Where to See Bears in Juneau (2026 Local Guide Update)
Your definitive, field-tested guide from Wild Coast Excursions, Juneau’s bear viewing specialists.
Juneau is one of the best places in Alaska to see wild bears, both brown bears (grizzlies) and black bears, thanks to the incredible habitat of the Tongass National Forest and the remote wilderness of the ABC Islands (Admiralty, Baranof, and Chichagof). This 2026 guide is written by the team behind Wild Coast Excursions, Juneau’s bear viewing specialists and providers of the best Juneau bear tours. Below, you’ll find real local advice on where to see bears safely, responsibly, and away from crowds.
Learn more about why Juneau is one of the best places for bear viewing in Alaska.
Where to See Brown Bears in Juneau (2026 Update — and where the best Juneau bear tours take place)
Juneau’s brown bear viewing happens almost entirely on the ABC Islands, especially Admiralty Island’s Pack Creek and Chichagof Island’s Waterfall Creek. These islands hold some of the densest brown bear (grizzly) populations on Earth.
See our guide to the best Juneau bear tours for 2026.
Admiralty Island’s Pack Creek — Juneau’s Historic Brown Bear Viewing Destination
Pack Creek, on Admiralty Island, is one of the most extraordinary brown bear habitats in Alaska—home to one of the highest brown bear densities in the world. It is the most reliable location for Juneau bear viewing from May to September and a cornerstone of many Juneau bear tours.
As part of the larger ABC Islands brown bear region, Pack Creek sits within some of the most intact bear habitat in Southeast Alaska, supported by salmon-rich streams, protection as a congressionally designated wilderness, and multi-generational bear populations that have lived here with minimal human disturbance.
All bear viewing follows Leave No Trace principles and the recommended viewing distances used by the USFS. Guides can provide instruction on brown bear safety and viewing etiquette for the most responsible experience.
Why Pack Creek Is the #1 Choice in 2026
- Pack Creek bear viewing is the only place near Juneau to see brown bears through the whole summer.
- Protected wilderness with strict permit limits (max of 24 visitors per day)
- Excellent visibility of natural bear behavior
- Prime bear activity during salmon season
- High likelihood of multiple brown bear encounters
- Naturalist-led experiences (no crowds, no platforms)
- Multiple viewing areas and an optional rainforest hike
- A world-class wilderness experience
Best Season (Month-by-Month)
Pack Creek is the most consistent location for brown bear viewing near Juneau in early summer.
- May – June: Peak early-season courtship and tidal zone feeding
- July – August: Salmon-driven feeding, very high activity
- September: Strong bear presence as salmon runs taper
For Visitors:
These Pack Creek bear tours appeal to travelers who want a quiet, natural setting and a deeper understanding of Admiralty Island’s brown bears. Learn more in our detailed Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing Guide.
- Pack Creek Bear Viewing – Complete Guide 2026
- Pack Creek vs Waterfall Creek
- Juneau’s Best Bear Viewing: Pack Creek and Waterfall Creek
Pack Creek Bear Tours:
- Pack Creek Bear Viewing Tours
- Private Bear Viewing (Pack Creek Option)
Chichagof Island’s Waterfall Creek — Peak Season Brown Bear Viewing
Waterfall Creek on Chichagof Island has become one of Juneau’s most exciting wilderness bear viewing areas. Remote, quiet, and rich with salmon in late summer, it is one of the best places to watch brown bears fishing, interacting, and moving naturally through the coastal rainforest. Waterfall Creek is one of the best peak season destinations for Juneau bear tours.
This small watershed lies within one of Southeast Alaska’s most productive brown bear landscapes, where strong salmon runs and expansive, undisturbed habitat create exceptional viewing opportunities from late July into early September.
Behavioral interpretation from seasoned naturalists helps guests understand feeding patterns, social interactions, and seasonal cycles.
Why Waterfall Creek Stands Out
- Superb bear fishing activity in the second half of summer
- Extraordinary brown bear encounters during peak salmon season
- Remote, low-impact viewing area
- Outstanding up-close photography opportunities
- Ideal for private bear viewing and small-group trips
Peak Season
- July 20 – September 10, when salmon runs drive concentrated feeding activity and consistent brown bear presence.
For Visitors:
- Waterfall Creek Bear Viewing – Complete Guide 2026
- Juneau’s Best Bear Viewing: Pack Creek and Waterfall Creek
➡️ Product pages to link:
Waterfall Creek Bear Tours:
- Waterfall Creek Bear Viewing Tour
- Private Bear Viewing (Waterfall Creek Option)
The ABC Islands — Alaska’s Brown Bear Heartland
The ABC Islands—Admiralty, Baranof, and Chichagof—hold some of the highest brown bear densities ever recorded. Much of this region lies within the Tongass National Forest, the largest intact temperate rainforest on Earth and the key to Southeast Alaska’s wildlife abundance. This region forms the core of Southeast Alaska’s brown bear viewing. When travelers search for:
- “bears in Juneau”
- “Juneau bear viewing”
- “brown bear viewing Juneau”
…they are ultimately referring to the extraordinary brown bear habitat found in this remote island group.
