Alaska Grizzly Bear Photo Safari
If you're serious about bear photography, this is the place.
📸 I use the ORIGINAL Alaskan Bear Adventure Lodge — in business since 1978. No gimmicks, no distractions. Just bears.
🐻 This isn’t a fishing lodge pretending to be a bear tour. It’s 100% dedicated to photographing and observing Alaska’s grizzlies.
Why shoot with me?
Decades as a wildlife biologist — I know bear behavior inside and out.
Decades as a full-time photo tour leader — I know what photographers need.
Decades guiding bear safaris — I know how to keep you safe and get you close.
2026
Jul 28-Aug 2 - Camping
Aug 4-9 - Lodge-based with Daily Fly-outs (full)
Sep 18-24 - New FALL TRIP!! - Lodge-based with Daily Fly-outs
2027
Jul 24-29 - Lodge-based with Daily Fly-outs
July 30-Aug 4 - Lodge-based with Daily Fly-outs
Aug 6-11 - Lodge-based with Daily Fly-outs
Katmai and Lake Clark National Parks in Alaska represent the Earth’s best location to photograph the iconic coastal grizzly (brown) bear in its natural habitat. In these parks, many of the salmon streams are situated high in the alpine zones and open tundra, providing clear, unobstructed views that allow photographers to capture truly spectacular and detailed images of these magnificent animals. The trips are thoughtfully scheduled to coincide with what is typically the peak of the Sockeye Salmon run at my favorite photo location within Katmai National Park and Preserve, maximizing the chances of witnessing dramatic bear behaviors. While our primary focus will be on photographing bears actively chasing salmon, there will also be excellent opportunities to capture unique interactions between the bears themselves, including sows with cubs and solitary bears roaming the tundra against breathtaking natural backdrops. On the lodge-based trips, we will also make at least one visit to the celebrated Brooks Falls, a renowned spot known for thrilling bear and salmon encounters, further enriching the photographic experience.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
All-inclusive Photo Safari to some of the best bear photography locations on the planet
Concentration on photographing grizzly bears fishing for salmon…the most fun you can have with a camera!
Access to more than 127 specific bear locations
All Lodging, food, guides, daily bush flights, daily maid service and waders are included
Small group with a maximum of 4-6 guests
Expert photographic instruction and coaching
Magnificent Scenery and Wonderful Image-making
Lodge-based trips will visit Brooks Falls at least once. Camping trips will have the option to visit Brooks Falls
🐾 Alaska’s Ultimate Grizzly Bear Photo Safari
Welcome to the edge of the wild — a remote village on the north shore of Lake Iliamna, Alaska’s largest lake, where 18 million acres of untamed wilderness stretch in every direction. Accessible only by plane, this gem lies between Katmai and Lake Clark National Parks, and it’s home to a family-run lodge that offers one thing, and one thing only: the most exhilarating Grizzly Bear photography experience in Alaska.
This is not a mass-market adventure company. It’s not a hunting/fishing lodge moonlighting as a photo tour. This is the real deal — Alaska’s Bear Experts, guiding photographers since 1978.
✈️ Into the Wild, Every Day
Each morning begins with a hearty, home-cooked breakfast before you lift off in a bush plane bound for bear country. With access to over 127 remote locations, your guides will take you where the action is — salmon-choked streams where Grizzlies thunder through the water in pursuit of their catch. You’ll be right there at water level, waders on, camera ready, capturing the raw power and grace of these magnificent animals. You will also witness bears playing on the open tundra with spectacular mountain backdrops.
🐻 Up Close, Safely
Every bear has its own comfort zone, and your seasoned guides know exactly how close is safe. Most days, you’ll photograph close enough to feel the energy, far enough to respect their space. Sometimes, bears will wander even closer, focused entirely on fishing, oblivious to your presence. Your guide carries bear spray and a firearm, but their greatest tool is extensive experience.
