Where is Waterfall Creek located for bear viewing?

Waterfall Creek is located within the wild island ecosystem of Southeast Alaska's "ABC Islands", accessible only by boat or floatplane. It lies in the Tongass National Forest on Chichagof Island home to one of the highest brown bear densities on Earth.

Why is Waterfall Creek one of the best bear viewing locations near Juneau?

Waterfall Creek provides consistent bear activity thanks to its salmon-rich stream and remote rainforest setting. Limited access and low visitor pressure create excellent opportunities to see brown bears feeding, traveling, and interacting in their natural habitat. This is a wilderness area free from the clearcut logging that has effected so much of Southeast Alaska's bear habitat.

Can the public visit Waterfall Creek without a guide?

While technically possible, the remote setting and logistics make it unlikely that visitors to Alaska would find their way to Waterfall Creek unguided. Furthermore, because of the small viewing space and high number of brown bears, visiting without an expert guide is strongly not recommended. Commercial guides like Wild Coast Excursions need a specific permit to offer trips to Waterfall Creek.

How long is the Waterfall Creek bear viewing trip from Juneau?

Our Waterfall Creek bear viewing tour typically lasts 5.5–6.5 hours round-trip, including minimal time in town, two scenic wilderness flights by floatplane, and 3-3.5 hours time spent observing bears at the creek.

When is the best time to see bears at Waterfall Creek?

Wild Coast Excursions only visits Waterfall Creek during the peak bear viewing season, which coincides with the return of spawning salmon. Peak season is from late July to mid September.

How close will we get to the bears at Waterfall Creek?

From the main viewing area, we can see up and down the creek about 100 yards each. All viewing activity takes place within this distance. While we are on site, it is normal for bears to move around our group in the creek or on our beach. Sharing the beach with the bears can bring them as close as 20 feet. Wild Coast Excursions makes every effort to never displace bears or alter their behavior. We visit the viewing area at tides that leave the most room for bears to navigate around our groups without forcing them into unsafe distances or displacing them.

Does Wild Coast Excursions offer private or custom Waterfall Creek bear viewing tours?

Yes. We specialize in intimate, small-group and private bear viewing tours tailored for families, photographers, and guests seeking exclusive wilderness access.

Does Wild Coast Excursions provide bear viewing experiences for superyacht guests?

Yes. We work directly with yacht owners, captains, and expedition planners to provide private bear viewing trips, tender support, and wilderness guiding for luxury and expedition-style voyages.

What should I bring on a Waterfall Creek bear viewing tour?

Wear warm layered clothing and waterproof outerwear. Bring a camera, a small bag, and water bottle. We provide expert guides, rubber rain gear, rubber boots, waterproof backpacks, a catered lunch, binoculars, a spotting scope, all permits, and all transportation.

Waterfall Creek Bear Viewing – A Complete Guide for 2026

Juneau Bear Viewing • Waterfall Creek • Chichagof Island Wilderness • Private & Custom Bear Tours

Written by Wild Coast Excursions’ Alaskan Bear Viewing Guides

Waterfall Creek is one of Southeast Alaska’s premier brown-bear viewing destinations (as recently highlighted in Outside Magazine), a secluded, salmon-rich wilderness on Chichagof Island where coastal brown bears gather in late summer to feed beneath a dramatic waterfall.

This guide gives you everything you need to plan a Waterfall Creek bear viewing tour from Juneau, including the best time to visit, what to expect, what to bring, and how to arrange a group or private bear viewing trip.

Peak Season: July 20 – September 10
Location: Chichagof Island (ABC Islands), Tongass National Forest
Access: Floatplane from Juneau
Style: Remote, wild, uncrowded, photograph-ready bear habitat

A successful catch! Up-close bear viewing at Waterfall Creek on Chichagof Island.
Photo by Wild Coast Excursions’ guest photographer John Hyde

Why Waterfall Creek Is Special

Waterfall Creek offers a rare combination of:

Brown bears fishing at close distance
A dramatic waterfall and active salmon stream setting
Fly-in wilderness solitude, no viewing platforms here!
Intimate groups with experienced local guides
True Tongass National Forest backcountry, not a tourist overlook

This short film shows what bear viewing at Waterfall Creek looks like during peak season.

Best Time to Visit Waterfall Creek

July 20 – September 10 is prime time, when the salmon run draws bears to the falls.

Month	Bear Activity	Notes
Late July	Increasing activity	Great mix of weather + bear action
August	Peak sightings	Lots of feeding behavior & interactions
Early September	Still strong	Great photography + an important time for the bears

Outside these dates, bear activity varies — email us for custom-date options.

Trip Overview

Logistics

Meeting points, downtown Juneau, airport hotels, or at the airport. Custom for private trips.
Floatplane departure: Juneau airport floatplane pond
Scenic 25-minute flight over island wilderness
3–4 hours on-site wildlife viewing
5.5–6.5 hours total trip time
Rain gear, boots, binoculars, lunch, and more provided

📎 Add optional glacier flightseeing or extended time in the field on private trips.

Terrain & Amenities

Rustic wilderness, no facilities — real Alaska
Trails, shoreline, and streamside observation
Moderate hiking on uneven terrain
Suitable for photographers, wildlife lovers & adventurous travelers

At waterfall Creek, we share the beach with these beautiful and powerful animals. Photo by a Wild Coast Excursions guest Larry Kepko

What Wildlife to Expect

Primary focus: Coastal brown bears feeding on salmon

Additional sightings may include:

Bald eagles, herons, ravens, gulls and kingfishers
Leaping salmon
Seals in the river mouth
Mink and martens
Marine life en route (occasional whales from above)

Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but peak season likelihood is very high.