This landscape is true Tongass wilderness—roadless, undeveloped, and shaped by salmon, tides, and centuries of brown bear activity.
The ABC Islands support one of Alaska’s highest-density brown bear ecosystems, driven by salmon-bearing streams, remote wilderness, and sparse human development. Pack Creek on Admiralty Island and Waterfall Creek on Chichagof Island are both part of this wider bear-rich region.
What Makes the ABC Islands So Exceptional
- Salmon-bearing streams that fuel predictable brown bear behavior
- Large undeveloped Tongass wilderness areas
- Intact coastal temperate rainforest, rare worldwide
- Multi-generational bear populations, some “habituated” to respectful human viewers
- True wilderness settings with no platforms, boardwalks, or crowds
For travelers seeking authentic brown bear viewing near Juneau, the ABC Islands offer unmatched opportunities. Pack Creek and Waterfall Creek are two of the best-known destinations, but many other small watersheds across Admiralty, Baranof, and Chichagof Islands also support thriving brown bear populations.
Related reading:
- Friends of Admiralty Island
- Understanding Brown Bear Behavior in the ABC Islands (planned)
- Admiralty Island – Complete Guide for Wildlife Travelers (planned)
Where to See Black Bears in Juneau (2026 Update)
With a bit of luck, Juneau’s mainland can be excellent for black bear viewing, especially during late-summer salmon runs and the spring green-up. Black bears are the species most commonly seen close to town in Juneau, along roadsides, streams, and mountain trails. This is the most accessible form of bear viewing in Juneau for independent travelers.
Brown bears do occur on the surrounding mainland, but the most dependable brown bear (grizzly) viewing from Juneau takes place on the remote ABC Islands, while mainland sightings near town almost always involve black bears. Safe, respectful black bear viewing still depends on timing, bear habitat, and distance.
For a comparison on brown and black bear viewing between Inside Passage port communities, see our guide to “Why Go Bear Viewing in Juneau?”
Mendenhall Glacier — Late Summer When Salmon Are Running
While this guide focuses on wilderness settings, the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center can offer black bear activity when salmon return to Steep Creek from late July through September. Raised boardwalks and viewing platforms help reduce disturbance, and rangers close sections of the trail when bears are at risk of being displaced by the high number of visitors.
Bear activity here varies from year to year; the reliability has decreased somewhat since the loss of a well-known female bear in 2019, but sightings still occur during strong salmon years.
Where to look:
- Forest edges near salmon streams
- Steep Creek Trail
- Riparian corridors
- Gravel bars and pools where salmon stage near the lake
Best Time:
Late July–September
Early morning and late evening
“Out the Road” — Springtime Foraging and Greens
In spring, black bears graze on tender vegetation along the northern stretch of Juneau’s road system—locally called “out the road.” As snow melts and the first greenery appears, it’s common to see bears feeding roadside or moving between forest pockets.
Best Time:
Late April–June
Morning and evening
Sightings depend on:
- Timing of green-up
- Weather patterns
- Road traffic
Avalanche Paths Above Downtown Trails — Early to Mid-Summer
Avalanche chutes above downtown trails—Perseverance, Mt. Roberts, and Basin Road—often hold compacted snow well into early summer. When they finally melt, they produce delayed bands of lush green vegetation, attracting black bears as the “green wave” climbs uphill.
Black bears forage these slopes regularly from May through July, depending on snowpack and weather.
Visitors sometimes confuse these sightings with guided brown bear tours, but avalanche chutes offer black bear viewing only and are not part of the ABC Islands brown bear ecosystem.
These areas require extra caution due to steep terrain, limited sightlines, and lack of management.
Best Time:
May – July
Morning and evening
Where to look:
- Open avalanche chutes above Perseverance Trail
- Lower Mt. Roberts bowl
- Basin Road avalanche paths
⚠️ Safety Note:
These are not managed viewing sites. Give bears plenty of space, stay aware of vegetation and terrain breaks, and avoid stopping directly beneath steep slopes.
Other Black Bear Areas Near Juneau
Not a designated bear viewing area, but black, and occasionally brown, bears are often seen foraging shoreline meadows and tidal zones halfway up the fjords. These are chance sightings but common on wildlife cruises.
A historic, remote lodge known for its salmon bake. The scent of grilling salmon attracts local black bears, and it’s not unusual to see a bear investigating the area when staff are occupied. This is not a wilderness encounter but can offer close views of black bears around the property.
