them, visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. To book a charter or guided tour, scroll down to connect with one of the three permitted local guiding companies. 

About Chichagof Island

Wilderness areas of Chichagof Island are the only places in Alaska’s inside passage to rival the access, quality, and wilderness character of brown bear viewing on Admiralty Island. Waterfall Creek is the premier fly-in destination on Chichagof Island and is accessible as a day or half-day trip from Juneau. Waterfall Creek is famous for up close bear viewing, and of course the stunning waterfall backdrop, which should place it at the top of every wildlife fan and photographer’s list! Access is by guided tour so reach out to one of Juneau’s permitted bear viewing operations. They can help you choose where and when to go, as well as arrange multi-day trips to both Admiralty and Chichagof Islands. 

Season

The season at Waterfall Creek is similar to the peak season at neighboring Pack Creek. From late July to mid September. This coincides with the spawning of the pink, chum, and coho salmon in the creek. Outside of this season, other un-roaded, wilderness areas of Chichagof offer excellent bear viewing.

Getting to Waterfall Creek

Waterfall Creek is a once-in-a-lifetime wilderness experience that is accessible by guided tour. There are no rangers or infrastructure at Waterfall Creek, or at Chichagof Island’s other wilderness areas. 

Like Pack Creek, Waterfall Creek is most easily accessed by float plane. The roughly 30-minute flight over the Inside Passage is sure to be a highlight of any trip. The area is also accessible by boat and can be a full-day or a multi-day trip from Juneau with sights along the way. Some areas of Chichagof Island are accessible by logging road, but Waterfall Creek is not! Bear viewing in un-roaded areas of Chichagof Island is a true wilderness experience and a chance to see the bears in their natural habitat. 

How to Choose?

When the salmon are spawning, both Waterfall Creek and Pack Creek offer very different, world class coastal brown bear viewing! In the early summer, Pack Creek likely offers the best opportunities. For those looking for multiple days of wildlife viewing, you can arrange to visit multiple areas around the surrounding Tongass National Forest, including those known only to local guides. 

Helpful Tips

• There are no facilities (bathroom or shelter) at wilderness bear viewing locations.
• Pack rain gear, emergency equipment, and extra clothing. Pack food separately.
• Wear rubber boots, you might be unloading a plane in eight to 12 inches of water.
• There is no cell phone service in the wilderness.
• Bring binoculars, a telescope or a camera with long telephoto lens.
• Bring bear spray! If unfamiliar with its use, hire a guide!