ALASKA’S BROWN BEARS
MORE ALASKA WILDLIFE
THE BEST PLACES TO SEE BEARS & OTHER WILDLIFE IN ALASKA
NAT HAB’S ALASKA ADVENTURES
BEAR-VIEWING GUIDELINES
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Alaska, aptly nicknamed “The Last Frontier,” abounds with wilderness on a scale unmatched in the Lower 48. With 17 of the 20 highest peaks in North America, 100,000 glaciers, some 9,000 rivers and 3 million lakes, Alaska supports a tremendous abundance of wildlife— moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves, whales, puffins, bald eagles, sea lions, sea otters…and thousands of brown bears.
Alaska bear viewing has become one of the most popular wildlife experiences in North America. Whether along the coast or deep in the backcountry, watching brown bears forage, fish and interact in their natural surroundings offers a rare glimpse into the rhythms of untamed wilderness. With a growing number of tour operators offering bear-viewing trips, it’s essential to choose one with expertise, impeccable safety standards and commitment to conservation.
That’s where Natural Habitat Adventures shines. With a diverse offering of adventures, our Alaska trips take you deeper into the backcountry, far from typical tourist spots, guided by expert Expedition Leaders with deep knowledge of this pristine wildness, including its unique wildlife.
All of Nat Hab’s small-group Alaska adventures and Photo Expeditions offer exciting bear viewing, along with much more. Call 800-543-8917 or visit nathab.com/alaska-nature-tours to discover wild Alaska.
Colossal grizzlies once roamed much of the United States and as far south as central Mexico. But their size and power terrified colonizing pioneers who set out to exterminate the apex predators, ultimately eliminating them from much of their original range in the Lower 48 and Central America. However, Alaska’s bears were comparatively unbothered.
Today, Alaska is a refuge for brown bears, home to 98% of the U.S. population and 70% of the overall North American population. An estimated 30,000 of them meander across Alaska’s landscapes, making the state an ideal destination for bear viewing.
Now, let’s clear up some confusion. With the terms “grizzly bear” and “brown bear” often used interchangeably, you might be wondering what kind of bears you’ll be seeing.
Although brown bears and grizzlies were once labeled as individual species, they are now taxonomically considered the same bear—Ursus arctos horribilis with the main differences being regional and dietary.
In coastal Alaska, where salmon makes up over 40% of their annual diet, they are
called brown bears. This rich and abundant food source allows them to get big. Really big. An adult male brown bear typically weighs between 300 to 1,000 pounds, but he can balloon up to 1,500 pounds at his peak just before hibernation. Females generally weigh between 200 and 450 pounds.
Grizzlies live further inland, where food is harder to come by. Because of this, they are smaller than their coastal counterparts. Their name comes from the grizzled gray and brown coat that they often display due to their comparatively nutrient-poor diet.
Although brown bears resemble the more common black bear, Ursus americanus, there are some major differences. Brown bears are bulkier, typically weighing between 300 and 1,000 pounds (or more!), while black bears generally weigh between 130 and 500 pounds. Brown bears have a prominent shoulder hump, smaller ears, and larger, straighter claws. Their long claws—usually about two to four inches— help them dig for roots and unearth animal burrows, and their muscular shoulder hump helps them dig and attain short bursts of speed for catching loping caribou and moose.
Both brown and black bears’ fur can be a variety of shades, making color an unreliable identifier for differentiating between species. A black bear’s fur ranges from dark brown to cinnamontinged red to blueish gray and white. Brown bears occur in hues of brown, gray and blond.
Brown bears’ ability to hear and see is about the same as humans, but they possess an astonishing sense of smell. They are likely able to detect scents from miles away, especially downwind, and will stand erect on their hind paws to gain a better view of the land and to better catch scents on the breeze.
While an inland grizzly’s diet is typically about 80% vegetarian, coastal brown bears enjoy a more protein-rich menu. In the spring they are forced to rely on flowers, grasses and roots for sustenance, but come summer, plants play a much smaller role in their feeding habits, as they stuff themselves with salmon. In the fall, brown bears will journey miles to forage at their favorite berry sites and salmon streams, feasting on blueberries, soapberries and cranberries.
To prepare for winter and hibernation, brown bears must consume large quantities of highenergy foods in summer and fall to accumulate ample fat deposits. This period is called hyperphagia. When a bear enters its den, a healthy adult animal is obese to the extreme, with fat reserves constituting more than 50% of their total body weight.
