Fish Creek Bear Viewing Area

Black bear in creek with fish in mouth trees and rock sin foreground
Photo taken by Erwin "Wes" Weston
 

Fish Creek is the first Alaskan stop on the way north to mainland Alaska. It has a run of what may be the largest chum salmon known. The chum salmon in fish creek are large enough they were once thought to be a different species. Fish creek also supports a run of pink salmon. The salmon in turn support brown (grizzly), black bears and wolves that feed at Fish Creek July through Mid-September. Beavers, mink, bald eagles, sharp shinned hawks, great blue herons, and gulls have also been seen at the site.

From July 15 through September 20, an individual ticket is required to visit the wildlife viewing site. Visitation outside this time does not require a reservation or pass. Entry tickets may be purchased online through Recreation.gov or on-site by credit card only. NO CASH OR CHECKS can be accepted. Search for: Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site, Tongass National Forest.

Buy Tickets 

$5

One Day Pass

$10

Three Day Pass

$20

Weekly (seven day) Pass

*There is no Mobile/Cell Signal at the site.

**Please follow good wildlife photography and viewing ethics. - https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=viewing.tips

How will I know if the salmon are returning and the bears are beginning to show up? 

You can call 1-250-636-2367 beginning July 1 for daily updated wildlife activities at the Fish Creek Bear Viewing facility on the Tongass NF.

Safety Information

  • Keep pets and food inside your vehicle.
  • No Cooking at the site, including parking areas.
  • Walk directly to the board walk to access the site. Do not walk along the road.

Facilities

The Fish Creek Wildlife Observatory consists of a 600-foot elevated wooden viewing platform, 2 parking areas, a second raised walkway along a spawning channel connecting the parking areas to the main viewing area, and an outhouse.

Fish creek wood walkway information sign

Directions (From British Columbia):

The Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site is in Hyder, Alaska. Drive 41 miles east on Highway 37A from the Cassiar Highway. Continue the main road through Hyder, then go three miles past the town to arrive at Fish Creek.

Area Attractions:

  • The drive into Hyder on Hwy 37A curves through a scenic glacial valley.
    • The Bear glacier and lake below it can be viewed from the road.
  • A jökulhlaup or glacial outburst flood has occurred every summer on the Salmon River since 1969. You can drive 20 miles past Fish Creek to view the 7-mile-long Salmon Glacier and lake which drains completely every summer, causing the flood.
  • Both Hyder and Stewart, B.C. have amenities for the weary traveler.

For more information call: 250-636-2367. Call after July 1 for regular updates on wildlife activity at Fish Creek.