Overview

A full-day bear viewing trip like no other, this tour departs from the Lake Hood Seaplane Base in Anchorage. The flight path traces over the Cook Inlet, alongside the volcanoes of Lake Clark National Park, and across two mountain passes in the southernmost expanse of the Alaska Range. The pilot provides narration intermittently throughout the flight, pointing out landmarks and chatting about local area features and history. The two- to three-hour flight ends with a water landing on either Lake Brooks or Naknek Lake.

See some of Alaska's largest bears.

The first step after arriving in Katmai is attending the park's required bear safety orientation. Park rangers discuss bear behavior and detail the regulations in place to keep both bears and people safe. From here, it's just over a mile from the visitor center to the popular Falls Platform. An established trail winds through birch and spruce trees, passing through gates meant to deter bears, although seeing one ambling down the trail is not impossible. The subtle rushing sound of the river gets louder until a network of raised platforms comes into view. One path forks to the Riffles Platform, the other to the platform overlooking Brooks Falls.

Brown bears congregate in this natural bottleneck, staking out choice spots to fish and feast. These are some of Alaska's largest bears, fattened by an abundance of salmon. They wade in the clear water, plopping down in swirling rapids, and plunking their faces for a look below the surface. The platforms are close enough to see water trickling off their brown coats and the twitch of their noses as they sniff at the air. Occasionally a sow will come into view, trailed by spring or yearling cubs. Time can flash by in this mesmerizing setting, so keep a close eye on a watch. The trip concludes with a scenic flight back to Anchorage.

More Details

The chances of seeing bears in Katmai National Park are good but not guaranteed. July typically offers the best opportunities. Time spent on the ground at the park is self-guided. Because of the popularity of Katmai bear viewing and a relatively small falls viewing area, Katmai National Park Rangers may institute an onsite wait list at the Lower River platform to control the number of people and amount of time they spend there. This ultimately enhances the bear viewing experience. A new Brooks River bridge was installed in 2019 to help with congestion.

Flights between Anchorage and Katmai can sometimes be delayed or canceled due to weather. This is a remote location and the flight path goes through two mountain passes. Do not schedule this tour on the same day as a departure from Anchorage. On the day of the trip, prepare to be flexible as the tour operator adjusts to ensure the safest experience possible.

What to Bring

Much of the excursion is spent outside, so dress in layers, wear sturdy hiking boots that can get muddy, and take rain gear. Bring a camera, binoculars, and bug spray. As Katmai is an isolated location only accessible by plane, bring essential medications as well.

Special Instructions

Accurate passenger weight is required for aircraft weight and balance.

Transfers & Meeting Points

The trip departs from the tour operator's office at the Lake Hood Seaplane Base. Complimentary transportation to and from most major Anchorage hotels is provided. Limited parking is available. Passengers who drive in are asked to leave their keys with the tour operator front desk. Check in 30 minutes prior to tour departure.

Rates & Dates

Here are the rates and operating dates for this product. Remember, we have a lowest price guarantee for nearly everything we sell.

Child rates apply to children under the age of 13, but this tour is not recommended for children under the age of 6.

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Availability

Select a departure below to see current availability. If your desired date is sold out (red) we will do our best to find an alternative, but we may not be able to accommodate your request.