Brown bears typically search for food during morning and evening hours, though they can be active at any time. They are opportunists, utilizing every resource available. They eat carrion and will steal prey from other carnivores. Despite their huge bulk, they are also speedy and agile hunters. In some areas in interior Alaska, as much as 40% of all moose and caribou calves fall victim to brown bears.
In late fall, before the harsh grip of winter sets in, brown bears enter their dens to begin hibernation—a physiological state that conserves energy when food is scarce. During hibernation, a bear’s metabolic rate, heart rate, and body temperature drop significantly, allowing it to survive for months without eating, drinking, or defecating.
In northern Alaska, where winters are long and severe, brown bears may spend up to 60% of their lives in this dormant state. In contrast, the milder winters of southern Alaska can lead to different behaviors: some male bears (boars) may remain active throughout the season, forgoing denning altogether, though they tend to remain relatively inactive during this time.
Depending on gender, family status and age, bears enter their dens at different times. Pregnant females and sows with cubs are first, around late September or early October, followed by sub-adults and then adult females without cubs. The last to hibernate are the dominant boars. In spring, the animals emerge in reverse order.
Brown bear dens are small, consisting of a 3- to 6-foot tunnel dug into the ground and a chamber barely large enough for the bear to turn around inside. Many of these dens collapse in spring when the soil thaws, and even those that survive the summer are rarely reused the following winter, though bears typically return to the same area to hibernate year after year.
Brown bears in Alaska have a remarkable approach to surviving winter that sets them
apart from many other hibernating animals. Rather than entering a state of deep hibernation, they go into torpor, a lighter dormancy in which their body temperature drops only slightly— typically by 5 to 12°F—allowing them to remain semi-alert and capable of waking if disturbed. This shallower form of hibernation is an adaptation to their large body size, which helps retain heat and reduces the need for an extreme metabolic slowdown. Their heart rate plummets from about 40–50 beats per minute to just 8–10, and their metabolic rate drops by 50–60%. Yet even in this energy-conserving state, a bear may lose up to 30% of its body weight over the winter, and lactating females—who give birth and nurse cubs in the den—can lose as much as 40%.
This mild torpor allows mother bears to remain responsive to their cubs’ needs while also enabling all bears to awaken quickly if threatened, offering an evolutionary balance between energy conservation and survival.
Hibernating bears don’t eat, drink, urinate, or defecate for up to seven months, relying entirely on fat stores built up during the summer and fall. Their bodies recycle metabolic waste, rebuilding proteins so that their muscle mass remains constant, as does their bone mass. The recycling of waste products also prevents metabolic waste from accumulating and reaching toxic concentrations. These physiological characteristics have made bears a popular subject in medical research; scientists hope that the results will provide new treatments for diseases such as osteoporosis and kidney failure.
Bears are solitary creatures, living alone rather than in herds or packs. The main exception is the bond between a sow and her cubs, which can last two to three years. Beyond these maternal ties, relationships between individual bears are typically fleeting.
Mating season runs from May through early July, though some sows have been observed accepting boars’ advances later in the summer. During this time, male and female bears may stay together for a few weeks at most before parting ways.
Brown bears usually give birth to two or three cubs per litter, though occasionally a sow may have four. Cubs nurse for at least two years, but by their first summer, they begin to supplement their diet with grasses, roots, herbs, and fish.
Young bears typically stay with their mothers for about two and a half years, departing only when the mother forces them to leave. Researchers believe this “family breakup” occurs shortly before the sow reenters estrus and begins seeking a new mate.
After a female bear severs the family knot, the siblings frequently feed, sleep and travel together on their own during their first summer and fall. They also often den together, finally separating the following spring. In some cases, the ties between the siblings persist for another full year. However, there is no firm, stable nexus connecting these sub-adults. The juveniles separate from time to time, usually joining up again within a few hours, but occasionally they do not reunite for several days.
At the top of the social structure are the enormous adult males, followed by maternal females, renowned for their aggression and fierce protectiveness of their cubs. At the bottom of the bear social hierarchy are threeto four-year-old, independent sub-adults.
