Bears of the Katmai Coast

Bears of the Katmai Coast

Reservation request

DATES

July 09, 2026 - July 14, 2026

REGION

Katmai National Park

TRIP COST

$6,900

DATES

July 09, 2026 - July 14, 2026

REGION

Katmai National Park

TRIP COST

$6,900

The best way to watch bears is to immerse yourself in the wilderness. There is no better place to do that than on the coast of Katmai National Park, where bears crowd into salmon streams and laze in the lush flowery meadows.

Spend your days amongst the bears, who could care less that you are there, and get to know the habits of individual bears as they fish, rest and graze along the Pacific Coast. Our favorite area for watching bears is a two hour plane ride from any road, viewing platform or lodge. Being the only people for miles in any direction has its benefits. From our cozy and weather ready camp we are free to explore as much as we’d like.

TRIP DETAILS

The Katmai Coast is like no other place on earth. Katmai National Park boasts some of the highest densities of brown bears, and the largest brown bears in the world. But bear viewing is just the tip of the iceberg for this week-long adventure on the rugged coast of Katmai National Park. The rich waters of the North Pacific have carved long sandy beaches on this volcanic coast. Glacier encrusted peaks loom above rich grassy meadows, active volcanoes smoke in the distance, basalt cliffs shelter rocky harbors, and wildlife is everywhere. From our camp in the flower-filled dunes, we can watch sea birds fish, observe bears feeding in the tide, hear glaciers cracking on the peaks to the north, and watch the dramatic weather move over this wild landscape.

Our days will be filled with exploration. Tundra hiking is excellent on the headlands to the east of camp. Beachcombing and tide pooling offer twice daily forays among the clams, chitons, anemones, and glass fishing floats. Several archeological sites are within a day’s walk from camp. A longer hike towards the active volcanoes leads to the base of a glacier. All this in addition to the stunningly powerful and majestic Katmai bears, which can generally be found either on the beach or in the lush meadows near camp.

Like all our base camp trips, there is as much or as little exertion and adventure as you choose. Your guide will be happy to lead hikes beyond the horizon, accompany you to watch and interpret bear behavior in the sedge meadows, or just provide nourishment and insight while you find your own enjoyment on the beach or in the mountains.

Camping on the Katmai Coast among the numerous bears and formidable weather may seem a little intimidating to some. But, we have found an ideal location and method for enjoying this beautiful and rich coast. We will set up a sturdy and comfortable base camp including a big “cook tent” in the vegetated dunes near the beach. Our camp will provides adequate shelter no matter what the weather throws at us. By surrounding our camp with a portable electric fence, we take some of the worry out of having an inquisitive bear investigating our gear. With our qualified guides to teach you bear etiquette and our high quality equipment, you will be able to relax and enjoy the weather and wildlife in this stunning national park.

Last updated: March 6, 2025

Itinerary

What follows is a general flow of events. Expect the unexpected and prepare to be flexible.

July 8

Meet your guide(s) in Anchorage, Alaska for a pre-trip meeting. Location TBD.

July 9

Depart Anchorage in a small “bush plane” . After a stop mid-way to switch to a smaller aircraft we arrive on the beach around low tide. Set up camp and walk down the beach in search of bears.

July 10 - 13

Explore and enjoy from our basecamp. Beach walks, hikes up to the glacier, searching for Alutiiq house pits, beach combing for glass fishing floats, watching bears grazing on the sedge meadows, watching bears fishing, watching bears napping, watching bears negotiate for the best fishing spots, watching bears scour the beach at low tide, watching bears being bears, walking the sea cliffs out by the cape, enjoying the solitude of wild Alaska and the company of bears. Did we mention the bears?

July 14

Weather permitting, our pilot arrives at low tide for the flight back to Anchorage.

Stellar guides!

They went above and beyond the typical guide responsibilities and there was never a demarcation between guide and client–we were one pack of unruly rabble-rousers, loving every breathtaking minute on that wild river. One of the best trips of my life.
Thank you!

- Nancy, Indiana, USA

DETAILS

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Transportation beyond Anchorage

Food while in the wilderness

Stoves, cooking & eating utensils, water filter, base camp tent

Safety & repair gear

Professional guide service

Select camping equipment is available through Arctic Wild

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Lodging

Non-camp meals

Personal clothing and gear per our Equipment List

Photographic equipment

Gratuity for guide(s)

WEATHER & BUGS

Weather on the Katmai Coast can be blissful, sunny and warm. But it can blow and rain and storm for days too. Temperatures are mild, averaging in the 50’s but ranging from low 40’s to high 70’s. Quality raingear is a must. Bugs usually aren’t an issue on the coast but occasional biting flies warrant a small bottle of DEET, just in case. Aviation delays due to weather are fairly common.

RECOMMENDED READING

Grizzly Maze by Nick Jans

The Bears of Katmai by Matthais Breiter

More Alaska reading is available from our Bookstore

"The wilderness was spectacular, the leadership perfect."

"I am just finishing my tenth trip with you guys. As always, the trip was more than I expected and I had a great time. See you next year!"

"Of all outfitters with whom we have worked (and that is quite a number), you were by far the most organized and responsive."

"That feeling of wide open wonder, the possibilities for nearly limitless wandering, and the image of those proud caribou...that will stay with me a long time"

"Our guide was an encyclopedia on legs. He was always willing and ready to teach, to talk, to listen, to do another hike, or to lie low in camp if we were beat. He truly gave us the trip we wanted!"

Eileen - Canning River

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