Alaska’s untamed wilderness offers some of the most spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities in the world. From massive brown bears fishing for salmon to majestic bald eagles soaring overhead, the Last Frontier is a paradise for animal lovers. I’ve explored this wild state from top to bottom, and I’m excited to share my favorite spots where you can safely observe Alaska’s incredible creatures in their natural habitats.
1. Katmai National Park’s Brooks Falls
Nothing compares to watching massive brown bears snatch leaping salmon from the rushing waters at Brooks Falls. My first visit left me speechless as I counted 17 bears fishing at once from the viewing platform!
July and September offer the best bear-watching opportunities when these magnificent creatures gather to fatten up for winter. The park’s rangers do an amazing job keeping visitors safe while allowing surprisingly close observation of these powerful animals.
Though getting here requires a floatplane ride from King Salmon or Homer, the experience is worth every penny. Remember to book your permits well in advance – this bucket-list wildlife spot fills up faster than those bears can catch salmon!
2. Denali National Park’s Savage River
If spotting North America’s most iconic land mammals is on your wish list, hop aboard one of Denali’s green shuttle buses. My heart nearly stopped when we rounded a bend to find a massive bull moose just 30 feet from the road!
Savage River marks the point where private vehicles must turn around, making the wildlife viewing beyond this point even more spectacular. Caribou often graze on distant hillsides, their antlers visible through binoculars, while grizzlies dig for ground squirrels on alpine slopes.
The patient observer might glimpse elusive wolves or even wolverines. Park rangers recommend scanning slopes during early morning or evening hours when animals are most active. Bring good binoculars – some of the best sightings happen at a distance!
3. Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area
Hidden away on Admiralty Island near Juneau lies a bear watcher’s paradise nicknamed “Fortress of the Bears.” My guide whispered that the island hosts the highest concentration of brown bears in North America – about one per square mile!
At Pack Creek, a raised observation platform provides safe viewing of bears digging for clams on tidal flats or fishing in the stream. Unlike some viewing areas, Pack Creek limits daily visitors, creating an intimate experience where you might spend hours watching a mother bear teaching her cubs fishing techniques.
Access requires either a floatplane trip or a kayak journey plus hiking. The permit system opens in January for the summer viewing season, and competition is fierce for these coveted spots. Trust me – securing a permit feels like winning the wildlife lottery!
4. Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve
How about witnessing the largest gathering of bald eagles on the planet? Between October and February, thousands of these majestic birds congregate along the Chilkat River near Haines. My November visit coincided with the late salmon run, and I counted over 150 eagles in one short stretch of river!
The preserve’s unique geography creates an unusual phenomenon – portions of the river remain ice-free due to upwelling groundwater, allowing eagles to feast on salmon when other food sources are frozen. Local guides offer photography tours that position you perfectly for close-up shots of these impressive birds.
Though winter visits mean bundling up against the cold, the sight of dozens of eagles perched in a single cottonwood tree makes any shivers worthwhile. The nearby Alaska Bald Eagle Festival in November offers additional educational opportunities and guided viewings.
5. McNeil River State Game Sanctuary
Hardcore wildlife enthusiasts, listen up! McNeil River offers what might be the most extraordinary bear viewing experience on Earth. My guide explained that during peak salmon runs, up to 70 brown bears gather at the falls – the highest concentration anywhere.
Unlike other viewing areas, permits here are strictly limited and distributed by lottery. Lucky winners get guided access to viewing pads where bears often pass within yards of observers. The bears’ complete indifference to human presence creates surreal opportunities to witness natural behaviors – from dramatic fishing techniques to complex social interactions.
Applications for the lottery must be submitted by March 1st each year. Though chances of winning are slim (about 1 in 10), the experience is unparalleled for those fortunate enough to secure a spot. I applied for seven years before finally getting my permit – and it was worth every year of waiting!