Due to their solitary nature, bears rarely communicate with each other, except for in huffs or growls. Huffing, which sounds like a breathy cough, usually signals that a bear is scared, while growling is often a sign of anger or annoyance. A brown bear’s growls are often accompanied by aggressive body language like standing up on its hind legs, swinging its head from side to side, baring its teeth, drooling, swatting at the ground, making direct eye contact, and approaching head-on. Alternately, signs of subordinance may include lowering the head, yawning, sitting or lying down, and turning or backing away.
Although most males reach sexual maturity around seven years, it usually takes several breeding seasons before they impregnate a sow. But that doesn’t stop them from trying to mate as soon as they can, despite the associated risks! Because young boars are smaller and weaker than their older counterparts, it’s impossible for a younger male to best an older, bigger and stronger one. But they still often fight for the right to breed with a sow.
Females mature sexually one or two years earlier than males, with some sows becoming pregnant as early as 5 years of age. However, these first attempts at raising offspring are rarely successful.
Brown bears are at the top of the food chain. Without any natural predators, mortality rates among fully grown animals are low—about 5% per year.
But life is hard for a young bear. Almost one-third of cubs do not live to see a second summer, succumbing to starvation or an attack by another bear. Roughly 80% of cubs survive their first year, and of those, some 25% will die before reaching sexual maturity. In the wild, brown bears may live to about 30 years of age, though, in general, a bear that has seen more than 20 summers is regarded as old.
Although many travelers flock to Alaska for its spectacular bear-viewing opportunities, there’s an astounding array of other wildlife to see in the Last Frontier.
Alaska is home to one of the most diverse wildlife populations in North America.
There are an estimated 175,000 moose in Alaska, though it is difficult to get an accurate count since they have an uncanny ability to move their large bodies undetected through the brush and forest. Look for moose along the edges of waterways, browsing on the willows along the shore. With their long legs, they are well adapted to moving through water and deep snow. These enormous ungulates are ornery and unpredictable, so keep as much space as possible between you and them!
Gray Wolf
From a distance, gray wolves may resemble oversized huskies or Alaskan malamutes. But up close, their size and power are unmistakable. While most gray wolves average around 100 pounds, some can weigh up to 165 pounds. Their bodies stretch 5 to 6.5 feet from nose to tail, and they stand 2 to 3 feet tall at the shoulder. Despite their name, gray wolves come in a range of colors—even within the same litter—including white, gray, black, and mottled combinations of gray and black. In Alaska, it’s common to see individuals that are entirely black.
An iconic symbol of the North, caribou are equally comfortable in the boreal forest and on the open tundra. This social herd animal makes more extensive migrations and occurs in larger herd numbers than any other North American land mammal. Although they often follow similar migration patterns and frequent the same seasonal ranges, caribou can be unpredictable and diverge from their traditional routes. During summer, however, they tend to head to Alaska's coast, where tidal flats offer a respite from the ubiquitous black flies of the interior.
Humpback Whale
The humpback whale belongs to the family of rorquals, a group of baleen whales that includes blue, fin, minke, sei and Bryde’s whales. Humpback females are larger than males, measuring 45 to 50 feet in length and weighing up to 40 tons. The humpback whale has the thickest blubber of any baleen whale its size, besides the blue whale.
Orcas, also called killer whales, are the largest members of the dolphin family. These sea-dwelling mammals are widely intelligent and boast incredible social organization.
Orcas are large and robust, with a blunt head and reduced beak. The killer whale has a shiny black body, with white areas on the belly, flank and behind the eye. Males are 20 to 30 feet long, while females are slightly smaller at 13 to 17 feet long.
Alaska’s coastal waters support an extraordinary range of marine life, and some of the world’s richest fisheries.
The Russian fur trade in the 1700s almost wiped out the sea otter, but since they received protection under the Fur Seal Treaty of 1911 their numbers have rebounded considerably. Their population today in Alaska is estimated at about 70,000. They can be seen floating on their backs with forearms crossed over chest, flipper-like hind feet turned upward, and stout, short tail held straight out.
Bald Eagle
The bald eagle, recognizable by its distinctive dark body and white head and tail, has made a spectacular comeback from near-extinction. Starting with an estimated population of 100,000 in the early 1800s, by the 1960s there were fewer than 500 known nesting pairs.
Scientists figured out that the pervasive
use of DDT after World War II was causing thinning of the bald eagle’s eggshells. This led to it being listed as endangered. In 1973, legislation passed banning the use of DDT. These two legal moves— listing the bald eagle as endangered and banning DDT—were the first steps on its road to recovery.
