Bear Viewing at Redoubt Mountain Lodge - Lake Clark NP
Alaska is known for its large bear population, with up to 100,000 black and more than 30,000 brown bears. Despite that, spotting bears during an Alaska vacation is not guaranteed, and some tourists go back home without seeing these majestic, powerful animals. Visitors usually have the best chance of seeing grizzlies in Denali National Park or black bears in Anchorage, Seward, Cooper Landing, Palmer, or Valdez.
To increase your chances of seeing brown bears, consider booking a tour with local companies specializing in bear expeditions. These tours are conducted by air taxis, allowing visitors to reach remote areas where bears gather annually. While Brooks Falls is Alaska's most famous bear viewing spot, trips to other areas of the Katmai National Park and to Lake Clark National Park are also offered and are definitely worth considering.
This article will focus on a bear-viewing tour in Crescent Lake, located at the foot of Redoubt Volcano among the peaks of Lake Clark National Park. Before embarking on the tour, please take the time to learn more about the park's history, ecosystem, and wildlife. Also, learn more about the Dena'ina Athabascan people, who have called the Lake Clark (Qizhjeh Vena) area their home for thousands of years.
Lake Clark National Park Bear Viewing
The trip to this location departs from Lake Hood Airport in Anchorage. We visited Crescent Lake at the invitation of our partner, Fly Rusts. Since these trips regularly sell out, it's worth checking availability with other local operators. In 2024, the price for this day tour was a little over $1250.00 per person, including all the taxes.
The best time to view bears in this location is August and September. Photographers love this place, especially in mid- and late-September, when the local foliage transforms into beautiful autumn colors, creating a stunning backdrop for bears and the turquoise lake waters.
We visited Redoubt Mountain Lodge on September 8th, 2024, and the colors were just changing at Crescent Lake.
It's essential to remember that the weather in Alaska is unpredictable, which may lead to trip cancellations. Participants typically find out about these cancellations when they arrive at the airport. In such cases, visitors receive a refund of the trip cost or, if possible, have the opportunity to reschedule the trip for another date. September in Alaska is known for its fast-changing weather conditions, which may impact any flightseeing tour in the state.
When planning this trip, we recommend spending two nights in Anchorage, one before and one after the tour. This trip is relatively long, averaging around 10 hours. Considering the possibility of delays, it's important to allow extra time and avoid planning a long drive or flight on the same day as the trip.
On this tour, very little activity is required except for getting on a float plane, boarding a boat, and a short walk uphill to the restaurant. It makes it a good fit for families with kids, as well as seniors.
The Alaska Bear Viewing Adventure Begins
We arrived at the operator's office at 8:30 a.m. on a wet, chilly September morning. All guests were quickly weighed and informed that the flight would be delayed due to fog over Lake Crescent. Despite the delay, the staff maintained a cheerful attitude and were eager to answer any questions we had. While we waited, we had the chance to browse through some brochures, mingle with other travelers, and savor freshly brewed coffee. The office employees kept us in the loop regarding the changing conditions, and finally, just after 9:30 a.m., there was a buzz of excitement as we were given the green light to prepare to board the planes.
On that particular day, three float planes flew over Lake Crescent. After a short briefing with the pilot, we were assigned seats, and the adventure began. These are small planes, so there is very limited legroom, but every passenger has a window view. Your backpack will be stored in the back of the plane, so make sure that you have everything you need during the flight in your pockets. Due to the cloudy conditions, the flight on that specific day was not the most spectacular for the most part. However, we still had the opportunity to observe impressive rivers, the waters of Cook Inlet, and marshes along the route. After about 45 minutes of flight, the pilot rose above the clouds, and we could see the high peaks of Lake Clark National Park, including Redoubt Volcano.
About 60 minutes after taking off from Anchorage, the plane began its descent, and suddenly, we caught our first breathtaking glimpse of Crescent Lake and the Redoubt Mountain Lodge, where guides and boats were already eagerly waiting for our arrival. Once we disembarked from the plane, all participants were asked to complete waivers and use the bathroom. After that, we were smoothly escorted onto the pontoon boats, where we were provided with raincoats for potential rain and wind protection. I’d like to mention that we had already been bear viewing in various places, but the boats at Redoubt Mountain Lodge were definitely the most modern, clean, and comfortable.
Redoubt Mountain Lodge Bear Viewing Experience
Our guide introduced himself, and we quickly began searching for brown bears. After about 5 minutes, we spotted the first bear, quickly disappearing into the dense bushes. Our guide expertly navigated the boat and the waters, and within the first hour, we had the chance to observe several bears in different parts of the lake. We always maintained a safe distance from the bears to ensure they were not disturbed by our presence, which, unfortunately, is not always the case in Alaska. The guide shared exciting information about the bears, their behavior, and his own experiences working in bear territory. The time passed pleasantly, and the good weather we experienced that day added to our enjoyment.
At around 1 p.m., we were taken back to the lodge and invited for lunch. As we waited, we were offered steaming hot chocolate, freshly brewed coffee, and a variety of teas. The lodge restaurant was not only clean and cozy but also offered exceptional service, especially given its remote location. For lunch, we were treated to delicious fresh sockeye salmon served with a flavorful salad and rice. To top it off, we were surprised with a delightful treat of fresh cookies. After lunch, around 2 p.m., we eagerly returned to the boats to continue the search for bears.
During the second part of the trip, we continued to move by boat along the shore of the lake. Our guide knew very well where the salmon were at this time, and with them came the bears. Among other things, we saw a mother with three little cubs and a huge male slowly moving along one of the picturesque beaches. Finally, we reached a section of the lake where, in the space of an hour, we saw at least seven different bears completely unconcerned with each other and our presence.
At 4:45 pm, we were informed that our pilot was approaching the lake and that it was time to return. After reaching Redoubt Mountain Lodge, we used the bathroom, thanked and tipped the guides, and quickly boarded the plane. We took off from Lake Crescent Meadow at 5:15 p.m., landing in Anchorage at 6:00 p.m.
Best Bear Viewing in Southcentral Alaska
In the stunning wilderness of Lake Clark National Park, Redoubt Mountain Lodge is the ultimate bear-watching destination for adventurers visiting in August or September. This lodge offers unparalleled service with top-notch pilots, guides, equipment, and gourmet cuisine. Although the tour may come with a price tag, for wildlife enthusiasts with a passion for adventure, it promises an experience beyond compare.
We simply can’t wait to go back!