6. Kenai Fjords National Park
While cruising through the glacier-carved fjords near Seward, I spotted so many marine creatures that my camera memory card filled up before lunchtime! Humpback whales breached beside our boat, sending spray that practically showered us.
Orcas sliced through the water in hunting pods, while adorable sea otters floated on their backs, using their tummies as dinner tables. The bird rookeries along the rocky cliffs house thousands of puffins, kittiwakes, and other seabirds that create a cacophony of calls.
Half-day or full-day boat tours operate from May through September, with wildlife sightings virtually guaranteed. For those prone to seasickness, take medication beforehand – the waters can get choppy, but the wildlife encounters make any queasiness worthwhile!
7. Potter Marsh Wildlife Viewing Boardwalk
Just minutes from downtown Anchorage lies a wetland wonderland that proves you don’t need to venture into remote wilderness for amazing wildlife encounters. The elevated wooden boardwalk at Potter Marsh has become my go-to spot whenever friends visit Alaska’s largest city.
Throughout summer, the marsh buzzes with activity – from nesting trumpeter swans and arctic terns to moose munching on willows. Beavers slap their tails on the water surface while muskrats scurry through cattails. The interpretive signs help identify the numerous bird species that use this critical habitat.
Since it’s wheelchair accessible and requires no hiking, Potter Marsh works perfectly for all ages and abilities. Spring migration (April-May) brings the greatest bird diversity, while autumn offers better moose sightings. Bring mosquito repellent in summer – the bugs love this wetland as much as the wildlife does!
8. Round Island Walrus Sanctuary
Though reaching this remote gem requires serious commitment, witnessing hundreds of massive walruses hauled out on rocky beaches makes the journey unforgettable. My floatplane banking over Round Island revealed a coastline literally carpeted with these blubbery behemoths!
Located in Bristol Bay, this sanctuary protects one of the largest walrus haul-outs in the world. From observation points above the beaches, you can watch these tusked mammals interact, battle for dominance, or simply lounge in massive piles. The island also hosts incredible seabird colonies and sea lions.
Visitation requires permits and is limited to summer months. Accommodations consist solely of primitive camping, and visitors must bring all supplies. Weather often delays transportation, so flexibility is essential. For wildlife photographers seeking truly unique opportunities, few Alaskan destinations can match Round Island’s otherworldly scenes.
9. Exit Glacier Wildlife Corridor
Where else can you potentially see bears, moose, and mountain goats while also witnessing a massive glacier? The trails around Exit Glacier near Seward offer some of Alaska’s most accessible wildlife viewing combined with spectacular scenery.
Mountain goats often appear as white dots on seemingly impossible cliff faces above the glacier. Black bears frequent the alder thickets during berry season, while moose commonly browse near the visitor center parking lot. My early morning hike revealed fresh wolf tracks in the mud – evidence of the rich diversity this ecosystem supports.
Unlike remote viewing locations, Exit Glacier’s well-maintained trails and ranger programs make wildlife education accessible for families. The gradual recession of the glacier has created a living laboratory of ecological succession where different animal species thrive as vegetation changes. Visit in late August when berries attract bears but summer crowds have thinned.
10. Anan Wildlife Observatory
Few places on Earth allow you to observe both black and brown bears fishing together in the same stream. At Anan Creek near Wrangell, I watched in amazement as these normally territorial species seemed to establish a temporary truce during the salmon runs.
The Forest Service maintains a covered observation deck overlooking the falls where bears snatch fish from July through August. A half-mile trail leads to the viewing area, occasionally requiring visitors to wait while bears use the same path! Unlike some viewing sites, photography here doesn’t require massive telephoto lenses – the bears often fish within 20 feet of the platform.
Permits are required and limited to 60 visitors daily. The site is accessible by boat or floatplane from Wrangell, with several tour operators offering day trips. Beyond bears, bald eagles swoop down to steal fish scraps, creating a multi-species feeding frenzy that keeps your camera clicking constantly.
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