With squat, rounded wings and a slight black bill, the willow ptarmigan resembles a cross between a chicken and a dove. Reaching 15 to 17 inches long, the willow ptarmigan is the largest of the three species of ptarmigan. Males weigh in at just over one pound and females weigh a little less. The red comb above their eyes and the square tail that remains black all year distinguish this bird from other ptarmigans. Thick feathers cover the willow ptarmigan’s legs and hide its nostrils to prevent snow from getting in. In autumn, ptarmigans also grow a solid clump of rigid feathers over their toes that act like snowshoes in winter.
Two species of puffin inhabit Alaska’s waters: tufted and horned. The latter weighs about 1.25 pounds and measures roughly 14 inches in length. It sports a thin, black “horn” stretching upwards from the eye during the summer. The tufted puffin differs from other puffin species in that its entire body is black, lacking the species' characteristic white underside.
Alaska’s national parks offer some of the most unforgettable wildlife encounters in North America—bears in Katmai and Lake Clark, moose in Denali, and whales along the coast. Many of these parks are completely roadless, accessible only by bush plane or boat, making the journey as wild as the destination.
In the words of the National Park Service, “Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is a land of stunning beauty. Volcanoes steam, salmon run, bears forage, and craggy mountains reflect in shimmering turquoise lakes. Here, too, local people and culture still depend on the land and water. Venture into the park to become part of the wilderness.”
Located in southwest Alaska, mountainous Lake Clark National Park lies at the intersection of the Alaska Range and the Aleutian Range. It covers more than 4,000 square miles—larger than Rhode Island and Connecticut combined— and comprises rivers, glaciers, estuaries, forests and meadows. The park has no roads and only a few miles of developed hiking trails.
The park is situated within the broader Bristol Bay watershed, and its waters are crucial spawning and rearing grounds for sockeye salmon, making the park's protection vital for the sustainability of the Bristol Bay salmon run. This fishery is the largest in the world, hosting runs of all five salmon species over the year (sockeye, coho, Chinook, chum and pink). Most significantly, 46% of the world’s Pacific sockeye salmon rely on Bristol Bay, with more than 37 million sockeyes returning to the bay’s watersheds to spawn every year. This fishery is critically important economically, culturally and ecologically.
Lake Clark’s eastern edge is bounded by Cook Inlet, a body of water that stretches 180 miles from the Gulf of Alaska to Anchorage in south-central Alaska. The sheer abundance of food—sedge, berries, clams and, of course, salmon—allows brown bears to gather here in high densities. It’s not uncommon to see 20 or 30 bears over the course of a day and, in one study, researchers recorded more than 200 brown bears in a 50-square-mile study area in the park at one time. These coastal brown bears are the ones we see at our private Alaska Bear Camp.
“The quiet serenity of bear viewing was wonderful. Before this trip, I had not fully appreciated the impact of being so thoroughly 'disconnected' and immersed in the beauty of nature.”
Meet the coastal brown bears of Lake Clark National Park at Nat Hab’s Alaska Bear Camp and on our Alaska Bear Camp Photo Expedition. We also visit Lake Clark and Alaska Bear Camp on June departures of our Ultimate Alaska Wildlife Safari and Ultimate Alaska Photo Expedition.
Most of Lake Clark National Park, however, lies inland. This is the land of the grizzlies. Food is far less abundant for these bears, and they are much more dispersed. Since they are significantly smaller than brown bears, it’s rare to see these grizzlies moving into the coastal habitat dominated by their larger relatives.
This rich, roadless wildness is also home to black bears, caribou, moose, lynx, fox, Dall sheep and gray wolves. Visitors may also see bird species like bald and golden eagles, hawks, osprey, peregrine falcons, sea ducks, black-legged kittiwakes, trumpeter swans, and horned and tufted puffins.
The name has been changed, and the boundaries have been altered, but Denali National Park is still unquestionably Alaska’s best-known and most-loved attraction. Situated on the northern and southern flanks of the Alaska Range, Denali is the nation’s first sub-arctic national park.
Naturalist, hunter and conservationist
Charles Sheldon first came up with the plan to conserve the region as a national park. Sheldon visited the area in 1906 and grew concerned that human encroachment could endanger the native Dall sheep, prompting him to petition the people of Alaska and Congress to preserve the area.
