Bear Watching Alaska: Best Timing
Bear watching in Alaska provides an unforgettable experience as you observe these powerful animals in their natural habitat. In our neck of the woods, the Redoubt Bay Critical Habitat area, brown and black bears typically emerge from hibernation between late March and early April. Their return is influenced by the severity of winter and availability of food. To make the most of your wilderness experience, join a bear viewing tour for a safe and exciting encounter with these incredible creatures.
What month are bears most active in Alaska?
Bears are plentiful across Alaska, in total, Alaska’s bear population is estimated to be around 140,000 bears! To increase chances of viewing bears, adventurers visit locations where bears frequently gather, popular destinations like Redoubt Bay Lodge.
We are located 7 miles from Cook Inlet, and our lodge experiences an early influx of sockeye salmon starting in late May. This attracts a significant number of bears to the area. June, July, and August are the best months to observe Alaska’s coastal brown bears with their cubs, as well as black bears, in their natural habitat from our lodge.
What time of day is best for bear watching in Alaska?
The best times for bear watching in Alaska during spring and summer are at dawn and dusk when bears are most actively searching for food, but you can almost always find bears right around Otter Lake where we are located. To maximize your bear viewing experience you can plan an overnight stay with us. When the day travelers have, gone we have the whole place to ourselves with a small number of guests. You can often find bears along the shoreline, scavenging for animals, digging for shellfish, or grazing on plants. As spring transitions to summer, their feeding habits shift to focus on incoming runs of fish, and this is when our bear viewing is at its finest.
For a truly remarkable sight, late July to early September is the prime season to observe bears congregating at streams to feast on spawning salmon. Witnessing this natural spectacle provides a unique insight into the bears’ lives and the vibrant ecosystem they inhabit that we are very fortunate to share.
Bear Watching Tour
Redoubt Bay Lodge offers a half day guided Alaska bear viewing tour with a trained naturalist guide who will take you for an up close and safe view of our nearest neighbors. We watch from a safe distance in a motorized boat. The half day trip with a flight originating from Anchorage costs $1150 for adults and $1055 for children. These day tours include the roundtrip floatplane trip, a delicious lunch and some amazing bear watching in Alaska’s pristine wilderness. Join us for an unforgettable adventure and create lasting memories as you marvel at the beauty and power of Alaska’s bears.
