You’d Better BEARlieve It

If you are visiting Southeast Alaska one of the first questions you might be asking yourself is, “Where can I see bears in Alaska?” Well, look no further, as I am here to guide you on exactly how to make that happen. From Skagway to Ketchikan to Juneau bear viewing tours, we have you covered. To begin your trip planning, I should mention that bears are most prominent in the months of July through September (information from Natural Habitat Adventures), so please keep that in mind as you peruse our Alaska bear adventures!

First things first, we can never predict or guarantee ANY wildlife sightings during your trip or on your excursions with us! We strive to give back 5% of our sales to charity, this year to the Alaska Conservation Foundation, and we love protecting Alaska and every creature inside of this glorious State. Please remember, do not approach or interact with any bear you spot along your journey!

Experience the thrill of seeing wild bears in Alaska! Nothing quite compares to the thrill of catching your first glimpse of an Alaskan brown bear.

Skagway, Alaska Bear Adventures

Our first stop along our search for the perfect Alaska bear adventures takes us to the northern tip of the Inside Passage. Skagway Alaska, a historic gold rush town, is surrounded by vast wilderness and just a short drive from Canada’s famous wilds, the Yukon Territory. All this untamed land, combined with a more arid climate (less dense trees), makes Skagway a wonderful spot to spy your bears in Alaska!

Wildlife Safari & Bear Viewing

What better way to see bears in Alaska than a safari? This full-day wildlife excursion is a spectacular opportunity to see not just bears in Alaska, but a multitude of famous Alaskan critters, from otters to eagles! You will start this adventure with a fast ferry ride to picturesque Haines, Alaska. Highlights include exploring alongside the Chilkoot River where huge salmon runs create a feast and an excellent opportunity for bear viewing, a tour of historic Fort Seward, and a picnic lunch on the beach for more wildlife opportunities. This tour is a truly special, small group Alaska bear adventure via bus, with plenty of opportunities to explore the Chilkoot Valley and quickly get out to take pictures if you spot any wildlife! (From a safe distance of course!)

• Price: $$
• Duration: 6.5 hours
• Activity Level: Mild

It’s all in the name. Skagway’s Wildlife Safari and Bear Viewing tour is a perfect tour to see Brown bears doing what bears in Alaska are known to do: eating salmon!

Yukon Discovery or Yukon Discovery & Sled Dog

If you’d like a little more history to go along with your Alaska bear adventures, check out the scenic and culturally rich Yukon Discovery tour! Both the Yukon Discovery and the Yukon Discovery & Sled Dog tours will take you along the famous Klondike Highway into Canada and to the legendary Yukon! This beautiful scenic drive is favorable for bear sightings. Last time I took it, I saw mama black bear and her 2 cubs hanging out in a tree! Personally, these tours are among my favorites for the opportunity to see bears in Alaska, because of the comprehensive sightseeing experience, and the low price point.

• Price: $
• Duration: 6.5 hours
• Activity Level: Mild

With its high elevations and drier climate, Canada’s Yukon territory is prime for spying bears through the less-dense trees!

Juneau Bear Viewing

Juneau: Alaska’s historic capital city, a prime area for glacier viewing, and an ideal location for Alaska bear adventures. As such, Juneau bear viewing has to be among my favorite areas for its excitement, exclusivity, and adventure. While we only offer one true tour Juneau bear viewing tour, trust me, it’s worth booking this one early!

Admiralty Island Fortress of the Bear Kayak

The quintessential experience of Alaska bear adventures comes out of Juneau. Pack Creek is the prime spot for Juneau bear viewing as Admiralty Island has a 1 Alaskan brown bear per square mile, and Pack Creek is where they all go to feed! As such, the Admiralty Island Fortress of the Bears Kayak is by far our most exclusive tour. Only 24 guests can enter this territory per day during peak bear season, making for truly special & wild Alaska bear adventures! So, my suggestion here is to book as early as possible, because this Juneau bear viewing tour is worth the price tag.

You will board a float plane for the 25-minute flight to Admiralty Island for Juneau bear viewing at Pack Creek, where you can view Alaskan brown bears in their natural habitat. Next, you will kayak along the coastline toward your next bear-viewing destination keeping your eyes out for various other wildlife sightings, because it would be a true Alaskan adventure without a few eagles! This incredible Juneau bear viewing tour even includes a delicious picnic lunch and concludes with float plane ride back. (Prime Juneau bear viewing time is July through August).

• Price: $$$
• Duration: 8 hours
• Activity Level: Moderate-Strenuous

Ketchikan Bear Opportunities

After your Juneau bear viewing experience, our last stop on the journey is Ketchikan! Known as the “Salmon Capital of the World,” Ketchikan is a prime lunch spot for bears in Alaska, making it the perfect place for more Alaska bear adventures.

Neets Bay Bear Watch

With exclusive access to one of Alaska’s prime black bear habitats, the Neets Bay Bear Watch Adventure is among the absolute best tours in Ketchikan Alaska (or the state at large!) for experiencing the Last Frontier’s iconic wildlife. One of our newest Ketchikan cruise excursions, this limited-space adventure starts with a scenic boat ride through the multitude of islands surrounding Ketchikan. You will experience the Neets Bay Salmon Hatchery, where each year many thousands of fry begin their journey towards the ocean, before arriving at the famous Neets Bay Creek. Here, you’ll have the chance to spot bears as they fish for salmon from the crystal waters! I definitely recommend remembering your camera for this one. (Note: this tour operates from mid-July through September, prime bear viewing season!)

• Price: $$-$$$
• Duration: 4.5 hours
• Activity Level: Moderate

Your Alaska bear adventures are best served with a side of solitude. 

Bear Express Tour

Our final excursion, on which you may see those bears in Alaska you’ve been dreaming about, brings together budget-friendly travel and ample wildlife opportunities! This tour is one of the best options for keen bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts of all ages. Located just eight miles from Ketchikan along a scenic coastal drive, the 40 acre Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary is a private reserve home to abundant bird and animal life. Here, you will experience major salmon runs in Eagle Creek due to the hatchery, so depending on the time of year you may be able to spot a hungry black bear meandering through (like the one pictured below!)

• Price: $
• Duration: 2 hours
• Activity Level: Mild-Moderate

Brown bears aren’t the only species of bear lumbering around Alaska! Black bears are also very common throughout the last frontier.