The park was established as Mount McKinley National Park in 1917. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter established a separate Denali National Monument, and in 1980, the Alaska Lands Act enlarged the old McKinley National Park by approximately four million acres, including the monument. This new park was renamed Denali National Park. The word Denali in the original Koyukon Athabascan is Deenaalee, which means “the high one” or “the tall one.”
Today, Denali comprises six million acres— an area slightly larger than the state of Massachusetts. It is home to healthy populations of grizzlies and black bears that thrive on the abundant wild blueberries and soapberries, along with moose, caribou,
Dall sheep, and wolves. The park also hosts abundant birdlife, including golden and bald eagles, ravens, mew gulls, gray jays, and ptarmigan.
The park’s main attraction is 20,310foot Mount Denali, the highest peak in North America. This jagged mountain— long prized by mountaineers—shoots skyward from its base at 2,000 feet above sea level. What you see from the park road is 18,000 feet—almost 3 miles of rock, snow and glaciers reaching for the sky. In contrast, Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world at 29,028 feet, only rises 11,000 feet from the Tibetan Plateau.
“Observing brown bears in their natural habitat, especially witnessing a bear catching and eating salmon, was breathtaking. I have stunning photographic images to remember these moments, but the memories shared with wonderful fellow travelers will stay with me the longest.”
—Nat Hab Traveler Rosemary T., Ultimate Alaska Wildlife Safari
On our Nat Hab adventures in Denali, we take chartered helicopters into the backcountry, flying past the icy flanks of Denali to our wilderness lodge, where we search for wildlife— including grizzly bears—among the tundra, taiga and glacial river valleys in solitude.
Katmai National Park is home to the world’s largest population of brown bears, with some 2,200 individuals residing inside the park. As many bear populations around the world decline, Katmai's 4 million acres of wilderness provide some of the last pristine habitat to sustain them. The park’s landscape features rugged coastline, the Aleutian Range (including 15 active volcanoes) and the lake region around the glacial, 150-square-mile Naknek Lake, famed for its pristine waters, abundant wildlife and sockeye salmon runs, which attract hungry brown bears each summer.
Located 275 miles southwest of Anchorage, the Katmai was first declared a National Monument in 1918 to protect the unique volcanic landscape of the Valley of 10,000 Smokes, the site of the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century and one of the five largest eruptions in recorded history.
Since then, Katmai has been expanded to protect the wildlife native to the area, notably brown bears but also caribou, red fox, lynx, wolverine, river otter, beaver, sea lions, sea otters, and harbor seals. The monument became a national park in 1980.
Just south of Naknek Lake, world-renowned Brooks Falls, situated along the Brooks River, is perhaps the best place in the world to see brown bears in their natural habitat.
This is the largest protected brown bear population anywhere on Earth, and visitors can see as many as 50 bears gathered at once during the peak of the salmon run.
During the summer, visitors can watch these immense omnivores from the safety of viewing platforms built over the water as the bears congregate in large numbers to snatch jumping salmon from the rushing waters— one of nature’s most exciting spectacles!
Witness the brown bears of Katmai’s Brooks Falls fishing and gorging on spawning salmon on July and August departures of Nat Hab’s Ultimate Alaska Wildlife Safari and Ultimate Alaska Photo Expedition. Or see them at their biggest during our fall Fat Bears of Brooks Falls Photo Expedition.
“Bear-viewing was extraordinary! Being able to observe the bears and their behavior over several days was thrilling. The floatplane tour of the Valley of 10,000 Smokes was a special bonus. We spotted swans and moose from the air while also enjoying the beautiful fall colors.”
Encounter enormous coastal brown bears aboard our private chartered ship, the Natural Habitat Ursus. Designed for exploring the Alaskan marine wilderness, our 100-foot “grizzly ship” offers an exclusive opportunity to follow and photograph bears as they amble along the shoreline digging for clams, foraging for sedges and pursuing salmon in tidal streams. Ashore, watch safely on foot with your Expedition Leader, an expert bear naturalist who knows these magnificent animals intimately. You won't find a more remote and pristine setting than Katmai National Park in which to observe Ursus arctos in all its untamed majesty. Explore Katmai by boat on Nat Hab’s Grizzly Ship nature journey and our Grizzly Ship Photo Expedition.
