Bear Viewing

There is no single "best" time to visit Katmai, as each part of the season offers a different wildlife experience. Early summer brings active bear mating behavior, along with sightings of moose and occasional wolves. By mid to late June, weather conditions are often excellent and bear cubs begin appearing with their mothers.

As summer continues, the landscape becomes lush with wildflowers and increased coastal brown bear activity along the coast. Late July through early September marks the salmon run, when coastal brown bears gather along rivers to feed and prepare for winter. Wildlife viewing remains exceptional during this time, though guests should expect occasional weather-related floatplane delays as the season comes to a close. No matter when you visit, each week at Katmai offers something truly special.

While coastal brown bears take center stage at Katmai Wilderness Lodge, our area is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking wildlife. Here at Katmai, we frequently encounter sea otters and seals, and on special occasions, you may see whales, wolves, foxes, and moose. Because Katmai is on the ocean, you’ll have the rare opportunity to see both marine bird life and the majestic Bald Eagle.

While coastal brown bears are often seen right in the lodge area, most of your bear viewing takes place a short boat ride from the lodge in the surrounding bay.

We keep our tours easy and enjoyable, but you should be able to walk at least two miles on uneven, wet, and loose ground. Most outings involve a short hike on natural terrain, like grass or beach areas. Our guides are trained to support all fitness levels, and we move at a safe and steady pace. If you have concerns, let us know in advance so that we can ensure the best trip possible. Read our Disclaimers for more information.

Yes, but hiking is limited primarily to beach areas during low tide. Because of abundant wild plant life, the area’s vegetation is very thick, and most of the trails are bear trails – used by bears themselves.

Your safety is our top priority. Our expert guides are specially trained in coastal brown bear behavior and wilderness safety. We always view coastal brown bears from a safe distance and always maintain a respectful distance, minimizing any unnecessary disturbance. We travel in small groups so we can stay quiet, respectful, and alert. Our guides carry bear safety gear and constantly watch the coastal brown bears' body language.

Yes! We welcome adventurous families and older guests. However, we recommend the tours for kids 12 and up, since we need everyone to be able to stay quiet, listen to instructions, and walk safely in the wild. Seniors who fit our physical requirements and base activity levels should do great.

In addition, seniors and children have the option to join the trip and remain at the lodge during daytime activities under approved supervision. This arrangement must be discussed in advance and approved by lodge staff to ensure safety and proper care. If you’re not sure, contact us. We’re happy to talk about your needs and see if our tours are the right fit.

You don’t need fancy gear to take great photos here; a phone with good zoom will work well. If you want close-up shots, a lens that zooms at least 200–400mm is ideal. Alaskan coastal brown bears are often active from a distance, especially on the shoreline or in the water. We also suggest bringing extra batteries, memory cards, and a waterproof bag. There are charging stations at the lodge, and our guides can give tips on getting the best shots based on light and angles.

On occasion, we have had guests bring 800mm lenses or larger, but we have found that due to equipment size/weight and our dynamic field outings, stabilization can become a challenge. We find that more photos are missed than captured when dealing with such large equipment, especially from the boats. If you have any specific questions about what gear to pack, our guides are more than happy to discuss what works best for our environment and trip parameters. Contact us for more information.