Bear Viewing in Alaska's Lake Clark National Park: A Bucket List Experience!
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I’ve been fascinated with Alaska since I was a little girl. Balto was one of my favorite movies growing up, and I had always dreamed of visiting The Last Frontier. When the opportunity to visit last year for a conference came up, I immediately booked my flight and knew that I wanted my first time in Alaska to be absolutely amazing.
With that said, one of the first experiences that came to mind for my trip was bear viewing. I had seen lots of videos of bear viewing in Alaska and knew that this unforgettable experience would be a dream come true - and now looking back on that experience, it honestly is the best activity I’ve ever done while traveling!
Alaska is home to some of the largest populations of brown bears and offers unparalleled opportunities to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, with Lake Clark National Park being among the top destination for bear viewing in the state. Lake Clark is a remote wilderness area renowned for its stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife. And when I say remote, I mean it. You can only reach Lake Clark National Park by plane, which is surprisingly a common occurrence in Alaska.
In this article, we'll dive into the exciting world of bear viewing in Alaska, with a particular focus on Lake Clark National Park. From understanding the best times to visit and how to get there, to an honest review of a flyover tour with Rust’s Flying Services - we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your bucket list bear-viewing adventure!
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Alaska is the top destination for bear viewing because it’s home to almost 98% of the brown bear population in the United States. So yes, chances are high that you’ll see a bear in its’ natural habitat!
Popular bear viewing regions can be found across Alaska, including Katmai National Park, Denali National Park, Tongass National Forest, and Lake Clark National Park. These powerful animals are known for their impressive size, with some males weighing over 1,000 pounds!
Seeing pictures of them is one thing, but seeing them hunt for salmon in person is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And if you want an authentic bear viewing experience, head over to Lake Clark National Park.
Never heard of Lake Clark National Park? You’re not the only one. This park is one of the largest national parks in the United States but it’s also one of the least visited. The main reason why it’s less frequently visited is because the only way to get there is by plane; making it probably the most expensive national park to visit.
Regardless, Lake Clark National Park is a top destination for bear viewing in Alaska and it’s worth every penny. It’s situated 121 miles southwest of Anchorage and this park has it all. The park is full of diverse landscapes, including glaciers, alpine tundra, pristine lakes, and coastal areas, providing a rich ecosystem for the bears to thrive. With an estimated population of around 200 brown bears, Lake Clark National Park offers some of the best bear viewing opportunities in the state.
During the summer and early fall months, bears congregate along the shoreline to feed on the abundant salmon runs, providing visitors with incredible sightings as the bears fish and interact with each other. The park's remote and rugged terrain ensures that visitors can observe bears in their natural environment, undisturbed by human activity.
Lake Clark National Park is about as remote as it gets. The only way to get to Lake Clark and the surrounding areas is by plane.
The tour I took from Anchorage was with Rust’s Flying Services and we flew to Redoubt Mountain Lodge for the day. The flights from Anchorage to Redoubt Mountain Lodge typically take around 70 minutes and provide breathtaking aerial views of the park's landscapes. And I’m not exaggerating about the views! I have about 20 photos taken from the window of the plane and all are of the most vibrant, beautiful scenery I’ve ever seen. Your eyes will be glued to the window the entire time!
This was hands down, my favorite thing I did while visiting Alaska and I can’t recommend it enough! And while it is an expensive activity, if you can splurge a little, I promise that you won’t be disappointed.
Rust’s Flying Services is based out of Anchorage and their sister company, K2 Aviation, is based in Talkeetna. The company started in 1964 and introduced the “bear viewing in a day” concept in the mid-90s with hopes of offering this bucket list experience to a wider range of visitors.
Rust’s offers four different bear-viewing adventures departing from Anchorage and the tour I went on was to Lake Clark National Park for $1,245 per person. On this tour, you’ll experience a full-day trip filled with breathtaking scenes and close encounters with Alaska's famed brown bears. This tour is about 11 hours long and departs at 8am from Anchorage. Extended and overnight packages are also offered for those seeking a deeper dive into Alaska's wild beauty. If you’re looking for something shorter, Rust’s does offer a 6-hour day tour with a 50-minute flight starting at $1,045 per person to Redoubt Bay Lodge (different from Redoubt Mountain Lodge).
The journey begins with an intimate 70-minute scenic flightseeing tour departing from Anchorage, captained by Rust's seasoned bush pilots. Each guest is guaranteed a window seat, complete with a 2-way headset for an interactive narration of the landscapes below. Dan was my pilot that day and he has been flying for over 40 years so I felt extremely comfortable and knew I was in great hands.
70 minutes may seem like a long time, but it felt more like 45. The views from the plane were truly captivating and I was in awe the entire flight. You can expect to see the landscape change multiple times throughout the flight and you’ll see lush, green mountains, glaciers, bright blue glacier-fed lakes, and more! And be sure to keep your eyes open as you fly over the lake before landing. We spotted 5-6 bears on the shore on our descent!
Redoubt Mountain Lodge sits on the edge of Lake Clark National Park and is a lake surrounded by mountain ranges and tall trees. Upon touching down on the water, your float plane will glide to the shore where you’ll disembark.