Waterfall Creek vs. Pack Creek

A coastal brown bear catches a salmon at the Waterfall Creek bear viewing area. On a bear viewing tour from Juneau with Wild Coast Excursions. — A classic scene at Waterfall Creek! A brown bear chases a fish less than 50 yards from Wild Coast Excursions’ bear viewing guests.

Pack Creek Bear Viewing in Juneau, Alaska with Wild Coast Excursions. Photo by Nathan Kelley — A classic scene at Pack Creek! Bear viewing in the sedge meadows from May to September. Photo by guide Nathan Kelley

Experience	Waterfall Creek	Pack Creek
Season	Late July – Early Sept	May-June, Late July – Sept
Setting	Waterfall & rapids	Tidal flats + meadows
Access	Floatplane only	Boat or plane
Atmosphere	Remote, uncrowded	Classic bear site, limited permits
Best for	Peak salmon action + photography	Wilderness & wildlife enthusiasts

Interested in Pack Creek? Read our complete guide to Pack Creek here!

Tip: Many travelers choose Waterfall Creek in August and Pack Creek in May/early June. Or join us in August and September for a day at each!

Waterfall Creek – Private & Luxury Options

We specialize in exclusive custom wildlife trips, including:

Private bear-viewing
Photography-focused expeditions
Superyacht guest experiences & aviation support
VIP concierge logistics
Multi-day wilderness journeys

If you are traveling by yacht, expedition vessel, or private aircraft, contact us for custom planning.

We handle aircraft, guides, permits & logistics.

Wild Coast Excursions owner and guide Peter Nave speaks with his guests on a Private Waterfall Creek Bear Viewing tour.

Waterfall Creek – What to Bring

Clothing

Warm layers (fleece/wool/puffy)
Waterproof jacket & pants
Warm hat & gloves

(Boots & rain gear are provided.)

Gear

DSLR / mirrorless camera + zoom lens (200-600mm ideal)
Extra batteries + memory cards
Reusable water bottle & small day pack

(Waterproof backpacks, binoculars, and spotting scope are provided.)

Physical Requirements

Comfortable walking on uneven ground (1/2 mile)
Comfortable being outdoors in a true wilderness for multiple hours

Just a few feet from the plane and we have our first sighting of the day! Waterfall Creek, Chichagof Island

Responsible Wildlife Viewing

We follow strict wildlife-ethics and safety protocols:

Quiet, respectful observation
No food in our bear view areas
Guide-led positioning & viewing etiquette
Leave-no-trace backcountry practices
Carbon-negative operations

Your adventure directly contributes to wilderness stewardship.

Wild Coast Excursions’ expert guides have unparalleled experience in SE Alaska’s bear country. Our guides are leaders in responsible wilderness travel!

Why Choose Wild Coast Excursions for Waterfall Creek?

Locally owned, guided by Alaskans who know the region intimately. Owner and lead guide Peter Nave has had a family cabin a few miles from Waterfall Creek since 1979, we are literally in the backyard!
Carbon-negative tours, meaning your adventure gives back to the environment and supports Alaska’s wilderness.
Small-group and private options: whether you’re a family, a couple, or a yacht based group, you’ll get a tailored experience.
Ideal equipment, fully guided and catered, all logistics handled, you just show up ready to experience bears in the wild.
Clear communication from start to finish. We are here to be your hosts in Alaska and make your trip once-in-a-lifetime!

Booking Your Waterfall Creek Tour

Pricing:

From $999 per person
Variable by:

Private vs group trip
Add-on flightseeing options
Custom / yacht logistics

Book early — floatplane seats & bear-viewing permits are limited.

Booking Tips:

Book early for our peak season trips!
Please let us know of any special requirements (or interests). Children, mobility issues, extra photography equipment, medications, scheduling issues, etc.
Please do not schedule any other major activities on the same day.
If you’re staying in Juneau overnight, please let us know what dates you’ll be in town. It is best to schedule aviation based trips like Waterfall Creek towards the beginning of your stay in case there is un-flyable weather.

Ready to experience Waterfall Creek? Book Easily Online!

📩 Email: info@wildcoastexcursions.com
📞 Call: 775-572-WILD

FAQ – Waterfall Creek Bear Viewing

How long is the Waterfall Creek tour?
Trips run 5.5–6.5 hours total, including round-trip floatplane flights and 3–4 hours with bears.

Is Waterfall Creek good for photography?
Yes! The waterfall, leaping salmon, and open viewing angles make it one of the best brown-bear photo sites in Alaska.

Are bathrooms available?
No, this is true wilderness. Guests can use the tidal parts of the beach if needed. All tissue must be packed out in accordance with Leave No Trace protocols.

Can children join?
Group tours have a minimum age (often 12). Private trips can accommodate families with younger adventurers.

Will we definitely see bears?
Wildlife is never guaranteed, but during peak season sightings are highly likely.

What if there’s weather?
Floatplane flights may shift for safety; flexibility in your schedule is recommended.

Do you offer private or yacht-guest trips?
Yes, we specialize in private, custom, and superyacht-supported wildlife expeditions.

Waterfall Creek Bear Viewing – A Complete Guide for 2026

Why Waterfall Creek Is Special

Best Time to Visit Waterfall Creek