Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area

 The native Tlingít people call Admiralty Island "Kootznoowoo," or "Fortress of the Bears." The island is home to an estimated 1,500 brown bears -- more than all the Lower 48 states combined.

At the Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing Area, you can enter the bears' world and watch these magnificent creatures in their natural setting.

A 30-minute floatplane ride from Juneau, Pack Creek is popular with locals and visitors alike.

As you plan your trip it is important to keep in mind the following information:

• The Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area is a Wilderness Area. This means there are no facilities on site, including no bathrooms, no shelter from the elements (except at the Observation Tower) and no cell phone service.
• Access to and traveling around the bear viewing area requires getting your feet wet, so make sure you have rubber boots.
• Bring rain gear and extra layers, even if the weather seems to be nice. The weather can turn cold and rainy at any time of the year in southeast Alaska.

Lastly, no bears or people have been harmed at Pack Creek since the area has been actively managed. In order to maintain this record all visitors must strictly follow the rules outlined by the rangers. This will ensure a safe and stress free environment for the bears that make their home at Pack Creek.

To protect the bears and other wilderness resources at Pack Creek, a permit is required to visit Pack Creek between April 1 and September 30. Visitors are limited to 24 people per day.

Pack Creek is managed cooperatively by the U.S. Forest Service and the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, whose staff are available to provide orientations and answer questions during your visit.

You are invited to explore the links at right for more information on visiting Pack Creek. If you need more information than you can find at this site, call 907-586-8800 or reach out to the Admiralty National Monument.

 

Pack Creek is cooperatively managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Alaska Department of Fish & Game