Grizzly Bears in Glacier Bay - Viewing & Safety Guide

The brown bear of Glacier Bay -- crikey, what an absolute unit! Ursus arctos is officially confirmed present in this park, sharing the landscape with black bears and wolves. Respect the golden rule here: 100 yards minimum, every single time. This is his backcountry, and we are just visiting.

Quick facts

Scientific Name: Ursus arctos
Species Type: Mammal
Identifying Features: This is the North American brown bear -- the grizzly is a population of Ursus arctos, and in coastal Alaska you will hear both names used. Do not rely on fur color alone to tell him apart from the black bears that also live in Glacier Bay; if you are unsure, treat any bear with maximum respect and distance.

Species profile

Scientific Name: Ursus arctos
Species Type: Mammal
Identifying Features: This is the North American brown bear -- the grizzly is a population of Ursus arctos, and in coastal Alaska you will hear both names used. Do not rely on fur color alone to tell him apart from the black bears that also live in Glacier Bay; if you are unsure, treat any bear with maximum respect and distance.

Where & when to look

Where To See: Brown bears range widely through Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. The park highlights brown bear country around Tlingit Point, and bears use shorelines and coastal areas throughout the bay -- always scan ahead when traveling the coast or camping near Bartlett Cove.
Habitat Description: Glacier Bay is a wild mosaic of tidewater shoreline, recovering post-glacial terrain, and forest -- brown bear country from the beaches to the high ground. These bears work the coastlines and open country of this roadless park and preserve.

Wildlife safety

Dangerous: 1
Viewing Distance Required: 100 yards -- that is the park's required distance for bears and wolves, and it is non-negotiable. Other wildlife gets 25 yards. If the bear changes its behavior because of you, you are already too close.
Safety Precautions: Keep 100 yards from bears at all times -- park rule, and it protects you both.
Make noise as you travel so bears hear you coming; surprising a brown bear is the worst mistake you can make.
Store food and anything scented properly, day and night. Never leave food unattended.
Travel in groups and stay alert in brushy areas and along shorelines.
Never run from a bear.
If Encountered: Stop. Stay calm, mate. Group together, speak in a calm, firm voice so he knows you are human, and back away slowly while keeping an eye on him -- never run, and never turn your back. Give him an escape route and plenty of room. If he stands up, he is usually just trying to work out what you are, not threatening you.
Never Feed Approach: 1
Report Sightings: 0

Photography & conservation

Recommended Equipment: Binoculars are essential in a park this vast -- most of your bear watching should happen through glass. A telephoto lens is the only way to fill the frame from 100 yards. Proper food storage gear is part of your wildlife kit here too.
Ethical Photography: The 100-yard rule applies to your camera, too. Never bait, call to, or follow a bear for a shot, and never position yourself between a bear and its travel route or the water. If the bear reacts to you at all, back off -- the best wildlife photos are the ones the animal never knew you took.
How Visitors Help: You are the front line, legend! Store food and scented items properly every single time -- bears that learn to associate people with food rarely survive the lesson. Keep your distance, pack out all trash, and give bears the space to stay wild. Every clean camp keeps a Glacier Bay bear alive.

Viewing advice

Best Time To Visit: Glacier Bay's main visitor season runs late May through early September, with the peak in July -- that is when boat tours and services are running and your odds of being out where the bears are go way up. Bears are typically most active in the shoulder hours of the day, so keep your eyes peeled early and late.
Viewing Tips: Glass the shorelines -- coastal edges are prime bear travel routes in Glacier Bay.
Watch from the water when you can; boats and kayaks let you observe safely at distance.
Move slow, stay quiet, and let the scene come to you.
Bring patience: this is a vast, wild park and the bears are on their own schedule.
Tips Advice: Scan shorelines and open slopes with binoculars before moving through an area -- spot him before he spots you.
Travel in groups and make noise so you never surprise a bear at close range.
Keep every scrap of food and scented gear locked away -- a food-conditioned bear is a doomed bear.
Know your bears: black bears also live in this park, so do not assume color tells you the species.
100 yards. Always. No photo is worth closing that gap.
Accessibility: Glacier Bay is a largely roadless park -- there is no wildlife-watching from a car here. Most visitors see the park's wildlife by boat or from the trails and shoreline around Bartlett Cove, so plan your viewing around water travel and walking.
Family Friendly Notes: Bear country rules for the whole crew: keep kids close and within sight at all times, teach them to never run and never approach any animal, and make noise together on the trail -- a chatty family is a safe family in brown bear country.

More details

Nearby Facilities: The Glacier Bay Visitor Information Station serves the Bartlett Cove area -- check in there for current wildlife guidance before heading out.

Frequently asked questions

Are there really grizzly bears in Glacier Bay?

Absolutely -- the brown bear (Ursus arctos) is confirmed present on the park's official species inventory. In coastal Alaska you will hear them called brown bears or grizzlies; either way, it is the same magnificent species.

How close can I get to a bear in Glacier Bay?

100 yards -- that is the park's required distance for bears and wolves, no exceptions. Bring binoculars or a telephoto lens and let the distance work for you.

Is it safe to camp in Glacier Bay with bears around?

Yes, if you follow the rules: store all food and scented items properly, keep a clean camp, make noise while traveling, and never keep food in your sleeping area. A clean camp is your best protection -- and the bear's.

What should I do if I encounter a brown bear?

Stop, stay calm, group up, and speak in a calm voice so it knows you are human. Back away slowly -- never run, never turn your back. Give the bear space and an escape route.

Can I bring food on the trails?

You can, but it must be stored properly and never left unattended. Food-conditioned bears become dangerous bears, and that story rarely ends well for the bear. Pack it in, lock it up, pack it out.

Is a grizzly the same as a brown bear?

The grizzly is a North American population of the brown bear, Ursus arctos. In coastal Alaska like Glacier Bay, 'brown bear' is the common name you will hear most, but both names point to the same species.