Location
West Cook Inlet, Alaska
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Fly-In Bear Viewing Along the West Cook Inlet Coast - Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Wildlife Watching
Fly-In Bear Viewing Along the West Cook Inlet Coast
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
1-14 Days
Summer
Pets: Yes
Fees: No
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Current Alerts
No active alerts
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Access Requirements
Unknown
View official access requirements
Weather forecast
26°F
-3°C
· Mostly Clear
More weather details
Best Time to Visit
Summer
Based on official activity seasons
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Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
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Current park status
No active alerts
Current park status
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About this activity
Learn where to go to see bears and become familiar with bear viewing best practices. Then watch the park's beautiful new 11 minute-long film, A Day on the Lake Clark National Park Coastline to get a feel for experience of being on the coast with bears.
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve offers world class bear viewing opportunities on the coast where brown bears congregate in high numbers to feed.
Activity details
Duration
1-14 Days
Age
Not available
All ages, but minors should be with an adult parent or guardian to ensure their safety around wildlife.
Season
Summer
Bears hibernate in winter! The season for bear viewing is generally mid-June to the beginning of September along much of the coast.
Time of day
Day, Dawn
Night-time bear viewing is not advised due to visibility concerns. If people travel to the same places in the same way day after day, year after year, our behavior becomes predictable to bears, and they are more likely to view us as an unobtrusive part of their environment.
Each encounter is a learning experience for both bears and people. Appropriate and consistent human responses to bears minimize the chances of dangerous surprise encounters and can provide safer and better bear viewing experiences.
In most cases it is best to stay in the open during the day where bears can see people and avoid them if they wish. Hiding from bears increases the likelihood that people will have a surprise encounter that could result in a dangerous situation for the bear and/or the person.
Each encounter is a learning experience for both bears and people. Appropriate and consistent human responses to bears minimize the chances of dangerous surprise encounters and can provide safer and better bear viewing experiences.
In most cases it is best to stay in the open during the day where bears can see people and avoid them if they wish. Hiding from bears increases the likelihood that people will have a surprise encounter that could result in a dangerous situation for the bear and/or the person.
Pets
Yes
Leashed pets are permitted in the park and preserve. However, we strongly encourage you to leave your pets at home, for your safety, their safety, and the health of the ecosystem. If your dog is already in Alaska with you, a quick Google search will give you a list of kennels that can board it for you during your trip to Lake Clark. Common park gateway communities with pet boarding facilities include Anchorage, Soldotna, Kenai, Kasilof, Homer, and Anchor Point.
Dogs running loose can bring enraged bears or moose back to their owners. They can also harass or kill local wildlife. While it's pretty obvious when a dog is chasing a moose or a squirrel, a loose dog can eat ground nesting bird eggs and chicks so quickly the owner never realizes it happened. They may also either contract a disease from wild canine populations, or introduce disease to fox, coyote, or wolf through their scat. Be aware that these wild canines are highly territorial, especially during summer denning season, and will kill loose dogs they encounter in their territory.
If you must bring your pet, remember that it must be leashed at ALL times, and that you must properly dispose of its scat by either burying it in a 6 inch cathole like you would your own waste, or by packing (flying) it out.
Fees
No
Accessibility
A fat tire wheelchair that works well on the beach is available from the ranger at Silver Salmon Creek or Chinitna Bay. It may be reserved in advance and delivered to your airplane or picked up at the ranger station. To reserve, call (907) 644-3626 or email us
Things To Buy
Recommended gear for Fly-In Bear Viewing Along the West Cook Inlet Coast
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$84.99
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$35.00
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$85.00
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Access requirement information
Not available
You do not need to pay entrance fees, make reservations, or obtain permits from the National Park Service for any recreational activities in the park including backpacking, camping, river running, and bear viewing. However, because most visitors have to travel to the park via aircraft or boat, you likely will have to make advance reservations with an air taxi or bear viewing guide if you're not from the local area. To learn more, visit the park's Directions page.
Official website
Official access information supplied by the provider for this activity. Requirements and availability may change, so always verify the latest details on the official website.
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Weather forecast
Check the weather forecast before planning this activity.
Overnight
26°F-3°C
Mostly Clear
E 5 mph8 km/h Rain: 4%
Thursday
39°F4°C
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain And Snow
E 10 mph16 km/h Rain: 27%
Thursday Night
33°F1°C
Rain And Snow
E 15 mph24 km/h Rain: 95%
Friday
38°F3°C
Rain And Snow
E 18 mph28 km/h Rain: 97%
Friday Night
34°F1°C
Rain
E 18 mph28 km/h Rain: 98%
Saturday
39°F4°C
Snow Showers
E 13 mph20 km/h Rain: 99%
Forecasts can change and local conditions may vary. Check official weather alerts and park guidance before your visit.
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