Alaska’s “Emerald Isle” is renowned for its massive Kodiak brown bears, productive commercial fishing ports, and the stunning green landscapes of Sitka spruce forests, sedges, mosses, and grasses that emerge in the summer. At 3,588 square miles and defined by high mountains, lush forests and a crenellated coastline, it is the secondlargest island in the United States, behind the Big Island of Hawaii.
Inhabited by Alutiiq natives for more than 7,000 years, Kodiak was colonized by Russian fur traders in 1792, whose harvest of sea otter pelts drove the species to near-extinction by the mid-19th century. As the first permanent Russian settlement in what would become Alaska, it served as the capital of Russian America until it was moved to Sitka in 1804.
Today, Kodiak is home to Alaska’s largest fishing fleet. The island sits at the crossroads of one of the most productive fishing grounds in the world, and more than 700 commercial fishing vessels bring in great hauls of salmon (more than 20 million fish per year!), halibut and herring each season. The island is also home to the largest U.S. Coast Guard base in the country and the first commercial satellite launch facility in the U.S.
Despite these attractions, remote Kodiak isn't typically featured on Alaska tour itineraries. But its scenic shores offer rich opportunities for nature lovers, with abundant wildlife populating its rockbound coves and tidal pools. Much of the island's wild terrain lies within the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, which boasts 3,500 brown bears and a multitude of other wildlife.
“This trip was spectacular! There's no way to describe just how up-close and personal we were with the bears, while feeling completely safe.”
Living on an island, Kodiak Island brown bears are both physically and genetically secluded from other bears. Because of this, Kodiak bears are classified as a subspecies of mainland bears, and they possess a few key differences—most notably their gargantuan size.
Here, mature males can weigh up to 1,700 pounds, while females can weigh up to 700 pounds. An extremely large Kodiak brown bear may have a skull 18 inches long and 12 inches wide. Such a bear, when standing on its hind legs, is about 9 feet tall.
One of the best ways to explore this marine haven? By boat! Cruising among Kodiak’s secluded bays and rocky shorelines, past tidal pools and kittiwake rookeries may reveal sea otters, puffins, bald eagles, sea lions and sometimes humpback and fin whales. And, of course, keep your eyes peeled for Kodiak brown bears on the hunt for salmon, berries and sedges.
Discover Kodiak Island on Nat Hab’s Kodiak to Katmai nature journey and our Grizzly Ship Photo Expedition.
In this remote environment, Nat Hab’s exclusive access and decades of expertise guarantee an experience you won’t find with any other tour operator or on a self-planned itinerary. Trust us to get you there, and Alaska’s stunning landscapes and iconic wildlife will do the rest!
Our small-group Alaska adventures take you farther into the wild—away from the typical tourist track. Guided by highly trained Expedition Leaders with years of experience guiding in Alaska’s remote wilderness, you’ll enjoy intimate encounters with the flora and fauna of the Last Frontier.
Immerse yourself in the heart of brown bear country at Nat Hab's private Bear Camp in the wilderness of Lake Clark National Park.
Ride the legendary Alaska Railroad past tidal bores and towering glaciers, through the rugged Kenai Mountains, and across Moose Pass, before descending to the seaside village of Seward.
Board a chartered helicopter and fly 90 miles to a deluxe backcountry lodge deep inside Denali National Park—an area unreachable by road.
Follow the coast and explore the scenic bays of Katmai National Park aboard Nat Hab’s private “grizzly ship,” offering views of bears foraging in the meadows and clamming on the tide flats— plus travel ashore by skiff to view and photograph them on foot.
Watch brown bears catch leaping salmon at world-famous Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park.
On a special autumn adventure, spend full, unhurried days photographing Katmai National Park's famed “fat bears” as they gorge on the last of the annual salmon run.
Venture into Alaska’s true wild with Nat Hab —where small groups, expert guides, and remote landscapes offer rare encounters with bears, whales, and untamed nature.
Spot marine life like sea lions, otters, puffins, bald eagles and whales in Kenai Fjords National Park and off the coast of remote Kodiak Island—home to colossal Kodiak bears and a destination not featured on most Alaska tour itineraries.
Follow these recommendations and regulations to enhance your safety and the safety of other travelers and help ensure we have minimal impact on the bears.
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Always maintain a distance of at least 50 yards from any bear, and 100 yards from females and cubs. For close-up photographs and videos, use a telephoto lens.