This area is renowned for its extraordinary bear population, making it a prime spot for viewing. Your adventure includes bear watching from the safety and comfort of a covered pontoon boat, guided by experienced naturalists, and a homemade lunch inside the lodge. This habitat, rich in sockeye and Coho salmon, attracts bears in droves, offering unbelievable photography and observation opportunities.
After landing at Redoubt Mountain Lodge, we immediately signed waivers, put on our bright yellow rain jackets, and loaded onto the pontoon boat with our guide, Catie. Our naturalist guide shared some facts about the area and the bear population that call it home and then we were off to find some bears. Luckily, Catie knew the habits of the bears very well and we spotted our first bear within 10 minutes!
Each time a bear is spotted, your guide will get you as close as they can and idle so that you can snap pictures and take it all in. We never felt rushed at all.
For lunch, we had a delicious homecooked meal made by Savannah which was a pecan-crusted salmon - fresh caught, of course!
We saw all types of bears that day. Large bears hunting for salmon, mamma bears catching salmon for her cubs, and even a bear family taking a nap. The napping bears were probably my favorite. There was a male, a female, and two cubs sprawled out on the shore sleeping with tons of salmon carnage next to them - it was pretty funny to see!
In total, we saw close to 10 bears that day and each one was just as fascinating as the last. The day’s itinerary was supposed to be split up to where we would be on the boat for a few hours, break for lunch, and then go back in the boat for the last few hours, but our day was cut short due to an incoming storm and we needed to head back to Anchorage right away before it was unsafe to do so. And that was okay, no one complained because we knew it was in our best interest and, we had seen tons of bears and created lasting memories.
Remember, the activity level is rated mild, involving a small amount of walking. Guests must be able to load on and off of a seaplane and onto a pontoon boat. As you prepare for this adventure, consider wearing comfortable, layered attire as Alaska’s weather in this region can be unpredictable and you’ll want to stay warm while out on the water.
If you’re thinking of staying for more than just one day, you can do that by either arranging it through Rust’s or you can book directly with Redoubt Mountain Lodge.
Redoubt Mountain Lodge offers remote cabin accommodations in the heart of Lake Clark National Park. This unique lodge, accessible only by floatplane or helicopter, is situated on the stunning, glacier-fed waters of Crescent Lake, providing a quiet retreat from the outside world. With the towering Redoubt Volcano just 8 miles away, guests are treated to dramatic landscapes right at their doorstep.
The lodge stands as the only privately owned property in the area. Guests can choose from a variety of activities including bear viewing—a highlight for many visitors, fishing, or kayaking. The lodge's dedication to personalized service means each guest receives tailored guidance and support during their stay, ensuring that you make the most out of your time on the property.
Accommodations at Redoubt Mountain Lodge are designed to provide comfort in the wilderness, allowing guests to unwind after a day filled with outdoor adventures like hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, and, notably, some of the best bear-watching in Alaska. If you’re looking for a true escape to the Alaskan wilderness - this is the perfect place to stay!
The peak bear viewing season at Lake Clark National Park is during the summer months and into early fall, typically from late May through September.
Late May to Early July - This is an excellent time to witness bears feeding in the coastal meadows and along the rivers. During this period, you may also catch glimpses of mother bears with their newborn cubs emerging from their dens.
Mid-July to August - The salmon run in the parks’ rivers and streams attracts a large concentration of bears, making this the prime time for bear viewing. Bears can be seen fishing for salmon, providing incredible opportunities to observe their hunting behaviors and interactions.
September - (This is the time of year that I visited.) As the salmon run winds down, bears enter a period of hyperphagia, consuming as much food as possible to prepare for hibernation. This is an ideal time to see bears foraging for berries, roots, and other salmon before they spawn off, in preparation for the long winter ahead.
It's important to note that bear activity can vary from year to year, and the timing of peak viewing can shift slightly based on environmental factors such as weather patterns and food availability. Consulting with local guides and park rangers can help you plan your visit during the optimal time for the bear-viewing experience you desire.
Lake Clark National Park is a true wilderness paradise, offering one of the premier bear-viewing experiences in the world. With its remote location, pristine natural habitats, and abundant bear population, it provides an unparalleled opportunity to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural environment.
For me, it was an experience of a lifetime and a true bucket list adventure! I will cherish the memories of witnessing bears hunt for salmon forever and I hope that you’re able to make similar memories of your own!
Happy travels!
-Tess
Tess Arnold
Hi! I’m Tess, founder of TravelingTessie.com, and not only do I love to travel, but I love immersing myself in new places and finding off the beaten path experiences wherever I go! I’ve lived in 4 different states & traveled to 13 countries and counting. I believe that tourism is meant to benefit both visitors and locals alike—and I want to bring that idea back into the travel industry by highlighting companies run by locals such as tours, hotels, restaurants, and more. On Traveling Tessie you can find hidden gems in top destinations around the world, travel tips, detailed city guides, and tons of inspiration for your next trip! If you love travel as much as I do, then please join me on this journey! I hope you enjoy my content as much as I enjoy providing it for you!