Waterfall Creek Brown Bear Viewing Juneau in Juneau
Juneau, United States

Waterfall Creek Brown Bear Viewing Juneau

Outty Ranking 53 5.0 · 6 traveler reviews6 hoursFrom $1099

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

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Age 12 and under

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Outty Ranking

53/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 6 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Waterfall Creek Brown Bear Viewing Juneau worth booking?

Waterfall Creek Brown Bear Viewing Juneau is a 6-hour experience in Juneau, United States, from $1099 per person. It scores 53 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 5/5 rating across 6 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
53 / 100
Rating
5/5 (6)
Duration
6 hours
From
$1099 per person

Your day begins with a trip briefing and safety orientation led by your experienced wilderness guide, followed by a captivating 30-minute floatplane flight to Chichagof Island. Touch down at the remote and lesser-known w

What you get

    About this experience

    Your day begins with a trip briefing and safety orientation led by your experienced wilderness guide, followed by a captivating 30-minute floatplane flight to Chichagof Island. Touch down at the remote and lesser-known wilderness location of Waterfall Creek, a hidden gem that offers unparalleled brown bear viewing during the peak of the salmon run, from late July to August. The primary viewing location is just a short stroll along the rocky shoreline. Brown bears may make an appearance at any moment while you're ashore. Your knowledgeable guide will direct you to the best vantage points for optimal viewing and photography. After several hours of absorbing the beauty of brown bear viewing, embark on a hike back to your awaiting floatplane, ready to transport you back to Juneau. This is an authentic Alaskan wilderness adventure! While we cannot guarantee wildlife sightings, the abundant bear population in the Waterfall Creek area rarely disappoints.

    What's included

    Included

    • Rain gear, jackets and rubber boots provided
    • Certified guide
    • All necessary equipment
    • Lunch, hearty snacks, and water
    • Round-trip transportation via van and floatplane
    • All required permits

    Not included

    • Gratuities

    What you'll see and do

    1. Gear outfitting & orientation, transport to the float pond

      60 minutes here · Admission included

    2. Tongass National Forest

      Begin your wilderness adventure with a scenic 30-minute floatplane flight. Be sure to have your camera ready as you glide over amazing landscapes and look out for marine wildlife below before touching down at Waterfall Creek. This is a relatively unknown, remote wilderness location that provides unmatched brown bear viewing during the peak of the salmon run, late July-August. Brown bears may be seen at any time while ashore. The guide will direct to the best spots for viewing and photography. Groups will spend most time seated, quiet, and still to enhance the opportunities of seeing bears. While we do occasionally have close encounters, our goal is for the bears to ignore us and engage in their natural behaviors. After enjoying four hours of brown bear viewing, hike back to where your floatplane is waiting to whisk you back to Juneau. This is truly an Alaskan wilderness adventure!

      300 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Juneau

    The “C” Sign, located near the cruise ship docks directly between Mt. Roberts Tramway and the green Taku Smokeries building, is our centralized downtown meeting location for all clients in the downtown area, including the majority of cruise ship passengers.

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.

    Ends at

    The “C” Sign, located near the cruise ship docks directly between Mt. Roberts Tramway and the green Taku Smokeries building, is our centralized downtown meeting location for all clients in the downtown area, including the majority of cruise ship passengers.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 5 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Above and Beyond Alaska

    Know before you go

    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    • Due to aircraft restrictions, there is a 250lbs per person weight limit on this tour. All passenger weights need to be provided at time of booking.
    • Please note, this tour requires a minimum of 4 to operate. If minimum requirement is not met, reservation is subject to change or cancellation.
    • Minimum age is 12 years
    • Bear Sightings are not guaranteed. This is wild Alaska!
    • Participants must be fit enough to hike 1-2 miles through the wilderness.
    • The Waterfall Creek Bear Viewing Area is a wilderness area with no facilities, restrooms, or shelter on site. All garbage and waste must be packed out.
    • All participants must agree to follow all guide and ranger direction, always stay with the group, store all food items in designated bear proof lockers, and keep all personal belongings on their person.
    • Due to the inherent risks involved in this type of tour, pregnant guests are not permitted to participate.
    • This trip operates in all weather conditions (barring unsafe conditions, to be determined by ABAK) – We can’t stress enough how important it is to dress appropriately.
    • RELEASE OF LIABILITY/ASSUMPTION OF RISK FORM: Every participant on the trip must sign a Release of Liability/Assumption of Risk form at the start of the trip. Alterations and/or deletions to the waiver are not permitted.