Give bears the right of way. Move off the path when an approaching bear is at least 50 yards away. Do not wait for a bear to show that it is disturbed. If it has to stop feeding to keep an eye on you, you have already had an impact.
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There are elevated viewing platforms at some locations. Most bears have learned they can safely ignore people on these platforms, so please remain on them at all times. If no bears are visible when you arrive, don’t be disappointed! Patience on the platforms is typically rewarded with the eventual arrival of a bear.
Do not force a bear to move out of the river or change its activity. Whenever you are on a beach, watch for bears and if you see one, move away.
Federal regulations state that you may not leave food or fish where bears can get it. Never leave a backpack with food or beverages unattended in bear country and always dispose of trash in the proper receptacles. 5 6 7 4
When you hike, make noise to alert bears of your presence. It is important the noise be recognizable as “people noise.” Shouting and clapping are best. Don’t whistle. Because vegetation or a stream may mask your sound, keep your eyes open and be alert.
If a bear approaches, it is likely that either it is unaware of your presence, or it has tasted human food in the past and associates people with an easy meal. If this happens, talk calmly to the bear to indicate that you are a person and not another bear as you slowly move away.
Reading about Alaska before your trip brings the landscape to life. Thrilling fiction captures its wild heart, while nonfiction reveals the stories behind its wildlife, cultures, and untamed terrain. The more you know going in, the richer and more meaningful every moment of your adventure becomes.
Dominion of Bears: Living with Wildlife in Alaska | Sherry Simpson
This series of essays combines scientific sources, interviews with experts and field research to help the reader better understand Alaskan bears in both wild and urban spaces.
Into Brown Bear Country | Will Troyer
Filled with close-up photographs, this is an excellent introduction to the brown bears of Kodiak and Katmai, mixing natural history with the author's own experiences studying and photographing bears for nearly 50 years.
Travels in Alaska | John Muir
The centerpiece of this beloved classic is Muir's wide-eyed account of the discovery of Glacier Bay in southeastern Alaska—now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve and part of the world’s largest non-polar ice complex.
Bears of the Last Frontier: The Adventure of a Lifetime Among Alaska's Black, Grizzly, and Polar Bears | Chris Morgan
Follow along as the author, a bear biologist and wildlife conservationist, follows a PBS film crew shooting the documentary Bears of the Last Frontier. Traveling more than 4,000 miles by motorcycle, Morgan paints an intimate portrait of the three bear species—brown, black and polar—that inhabit the North American landscape.
In the Presence of Grizzlies | Doug Peacock
A compelling chronicle of the complicated and sometimes tragic interactions between grizzlies and humans, revealed through interviews with biologists, hunters and mauling victims, and observations of the bears themselves.
The Great Alaska Nature Factbook | Susan Ewing
Perfect for Alaska-bound families, this new edition of Ewing's pocket encyclopedia gathers facts and figures on the 49th state's natural history, with short, illustrated essays on everything from murrelets to volcanoes, bears and salmon.
Alaska Almanac | Alaska Northwest
Discover zany facts and figures on the geography, history and culture of Alaska. Peppered with onlyin-Alaska jokes and goofy illustrations, it makes for leisurely, entertaining browsing for the whole family.
Coming into the Country | John McPhee
A superb introduction to the state, McPhee’s lyrical portrait combines interesting facts, history and issues with sketches of frontier life and unforgettable Alaskan characters.
Watch the Bear: A Half Century with the Brown Bears of Alaska | Derek Stonorov
Stonorov, a retired wildlife biologist and guide, blends his experiences from 50 years studying brown bears in Alaska with scientific observations and bear behavior and conservation in this engaging memoir. The book also offers advice on how humans can coexist with these oftenmisunderstood creatures.
The Quiet World: Saving Alaska’s Wilderness Kingdom 1879-1960 | Douglas Brinkley
This comprehensive book by acclaimed historian Brinkley highlights the endeavors of artists, conservationists, government officials and grassroots activists who joined forces to protect their natural landscapes and wildlife from exploitative industries such as mining, fishing and oil. The narrative culminates with the establishment of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in 1960.
Alaska: A Novel | James Michener
In this expansive saga of America's northern frontier, Michener takes us on a journey through Alaska’s rugged landscapes and rich history, spanning from its ancient origins to its vibrant present.
What is the best time of year for bear viewing in Alaska?
