Fortress of the Bears Pack Creek

Join us for an unforgettable brown bear viewing experience at the “Fortress of the Bears” at Pack Creek Bear Sanctuary! You’ll begin your day with a 25-minute scenic float plane flight to Pack Creek, the premier coastal brown bear viewing area on Admiralty Island. As you disembark the plane, you’ll be greeted by the rangers of Pack Creek. From here, follow in the bear’s footprints as you walk the shoreline and forest trails to the brown bear viewing locations.

The Tlingit call Admiralty Island Kootznoowoo “Fortress of the Bears”, aptly named with perhaps 1800 brown bears, one of the highest bear densities anywhere on earth. With approximately 1 brown bear per square mile, Admiralty Island is home to roughly 10% of Alaska’s entire brown bear population and to one of the highest brown bear population densities on Earth!

From the banks of Pack Creek, we’ll have the opportunity to watch bears fishing for salmon or napping in the tall grass. While wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, the abundant bear population of the Pack Creek area rarely disappoints. Brown Bears are most active during mating season (late May – June) and annual salmon runs ( late July and August).

***Kayaking is included June 19th – July 20th due to limited bear activity. Enjoy the scenic, wilderness paddle along the coastline as you approach Pack Creek. 

We are grateful to the Tlingit village of Angoon for allowing us to share this part of their homeland with our guests. Pack Creek is an ecosystem rich in flora and fauna that provides rich sustenance to the healthy brown bear population on Admiralty Island. Eagles are extraordinarily abundant along the shoreline, and the cries of loons haunt Admiralty’s lakes. This is truly one of the gemstones of Southeast Alaska, affording visitors opportunities to view and photograph wildlife up close.

Client Pickup Information

Located at the base of the Mt. Roberts Tramway, the C-Sign is ABAK’s primary downtown meeting location for cruise passengers and clients staying in the downtown area.

Clients arriving at AJ Dock:

Clients who dock at the AJ Dock within 30 minutes of the ABAK pick-up time will be picked up directly from AJ DOCK.

Clients Staying Locally:

Clients can be picked up from any major hotel in the Mendenhall Valley.

Clients staying at major hotels in the Downtown area will meet at our Downtown meeting location.

ABAK is unable to provide pick-up in residential neighborhoods. Clients staying at private residences, Air BnB’s, VRBO’s, or have own transportation please contact our office for meeting location information at 907-364-2333 or info@beyondak.com.