Bear Photo Safari Packages

All packages include guided fishing as well as wildlife viewing

This includes airport transportation from the King Salmon airport to the lodge, all food, professional guide and transportation to Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park.

We are one of the very few lodging operations that are located inside of the world famous Katmai National Park. We have both boat and float plane access to all of the remote beaches, streams, waterfalls and river mouths that the photogenic bears of Katmai love to frequent.

Of course we offer daily trips to the famous Brooks Falls, home to the storied “fat bears” made famous by the Brooks Bear Cam’s. A trip to the falls to see and photograph these amazing bears is a must for every visitor to Alaska. Our unique location allows to offer this visit to Brooks Falls as part of our standard package. However, why settle for just a trip to Brooks, when you can head out on Naknek Lake to experience the remote parts of Katmai National Park that few park visitors ever get a chance to see.

Boat to the stunning Bay of Islands and see the rocky islands, pristine beaches and remote creek mouths. Hike in to photograph one of the many small waterfalls that entice the bears too shy to visit the busy Brooks River Falls. We will take you to remote beaches where the only other tracks might be from a wolf, bear or possibly even a rare wolverine.

Our day trips to these remote locations around the 45 mile long Naknek Lake are all included in our standard packages and include a U.S.C.G. Licensed captain and experience guide to show you around Katmai National Park.

A photo safari can be combined with any of our other activities to make your trip to Alaska one you will remember for the rest of your life. A sample week might go something like this:

Day 1 – Boat to Brooks Falls for the day. Hike the trails, visit the historic homesite, walk the trail to the top of Dumpling Mountain and or hike up to the top of the river to beautiful Brooks Lake.

Day 2 – Jump in a jet boat and fish the rapids on the Naknek River. Catch a limit of delicious sockeye salmon, which we will clean, Vac Pack and freeze for you to take home to share with your friends back home.

Day 3 – Boat to one of the remote stream mouths on Naknek Lake to see and photograph bears in a more natural environment. Lunch on the beach. Hike up a remote trail after lunch and visit a few waterfalls off the beaten path.

Day 4 – Jet boat down the Naknek and up a small feeder stream to practice your flyfishing. If you are new to fly angling, we have expert fly-casting instructors and all the gear you need to take up this fantastic sport. Watch for moose, eagles, beaver and wolves while exploring this small river as it winds its way through hills and sloughs at it works its way down from Becharof National Wildlife Refuge.

Day 5 and 6 – Raft the Rapids, Take an ATV trail ride, Kayak the river or the lake, book an optional scenic float plane flight over the valley of 10,000 smokes, take a guided shuttle van trip to the Bering Sea to witness the vibrant commercial fishing community of Naknek as they attempt to harvest their share of the Bristol Bay salmon run, which is the largest run in the world. Or just spend another day fishing the river that Fish Alaska Magazine has called the “Best trophy rainbow fishing in the State of Alaska”.

Our normal trip is Saturday to Saturday, with activities Sunday through Friday. If a shorter trip is all that fits your schedule, we can customize a shorter trip. 

Base price is per person for a 3-night/2-day trip. 4-night/3-day, or 7-night/6-day trips available for an additional fee per person.

Early Season – June & July

Smolting Rainbows on the Naknek:

The best rainbow fishing is close to camp. The rainbows concentrate on salmon smolt and leeches migrating downstream to the ocean. The best offerings include large rabbit strip and marabou leeches in black, olive and dark brown. NOT egg sucking leeches. Minnow imitations are also deadly in small to medium sizes.

Kings and Sockeye are also possible!

Late Season – August & September

Rainbows on the Naknek:

The best rainbow fishing is close to camp and in the rapids. The rainbows will still take salmon smolt and leeches migrating downstream to the ocean, but by far the biggest food source is salmon eggs. Sockeye eggs are 6mm, silvers and pinks are 8mm and kings are 10mm. Sometimes, oversize imitations work better. I like trout beads mottled beads in orange, dark roe and pinks in sizes 6mm – 12mm. Don’t forget #8 and #10 short shank hooks and toothpicks (or the clear plastic pegs). For leeches, I like articulated and bunny strip versions without eggs in front in black, olive, purple and flesh colors. Wool head sculpin also work well. Late in the season, flesh flies might be needed.

Pinks, Kings and Sockeye are also possible!