Bear Viewing

You’ve seen the iconic photos of bears balanced at the top of the falls waiting patiently for salmon to launch themselves within reach. Now take your own photo at the bear viewing platform at Brooks Falls.

The flight is full of breath-taking scenery featuring the vast waters of Cook Inlet, and the mountains, glaciers, alpine lakes and rivers of the Aleutian Range. You’ll fly over McNeil River State Game Sanctuary and Refuge – also known for its incredible bear viewing – and land on the shores of Naknek Lake in Katmai National Park and Preserve.

From here your bear venture truly begins, as bears sometimes roam among the parked aircraft and along the trail to the viewing platform! National Park Service staff conduct a required orientation on how to safely view and respect the multitude of bears that are expending all their energy fattening up for the long winter months.

Your first scene of bear activity will likely be on the two-mile walk to the viewing platform at Brooks Falls. From there, prepare to spend a few hours in awe as you see bears fishing and eating up close. The largest, most dominant bears take position at the Falls, with smaller bears, sows and cubs a little further down the river. The Brooks Falls bears tend to be a little more aggressive with each other in July, before they’ve had a chance to fatten up much, so you may see interesting bear interactions along with some keen fishing techniques.
The ten-hour day ends with a flight back to Anchorage, and a camera full of great photos.

10 hours – $1,250 per person. Lunches and park fees are included in the price

Private Charters Available