Summer and early fall are the best times of the year to see grizzlies. Because the bears are preoccupied with feeding, they are calmer and more unconcerned with humans than at any other time of year. The months of June through September are also optimal for visiting Alaska due to warmer temperatures, more hours of daylight, and increased chances of encountering a diverse range of wildlife.
Each month brings something unique to the bear-viewing experience. June is when bears congregate to socialize, mate and eat from oceansupplied food sources. Mating season peaks in mid to late June, and play behavior among younger bears is at its highest during this time. July is a transitional month that offers diverse bear behavior as well as frequent grazing on wildflowers, which peak during this month. In August, bears are focused on feeding on salmon, which run upstream from the sea to spawn. Because of this, intense, feeding bears are mostly oblivious to the presence of humans. September is a great time to visit due to the bears' filled-out physical appearance and seasonal golden light, which make for wonderful photography opportunities.
What is the weather like in Alaska from June to September?
The massive size of Alaska means that weather varies greatly, depending on time and place. During bear season, coastal Alaska tends to be cooler, with temperatures in the 50s and 60s, while the interior of the state can experience temperatures in the 80s. Be prepared for a range of weather, especially rain in the coastal areas. Fairbanks and Denali are typically drier and more arid than the Katmai and Kenai regions, but both areas can experience warmer, sunny days and cooler, wetter days. In Katmai, temperatures normally range between 45°F and 60°F and rarely fall below 40°F from June through September. The average high temperature at Brooks Falls in September is 55°F, and the average low is 40°F.
Will I have any chance to see fall foliage on an Alaska tour?
Leaves can change anywhere from mid-August to mid-September, so depending on the specific Alaska adventure, travelers on many of our later departures have the opportunity to view Alaska in its autumn splendor.
Can you name the highest mountain in North America? Any idea of what a coastal brown bear eats, or what wildlife might be unveiled as you cruise Kenai Fjords? Take our Alaska wilderness quiz to put your knowledge of the Last Frontier to the test.
In addition to bears, what wildlife might I see in Alaska?
In Katmai National Park, you may spot gray wolves, moose, minks, hares, beavers, porcupine, sea otters, seals, humpback whales, orcas, golden eagles, bald eagles and various other bird species. Lake Clark National Park is home to Dall sheep, caribou, moose, wolves, lynx and foxes. In Denali National Park, look for wolves, coyotes, Dall sheep, mountain goats, moose, caribou, ptarmigans, golden eagles and other bird species.
What clothing should I pack for an Alaska adventure?
In the heat of the summer, temperatures inland can reach into the 80s, though it is always cooler on the water. Layers are a good idea, including lightweight, waterproof rain gear, a fleece, as well as long- and short-sleeved shirts. Keep a fleece hat and gloves in your daypack. Pack sturdy hiking boots for extended walks and another pair of comfortable shoes. For further details of what to bring, peruse this helpful packing list and check out Nat Hab’s online Gear Store for some of the key items recommended for your adventure.
Will there be cell phone service or Internet connection in Alaska?
While cell phone service and Internet connection is available in major towns, it is limited or nonexistent in the more remote places you’ll visit for bear viewing. We encourage Nat Hab guests to unplug during the adventure to enjoy an immersive experience in nature.
What camera gear is best for photographing bears in Alaska?
In general, the best camera is the one you have with you. While this is overly simple, it’s a great point to keep in mind, as there really is no perfect camera. Rather, it is about how well you know it and are willing to use it.
That said, photography in Alaska requires some telephoto capabilities, so plan on bringing a camera capable of at least 10x or 20x zoom (if using a point-and-shoot) or the equivalent of a 300mm or 400mm if on a mirrorless or DSLR. Make sure to bring a wide-angle lens as well, as landscapes and general travel photo opportunities abound.
Please check out our dedicated photography site, The Natural Photographer, for up-to-date articles on wildlife and nature photography, as well as general tips on all types of cameras.
Can Nat Hab take our family or a group on a private Alaska adventure?
Yes! Families or friend groups can reserve entire departures on a private basis. Please call our office at 800-543-8917 for group size and pricing details.
With abundant wildlife, dramatic landforms and fascinating history, a trip to Alaska is an unforgettable adventure.
Call 800-543-8917 to learn more about our Alaska bear-viewing offerings, as well as private, custom and family options.
© J Gibson