    Photos

    Waterfall Creek Brown Bear Viewing in AlaskaWaterfall Creek Brown Bear Viewing in AlaskaWaterfall Creek Brown Bear Viewing in AlaskaWaterfall Creek Brown Bear Viewing in AlaskaWaterfall Creek Brown Bear Viewing in AlaskaSeaplane to Waterfall Creek Brown Bear Viewing in Alaska

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    3 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    1 mention

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Photo opportunities

    1 mention

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Organization

    1 mention

    Pickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.

    Traveler reviews

    4 verified traveler reviews for Waterfall Creek Brown Bear Viewing Juneau. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    4
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    dalef595 · August 2026

    Best Bear Trip in Juneau

    This was my third time with ABAK and second time at Waterfall. Excellent bear viewing every tour I’ve taken. The excursion is very well organized by the company and Kelsey is one of the best bear guides in Southeast Alaska. As a Juneau resident I wholeheartedly support folks visiting to take one of these tours.

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your continued support! We’re honored to have you join us for a third ABAK adventure and thrilled to hear you’ve had such great bear-viewing experiences. We truly appreciate your recommendation, especially coming from a Juneau resident. We hope to adventure with you again!

    via Tripadvisor

    V8763ZLdanielh · August 2026

    Awesome excursion

    A truly wonderful experience!

    Response from the operator: Thank you for this positive review! We appreciate you making us part of your Alaska vacation.

    via Tripadvisor

    KristeninDenver · July 2026

    Authentic bear viewing without a lot of tourism feel

    Great experience. Unlike some other bear tours in AK, this one is quiet and serene, without loads of other tourists. We walked over to an area to observe the bears. It was 3 of us and a guide. The bears were a safe distance from us and it was lovely to watch them while on the ground with them. It felt safe and felt authentic. Highly recommend!

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the peaceful and authentic experience of observing bears in their natural habitat. Our small-group approach allows guests to truly connect with the landscape and wildlife while maintaining a safe and respectful distance. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back to Alaska for another unforgettable adventure!

    via Tripadvisor

    Journey743218 · September 2025

    Once in a lifetime experience with brown bears at waterfall creek in Alaska

    Waterfall creek bear viewing was truly once in a lifetime experience. The floatplane views were spectacular. Our guides kelci and Mike were super knowledgeable and kept us safe. They had us sit in a tight group about 60 or so yards from the waterfall. They brought us chairs to sit on the ground. We saw a mom and 2 cubs on the walk from the plane to the waterfall. That sight of them would have been enough but the bears were not done. Over the next 3 hours 3 bears walked right by us and our guides were calm and kept us safe. We were blessed with viewing 13 different bears feed on salmon and interact with each other. Then back to the plane. An extraordinary experience. All very professional and full of information. I highly recommend this company and the tour.

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your thorough review! It sounds like you had some stunning and rare views of the bears, and we're glad to hear you felt safe with our guides. We hope to welcome you back again soon!

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    6 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    Available for selected locations
    Booked in 30 days
    2
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 53

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)86
    Review evidence (18% weight)22
    Booking momentum (14% weight)14
    Value for money (12% weight)1
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)57
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Waterfall Creek Brown Bear Viewing Juneau: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Juneau.

    How much does Waterfall Creek Brown Bear Viewing Juneau cost?

    +

    Prices start at $1099 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Juneau usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Waterfall Creek Brown Bear Viewing Juneau take?

    +

    Plan for about 6 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Juneau is not rushed.

    Is Waterfall Creek Brown Bear Viewing Juneau worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 53 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 6 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Juneau, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Waterfall Creek Brown Bear Viewing Juneau?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Waterfall Creek Brown Bear Viewing Juneau suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Waterfall Creek Brown Bear Viewing Juneau?

    +

    Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Juneau can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Juneau and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Waterfall Creek Brown Bear Viewing Juneau start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Juneau within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Juneau?

    +

    Juneau runs Mendenhall Glacier trips, whale watching in Auke Bay, helicopter glacier landings with dog sledding, and rainforest hikes. Most tours are timed to cruise ship windows, so we weight clear duration and pickup detail. On Outty we rank every Juneau experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching, Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier, Whales and Wilderness Exploration. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Juneau?

    +

    May to September, peaking for humpbacks in June and July. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Juneau?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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