Where can we spend night for bear viewing?

[TeeBuccs]

Looking for suggestions for a good overnight location for bear viewing the first week or two of June. Originally looked into Brooks Lodge but seems awfully expensive for limited amount of bears. Are there any other off the beaten path type places that might be better for us? I am arranging some independent activities so trying to determine the right places.

 

Thanks!

[CanCanCase]

Early June is too early for reliable bear viewing in SouthEast, otherwise I'd suggest one of the bear viewing sites near Wrangell or Juneau. Late July and August, you can stay at a lighthouse or lodge and take a boat to the bear viewing areas when you're bored watching whales...

 

-Case

[wolfie11]

You can stay in Homer and charter a flight to Hallo Bay or another bear-viewing spot where you can see bears that early in the season.

[TeeBuccs]

So flight seeing into an area for a few hours is the only real bet? I was hoping to able to stay for a bit and not have the pressure of "rush, rush" in and out with bear viewing. However, if this is the best alternative in mid-June I suppose that is what we will have to do.

 

I would love to go in July when the salmon are spawning and do these others sites but I fear the crowds would just be too much of a turn off for me. I was there last year in early June and really loved the fact that there wasn't a sardine type feeling on board or in the ports.

 

Thanks again to all for their advice.

[greatam]

Are you asking if there is a place you can stay to see bears (where they may congregate) and NOT someplace where you fly into?

 

That would just be a chance sighting. Prudhoe Bay has resident grizzlies that wander around, right outside the motel there. There are quite a few bears East of the Ninilchik turn out/rest area, but there again, it would be a chance sighting (and could be dangerous-DH fishes there frequently and carries a large pistol). There are bears in Denali and you could spend a night at Skyline Lodge and possibly see bear.

 

You are correct that Brooks can be VERY crowded and feel almost like an amusement park in July. But a fly in bear trip to Hallo Bay is very uncrowded any time. The owners limit the amount of people to no more than 12 overnighters and 15 day trippers with 3 guides. Certainly not crowded but not cheap either. If you want to see bear up close and personal, Hallo Bay is your best bet, IMHO.