Juneau Bear Viewing — Pack Creek & Admiralty Island

What to Expect

A trip to the Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area on Admiralty Island is arguably the most authentic, exclusive, and breathtaking wildlife experience accessible from Juneau. Known by the indigenous Tlingit people as Kootznoowoo, or “Fortress of the Bears,” Admiralty Island boasts the highest density of brown bears in North America—an estimated 1,500+ bears, which is roughly one bear per square mile.

Your adventure begins at the Juneau waterfront or airport, where you will board a floatplane for a spectacular 25- to 30-minute flight over the Inside Passage and the Tongass National Forest. Floatplanes cannot dock at a pier at Pack Creek; instead, your pilot will execute a water landing in the bay. You will step out onto the plane’s floats and wade ashore through shallow water wearing provided rubber boots.

Once on land, you are officially in bear country. You will be greeted by U.S. Forest Service or Alaska Department of Fish and Game rangers who live on-site during the summer. Following a strict safety orientation, your guide will lead you to one of two primary viewing locations. The first is the Viewing Spit, a coastal estuary where bears graze on sedge grass in the early summer and fish for pink and chum salmon when the rivers fill in late July and August. The second location is an observation tower accessed via a 1-mile hike through dense, old-growth rainforest.

You will spend 3 to 5 hours quietly observing, photographing, and marveling at the bears in their completely natural, wild habitat before making the return flight to Juneau.

Who This Is For

This excursion is designed for passionate wildlife enthusiasts, avid photographers, and travelers who want to escape the crowded cruise port for an untouched wilderness experience.

You must be in reasonably good physical condition. The hike to the observation tower requires walking up to 2 miles round-trip over uneven terrain, slippery roots, mud, and beach rocks. There are no paved paths, no shelters to hide from the rain, no cell service, and no restrooms at Pack Creek (visitors use a simple wilderness latrine system).

Because visitors must follow strict ranger instructions and remain completely quiet while observing the bears, this tour is not suitable for young children. Most operators have a strict minimum age limit of 8 to 10 years old.

If you have mobility limitations, are traveling with toddlers, or are on a strict budget, this tour is not for you. Instead, look into the Fortress of the Bear in Sitka—an excellent, highly accessible, and inexpensive rescue facility that guarantees bear sightings without the rigorous wilderness trek.

Ship vs. Independent Booking

When it comes to Pack Creek bear viewing, you have no choice: you must book independently.

Cruise lines do not sell excursions to Pack Creek. The U.S. Forest Service strictly caps access to the viewing area at 24 visitors per day to protect the bears and their habitat. Because permits are so incredibly scarce, local independent operators hold the few commercial permits available, making it impossible for a mega-ship to offer this as a mass-market tour.

If your heart is set on this experience, you must contact an outfitter directly. Prices generally run between $950 and $1,050 per person, which covers the expensive floatplane charter, guide fees, and federal permits.

Note: The prime time for viewing bears at Pack Creek is during the salmon run from late July through August. If you are cruising in May or early June, you will see bears eating grass on the shore, but you will not see the iconic “fishing in the river” behavior.

What to Bring

Pack Creek is a remote, exposed wilderness area where coastal weather changes rapidly. Being properly geared up is the difference between an incredible day and a miserable one.

• Rain Gear: Bring a high-quality, waterproof rain jacket and rain pants. Some operators provide these, but having your own ensures a proper fit.
• Layers: Wear moisture-wicking base layers and a warm fleece mid-layer. Avoid cotton, including jeans, which stay wet and cold if it rains.
• Camera Gear: A camera with a 200mm to 400mm zoom lens is ideal for wildlife photography. Bring a good pair of binoculars.
• Socks: Wear thick wool socks to wear inside the rubber wading boots your operator will provide.
• No Food or Scents: Do not bring scented lotions, perfumes, or your own snacks. Bears have an incredible sense of smell. Any food provided by the operator will be stored in heavy-duty bear-proof lockers upon arrival.

How to Book

Because there are only 24 permits available per day, you need to book this excursion 6 to 9 months in advance. For a mid-summer cruise, aim to secure your spot by November or December of the prior year.

The easiest way to visit is by booking an all-inclusive day trip with one of Juneau’s elite, permitted guiding companies. They handle the floatplane charters, secure the permits, and provide the specialized guides. The top active operators for 2025/2026 include:

• Wild Coast Excursions: Regarded as Juneau’s bear-viewing specialists, they focus heavily on small-group and private guided tours to Pack Creek and nearby Waterfall Creek.
• Above & Beyond Alaska (ABAK): A highly reputable, employee-owned outfitter in Juneau that offers excellent guided packages to Pack Creek, complete with gear and flight logistics.
• Bear Creek Outfitters: Veterans of the Juneau area, offering deep-wilderness fly-out bear viewing and fly-fishing combo trips.

Flights are generally contracted through reputable local floatplane companies like Ward Air or Alaska Seaplanes, but by booking directly through a guiding company, your transportation and permits are completely taken care of in one package.