6 Essentials for Bear Watching Trips

According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the state is home to approximately 32,000 brown bears.

With such a large population, it’s no wonder that bear-watching is a popular activity in the state. You might be planning a tour to see these amazing creatures up close. Watching bears can be an exciting and memorable experience.

You’ll see bears in their natural habitat, fishing for salmon or roaming the wilderness. It’s a chance to witness nature at its wildest.

But you might be unsure about what to pack for the trip. Read on to uncover eight essentials for bear-watching trips.

1. Binoculars for a Clear View

Bears usually stay far away, and you don’t want to depend on luck. A good pair of binoculars helps you see them clearly without getting too close. Look for binoculars with a wide field of view and strong magnification.

These features make it easy to spot bears, even in dense forests. Binoculars let you focus on essential details, like:

Cubs playing
Feeding habits
Unique markings
Fishing behavior
Tracks and footprints

Whether you’re in a popular location or exploring remote areas, binoculars are essential for the best Alaska wildlife experiences. They make it easier to enjoy the bears from a safe distance, giving you a clearer view of their natural behavior.

2. A High-Resolution Camera

Seeing a bear in the wild is exciting, but capturing the moment is even better. A high-resolution camera with a zoom lens lets you safely photograph these amazing creatures. Look for a camera that works well outdoors

Seeing a bear in the wild is one of Alaska’s most thrilling experiences. And while the moment itself is unforgettable, capturing it on camera lets you relive it—and share it with others. A high-resolution camera with a zoom lens is ideal for safely photographing these amazing creatures without getting too close. Look for a camera that performs well in outdoor lighting, which can shift quickly in the wild.

Today’s modern cell phones can also be excellent tools for capturing Alaska’s beauty. Many come equipped with advanced cameras and zoom features that allow you to take high-quality photos from a safe distance. On your guided bear-viewing tour, don’t hesitate to ask your guide for photography tips—they know the best ways to capture wildlife respectfully and effectively. They can help you capture the best moments.

Whether you’re using a DSLR or your phone, having a good camera is one of the key nature hike essentials. It ensures you take home more than just memories—you bring back the kind of photos that tell the story of your bear-watching adventure.

A good camera is one of the key nature hike essentials. It lets you take home unforgettable memories from your bear-watching adventure.

3. Weather-Appropriate Clothing

Bear-watching often involves long hours outdoors in unpredictable weather. Dressing in layers helps keep you comfortable on both cold mornings and warm afternoons. Waterproof gear is essential if you’re in a rainy area.

Sturdy hiking boots give you the traction needed on rough terrain. Before heading out, check the forecast to pack the right clothing for your trip. These might include:

Waterproof jacket
Warm layers
Hiking boots
Moisture-wicking socks
Gloves and hat
Sunglasses

Packing these items will help you stay dry and warm while exploring bear-viewing locations. Being prepared makes your trip much more enjoyable.

4. A Good Backpack for Gear Storage

A well-organized backpack can make your bear-watching trip much easier. Consider a bag that’s big enough to carry your essentials but still comfortable to wear. Look for a pack with multiple compartments so you can easily access items like:

If you’re going into the wilderness for a longer trip, choose a pack with a hydration system. Staying refreshed throughout the journey is important. Having a well-packed and organized backpack allows you to focus on enjoying the experience.

5. A Field Guide to Identify Bears

Bears come in different species, and each has its own behavior. Carry a field guide to help you identify bears and understand their habits.

A guide can help you spot key features that set each species apart. Pay attention to their:

Size
Fur color
Unique markings
Behavior
Tracks

Knowing these details enhances your experience and helps you stay safe. If a bear approaches, understanding its characteristics can help you react appropriately.

Many national parks and conservation areas offer free bear guides. Take advantage of these resources before your trip to prepare for any encounters.

6. First Aid Kit for Emergencies

Accidents can happen in the wild, so carrying a first aid kit is wise. It’s important to pack supplies for managing minor injuries and staying safe.

A well-stocked kit can help you handle small problems before they become serious. It can include:

Bandages
Antiseptic wipes
Pain relievers
Necessary medications
Tweezers

If you’re traveling with a group, make sure everyone knows where the kit is. Having the right medical supplies can prevent accidents from ruining your bear-watching adventure.

Making the Most of Your Bear-Watching Adventure

Bear-watching is an exciting way to experience nature and observe wildlife in its natural habitat. With the right preparation, you can make the most of your trip and stay safe while enjoying incredible moments. Following the tips shared in this guide will help you have a rewarding and memorable experience.

If you’re considering a bear-watching trip and looking for a reliable guide, consider Bear Creek Outfitters. We’ve been offering unforgettable wildlife tours in Southeast Alaska for over 30 years.

As a locally owned business, we specialize in providing small-group, authentic adventures. Let us show you the wild beauty of Alaska!

Bear Creek Outfitters: Unleash Your Adventure in Alaska

Too many people visit Alaska and leave feeling like they only scratched the surface. A rushed fishing charter, a crowded sightseeing tour, or a roadside pull-off just doesn’t cut it. Not when you came all this way for something wild.

The real Alaska is quiet, raw, and tucked deep beyond the beaten path. That’s exactly where Bear Creek Outfitters takes you. With nearly 30 years of experience, we help you skip the tourist lines and step straight into the untouched heart of Southeast Alaska.