Where NOT to Expect Wilderness Bear Viewing
Juneau offers many places where visitors might see bears — and those moments can be some of the most magical parts of an Alaska trip. But not all bear-friendly locations in Juneau are wilderness areas, and most close to town sightings involve black bears, not the large coastal brown bears found on the ABC Islands.
Here’s what to expect:
Hatcheries & urban areas
- These are not wilderness environments, and in Juneau specifically, hatcheries do not offer regular bear activity.
- When bears do appear in human-built areas elsewhere in Alaska, they are almost always black bears, not brown bears.
Roadside and trail sightings
- Seeing a black bear unexpectedly along a trail or “out the road” is a special experience — it’s part of what makes Alaska feel wild.
- These sightings are unpredictable, and again, are typically black bears. If you are on a road, you are not yet in the wilderness.
Managed viewing platforms (like Mendenhall’s Steep Creek Trail)
- These spots can offer black bear activity during late-summer salmon runs.
- They’re designed for safety and education, but they are not remote, wilderness habitats.
If your goal is authentic brown bear viewing in true wilderness, those opportunities are found on the ABC Islands — especially Pack Creek (Admiralty Island) and Waterfall Creek (Chichagof Island) — both accessed by floatplane.
Join a Small-Group or Private Wilderness Bear Viewing Trip
The most reliable, responsible, and meaningful way to see bears near Juneau is to join a small-group or private bear viewing trip.
Why Choose a Bear Viewing Trip with Wild Coast Excursions?
Wild Coast Excursions focuses exclusively on small-group and private, floatplane-accessed bear viewing trips to the best brown bear habitats in Southeast Alaska. Our trips prioritize real wilderness, natural bear behavior, and an authentic experience far from crowds, platforms, or roadside viewing.
What sets Wild Coast Excursions apart:
- Floatplane-accessed wilderness trips to Admiralty and Chichagof Islands
- Small groups and private tours for a personal, unhurried wildlife experience
- Uncrowded, platform-free bear viewing focused on natural behavior and ecology
- Deep local knowledge of Pack Creek, Waterfall Creek, and the ABC Islands
- Safety-first, low-impact wildlife practices informed by years in the field
- Dedicated bear viewing specialists (not a general sightseeing operator)
Our Expert Guides:
(Full team page coming soon)
Our guiding staff includes former U.S. Forest Service Wilderness and Pack Creek Rangers, as well as senior lead guides from other respected Tongass bear viewing operations — an extremely rare level of field experience in Southeast Alaska.
You’ll learn more in our upcoming “Meet the Team” guide — but you’ll feel the difference the moment your trip begins.
Book Now:
Book a trip with Juneau’s bear viewing specialists.
- Juneau Bear Viewing Tours
- Pack Creek Bear Tours
- Waterfall Creek Bear Viewing
- Private Wilderness Bear Viewing
More Resources for 2026 Wildlife Travelers
- Pack Creek Bear Viewing – Complete Guide 2026
- Waterfall Creek Bear Viewing – Complete Guide 2026
- Juneau’s Best Bear Viewing
- Why Go Bear Viewing in Juneau?
- Pack Creek vs Waterfall Creek
- Admiralty Island – Complete Guide
In 2026, Pack Creek and Waterfall Creek remain the two most consistent places to see brown bears near Juneau, while black bears continue to thrive around Mendenhall Glacier, Northern Juneau’s road system, and mountain avalanche paths during spring and summer. Understanding the difference between these viewing areas, and between the brown bears of the ABC Islands and the black bears of mainland Juneau, helps travelers choose the right bear viewing experience for their interests. These distinctions—location, species, season, and access—are key to choosing the right Juneau bear viewing experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When is the best time to see bears in Juneau?
The overall bear viewing season runs from May through September. Only Pack Creek offers reliable and world-class bear viewing that whole time. Brown bears peak during salmon season (Late July–September) on Admiralty and Chichagof Islands. Black bears peak late August–September near mainland salmon streams.
Where are the most reliable places to see brown bears near Juneau?
The most reliable locations are Pack Creek (Admiralty Island) and Waterfall Creek (Chichagof Island), two of the most productive brown bear habitats in Alaska.
Can you see bears in Juneau without a guide?
Black bears are occasionally seen near Mendenhall Glacier and “out the road,” but brown bears are almost never viewed without a floatplane-accessed trip to the ABC Islands. Pack Creek is accessible to the public and rangers are present for the peak season. For many reasons, most fly-in brown bear viewers choose to hire a local guide like the experts at Wild Coast Excursions.
Are Pack Creek permits required in 2026?
Yes. Pack Creek requires permits during all summer months. Guided trips include permits and flight logistics.
Are there crowds at Pack Creek or Waterfall Creek?
No. Both locations are remote wilderness areas with limited human presence, offering quiet, uncrowded bear viewing.
