top of page
IMG_2036.jpeg

Bear Viewing in Katmai

Experience a Guided Bear Viewing Adventure with Curious Nature.

We offer day excursions and immersive backcountry camping trips into the Katmai wilderness, each providing a unique bear viewing experience as brown bears transition through the summer. If you have flexible travel plans, consider which month best suits your interests, as each summer month offers something distinct and inspiring.

  • June: Witness bears gathering to feed on sedge grasses in the meadows and clams from the tidal flats. Mid to late June often brings the sight of spring cubs, cautiously guided by their mothers, into the open for the first time. Mothers with older cubs are also frequently seen in the meadows. This time coincides with the height of the mating season.

  • July: As the intensity of mating season subsides, bears shift their focus to bulking up for winter. Mothers with cubs tend to relax as dominant males turn their attention from mating to feeding. Recently emancipated from their mothers, young subadults test each other and attempt to assert themselves in the meadow hierarchy.

  • Late July and August: This period is particularly active as various salmon species begin their run from the ocean to their river spawning grounds. Many bears leave the coastal meadows for inland rivers and creeks to feast on the salmon.

  • Late August and September: As the bears become more satiated from the abundant salmon, they grow more selective in what they eat and often engage in much more playful behavior. This is a beautiful time to view and photograph a more relaxed bear population enjoying late summer and fall spoils.

No matter when you visit Katmai, the experience is sure to inspire. Any time spent among the brown bears of the Alaska Peninsula is a rare privilege and offers a unique opportunity to observe them on their terms. 

Do you wish to discuss which experience or time of the season is best for you? Please contact us directly, and we will be happy to discuss the options with you to find the best-fit adventure! 

bottom of page