Read on if you’re after the kind of story that’s hard to believe but impossible to forget.

Why Southeast Alaska?

Southeast Alaska isn’t built for highways. It’s built for floatplanes, rivers, and old-growth forests. That’s part of what makes it so appealing for anglers and wildlife watchers.

You don’t just go sightseeing; you step straight into one of the richest ecosystems in North America.

The Tongass National Forest covers nearly 17 million acres and is considered the largest national forest in the U.S. It’s mostly temperate rainforest, fed by glaciers and tides, and filled with fish, bears, eagles, and wolves. The sheer volume of untouched land means you’re not fighting for space out there; you’re often the only ones around.

Some reasons people are drawn to this part of Alaska include:

Access to remote waters filled with wild Pacific salmon
Unmatched scenery with fjords, mountains, and massive spruce forests
Higher chance of wildlife sightings compared to road-access locations
Smaller fishing pressure and less human impact on the rivers
Better water clarity and cooler temps for peak fishing conditions

It’s no surprise that Southeast Alaska is a hub for adventure travel Alaska fans who want more than a bus tour. The region offers something you just don’t get from the roadside; it offers time. Time to fish, time to spot bears, and time to actually take it all in without a crowd around you.

The Bear Creek Outfitters Experience

Bear Creek Outfitters started guided Alaska excursions nearly three decades ago, long before fly-out fishing was popular here. Since then, we’ve stayed small on purpose, choosing quality over volume. Our trips focus on real experiences; no huge tour groups, no rushed schedules.

All trips start with door-to-door service in Juneau. After suiting up at the fly shop, guests take off from the water with Ward Air, flying over alpine lakes and forested valleys toward wild streams few people ever see.

Here’s what makes Bear Creek Outfitters different from the average operator:

Only small group sizes to keep the experience personal
Over 65 permitted remote streams to choose from each day
Decades of local guiding experience from seasoned professionals
All equipment provided, including premium rods, reels, and waders
Focus on conservation with catch-and-release fishing and barbless hooks

Fly Fishing in Remote Wilderness

The fly fishing season typically runs from late May through September, with different species showing up at different times.

For instance, Dolly Varden (a type of char) is available all season, but Pink Salmon tends to peak in July and August. Silver Salmon show up in late August and stick around into fall. That variety means every month offers a slightly different experience.

Bear Creek Outfitters offers several Juneau fishing trips, depending on your schedule and interests. These include:

Half-Day Fly-Out Trips: ~5.5 hours door-to-door, ideal for cruise ship visitors
Full-Day Fly-Out Trips: ~8.5 hours, more time to explore remote rivers
Private and Custom Trips: Meet your floatplane almost anywhere in the region

Our fly-out model lets us choose a stream based on current fishing conditions, weather, and species activity. You won’t be stuck going where everyone else is going that week.

More Than Just Fishing

If you’re coming to Alaska and don’t see a bear, you’re missing something. Bear Creek Outfitters has offered wildlife tours in Alaska longer than just about anyone in Juneau, and we don’t do bear viewing the way big-name operators do.

Instead of crowds and platforms, our bear excursions bring guests into quiet estuaries, creek mouths, and wild valleys; places where bears are naturally feeding, not being fed. These experiences take place in places like Pack Creek on Admiralty Island, a federally protected area known for its high concentration of brown bears.

Types of bear tours available include:

Pack Creek Bear Viewing: Located in the Stan Price Bear Preserve, available May-mid-September
Waterfall Creek Bear Viewing: Known for intimate bear fishing scenes, runs in late July-September
Private Bear Viewing: Customized based on travel needs, can include extra flightseeing time

Our guides on these trips are seasoned pros. Most have over a decade of experience watching the same families of bears come back year after year. They know how to read bear behavior, where to stand, and, importantly, when to move.

Guests often see more than bears, though. It’s common to spot:

Bald eagles perched in spruce trees or swooping over streams
Harbor seals near estuaries or inlets
Sitka black-tailed deer browsing at the edge of the forest
Otters playing along stream banks or tidal flats

Planning and Preparation Tips

Fishing or bear viewing in Southeast Alaska isn’t difficult, but you do need to be ready for conditions that are a little less predictable than a lodge-based trip. Weather can shift quickly, and your feet will probably get wet at some point, even with boots on.

Bear Creek Outfitters makes things easier by providing just about everything. Guests get fully equipped with rods, waders, raincoats, and more. Even lunch is covered on full-day trips. The only extra expense is the Alaska fishing license ($15), which you can buy online or on your phone the morning of your trip.

Some things you’ll want to bring include:

Warm, moisture-wicking base layers
Hat with a brim and sunglasses
Lightweight gloves for chilly mornings
Waterproof or water-resistant camera
Tipping money for your guide

Ready to Go Beyond the Ordinary?

With Bear Creek Outfitters, you get authentic, small-group adventures led by guides who have logged thousands of days in Southeast Alaska’s remote streams and bear country. Whether you’re here for floatplane-accessed Juneau fishing trips or up-close wildlife experiences, you’ll have exclusive access to spots other outfitters can’t offer. Our commitment to conservation, experienced guides, and true Alaskan hospitality make us Southeast Alaska’s original fly fishing and bear viewing outfitter.

Book now and make sure your Alaska trip is one worth telling stories about for years.