Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing Juneau

Recommended by 91% of travelers

Juneau, USA

7 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Enjoy a unique perspective on Alaskan nature on this day trip. Venture deep into the Alaskan wilderness to a protected wildlife site, which has the world's highest concentration of brown bears. This guided day trip to Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing Area includes a floatplane flight over Tongass National Forest and kayaking (available June 20 to July 20). The Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing Area issues a limited number of visitation permits, which need to be purchased separately from your tour operator.

Have a personalized experience on this small-group tour
See brown bears in their natural habitat at the Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing Area
Enjoy a wide range of activities, from kayaking to floatplane rides
Relax with hotel and cruise ship terminal transportation included

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

Access secluded bear viewing locations with limited permits via kayak and float plane rides.

What's Included

Certified guide
All necessary equipment
Round-trip transportation via van and floatplane
Rain gear, jackets and rubber boots provided - please advise supplier of sizing
Lunch, Hearty Snacks, and water
National Park fees

Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

The “C” Sign, located near the cruise ship docks directly between Mt. Roberts Tramway and the green Taku Smokeries building, is our centralized downtown meeting location for all clients in the downtown area, including the majority of cruise ship passengers. Clients staying at major hotels in the Mendenhall Valley may be picked up directly from their hotel. Clients with their own transportation need to contact our office to arrange a meeting location.

Meeting point

490 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801, USA
The “C” Sign, located near the cruise ship docks directly between Mt. Roberts Tramway and the green Taku Smokeries building, is our centralized downtown meeting location for all clients in the downtown area, including the majority of cruise ship passengers.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Embark on an Alaskan wilderness adventure on this small-group day trip to the Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing Area, a protected wildlife site located on Admiralty Island. Also known as the ‘Fortress of the Bears’ by the indigenous Tlingit people, Pack Creek boasts the highest concentration of brown bears in the world. Enjoy personalized attention on this small-group tour, with one guide for every five people.

After morning pickup by van from your Juneau hotel or the port, kick off your tour with a floatplane flight over Tongass National Forest and the Inside Passage. Land on Windfall Island, where you’ll receive a safety briefing for your kayaking journey through Windfall Harbor. Paddle your way to the mouth of Pack Creek on Admiralty Island.

Secure your kayak and follow your guide’s lead to prime viewing locations to observe grizzly and brown bears in their natural habitat. Scamper up lookout towers to see bears playing in meadows, and head over to creeks and streams to see them swimming or catching salmon.

Enjoy plenty of time watching bears before you return by kayak back to the floatplane. Your tour ends with van transport back to the original departure point.

Please note: Visitors to the Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing Area must have a permit, which is limited in number and provided to tour operators only. As permits sell out quickly, make sure to book this tour well in advance.

Above & Beyond Alaska

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Pack Creek

6 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Due to aircraft restrictions, there is a 250lbs per person weight limit on this tour. All passenger weights need to be provided at time of booking.
Please note, this tour requires a minimum of 4 to operate. If minimum requirement is not met, reservation is subject to change or cancellation.
Minimum age is 12 years

Bear Sightings are not guaranteed. This is wild Alaska!
Participants must be fit enough to hike 1-2 miles through the wilderness.
The Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area is a wilderness area with no facilities, restrooms, or shelter on site. All garbage and waste must be packed out.
All participants must agree to follow all guide and ranger direction, always stay with the group, store all food items in designated bear proof lockers, and keep all personal belongings on their person.
Due to the inherent risks involved in this type of tour, pregnant guests are not permitted to participate.
This trip operates in all weather conditions (barring unsafe conditions, to be determined by ABAK) – We can’t stress enough how important it is to dress appropriately.
RELEASE OF LIABILITY/ASSUMPTION OF RISK FORM: Every participant on the trip must sign a Release of Liability/Assumption of Risk form at the start of the trip. Alterations and/or deletions to the waiver are not permitted.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 5 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.8

based on 23 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Spectacular day we saw a mama and two cubs 😍

Amanda_A, May 2025

We had an amazing time! The float plane ride was amazing and the bears were out and about. Lunch was fantastic and our guide Kelsey made our trip better than expected! She was just awesome. Truly. Her experience and friendly, warm demeanor was just what we needed as friendly Texans!

Response from Host, May 2025

Hi there! Wow, what a kind review! We are so glad to hear that you thoroughly enjoyed your experience seeing the bears and your time with Kelsey. We will pass along the positive feedback. Thanks for making us part of your Alaskan vacation!

This experience was the most...

Brian S, Aug 2017

This experience was the most memorable of anything I have done. Stacy made this trip safe and enjoyable for my wife and myself.

Only one word: AMAZING! This was a...

Take me away, Sep 2012

Only one word: AMAZING! This was a great company to deal with. Corey was a fantastic guide and pretty good photographer! Would highly recommend this tour. Not only did we see bears, but we had a float plane trip and kayak included. Magical day.

This was an amazing day tour, the...

TravelTammy, Jul 2012

This was an amazing day tour, the kayaking was fun, and getting to see the grizzlies was great. We were also lucky to get to see another 12+ grizzlies as we were flying back at the end of the night including babies. We had two fun and informational tour guides. This is a tour that I would highly recommend to others.