📸 What to Expect
Daily bush flights into untouched wilderness
Streamside and in-stream shooting for dramatic water-level shots
Waders provided to keep you warm and dry
Moderate physical activity: expect to walk up to 5 miles a day
Terrain: rocky creeks, uneven ground
Typical temperatures: 50–65°F
🍽️ Evenings to Remember
After a day of adrenaline and awe, return to the lodge for a spectacular meal and stories around the table. This is more than a trip — it’s a deep dive into the heart of Alaska, where every day brings new encounters, unforgettable images, and the kind of adventure that stays with you forever.
ITINERARY - ALASKA GRIZZLY PHOTO SAFARI
Day 1
Depart Anchorage for the Lodge. Upon arrival we will be welcomed with a meal and a briefing in order to prepare for first outing the following day
Day 2-5
Our days start with a wonderful family-style breakfast followed by a “fly-out” to photograph bears all day. We return to the lodge in the evening for a hot meal and rest for the next day.
Day 5
Depart the Lodge for Anchorage.
Depending upon arrival time at the Lodge on Day 1, either Day 1 or Day 5 will be full day of photography
ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD
The main lodge is on the shore of Lake Iliamna and is your gathering place. With a 180 degree panoramic view of Alaska's largest lake and the glacial filled mountains of the Alaska Peninsula, you'll enjoy the warmth and atmosphere around the stone fireplace reliving the day's adventure We’ll also be able review images on a large screen TV, play pool, and plan the next day’s adventures. There are 6 comfortable guest cabins, each with a private bathroom and unlimited hot water. There are 2 full-sized beds in each cabin and you should expect double occupancy. Powered by a small hydro project, the cabins have full-time electricity…to charge batteries, use a hair dryer or power a CPAP machine all night.
There is now a second lodge that accommodates additional guests and serves as the gathering place for hearty breakfasts and excellent dinners. Our group will stay in one of the lodges rather than being split up. A maximum of 18 guests will be at the 2 lodges during any one time. The dynamics of a small, personalized operation allows the lodge to customize each day's activities to best accommodate its guests.
The lodge has a long standing reputation for excellence in dining. Meals are prepared fresh daily under the experienced eye of the chef. The lodge can cater to both meat lovers and vegetarians. If you have special dietary needs please let me know, at least 3 weeks before your arrival, so that all supplies are on hand to meet your needs.
GETTING AROUND
Most traveling is undertaken by aircraft each day. The Lodge owns a total of 8 aircraft: 3 DeHavlland Beavers on floats, One Cessna 206 on floats, One Cessna 185, 2 Piper Super Cubs on 35” tundra tires and a Pilatus PC-12 used as an air taxi.
The aircraft are always standing by to fly yout to over 127 different locations. You will have exclusive use of the aircraft that are always waiting with you at your chosen photographic destination.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
You should be able to climb into and out of a small plane or float plane. You should be able to walk as much as 5 miles per day over uneven terrain. The walking is generally level, with minimal elevation changes. Not all destinations will require this amount of walking, but getting to the best bear activity can sometimes require this amount of walking. You should also be comfortable with walking through shallow, moving water that has a gravel/rock base (you will be wearing provided waders) . Guests must complete a standard liability waiver upon arrival at the lodge.
SPECIAL CAMPING TRIPS - Occasionally offered or upon request
If you want a truly amazing and immersive experience, join me on a camping adventure. We will tent-camp at a location that has the best bear activity at the time. There’s no need to worry, however, the bears are super highly focused on eating salmon and have an overabundance of it everywhere. We are not a threat to them or their foodsources and the bears generally ignore our presence. We are also not a foodsource for them. Our campsite will also be protected by an electric bear-fence.
Our campsite will be equipped with everything we need. You just need to bring your own sleeping bag. There will be a 2-burner propane stove and oven on which we can heat up prepared meals or cook some fresh salmon. The cooler will be fully stocked with all kinds of goodies. I will also have battery packs to recharge our camera batteries.
TRIP DETAILS
Cost: $10,950
Includes:
Air transport between Anchorage and the lodge on a private plane is included.
Daily bush plane flights (float planes or tundra planes) to locations of the best bear activity
All Accommodation in double occupancy.. Early requests for single occupancy may be possible (additional fee).
3 outstanding meals per day, including a packed lunch for out in the field each day.
Option to visit the iconic Brooks Falls for at least one day
Professional bear guide with you at all times.
Expert photo coaching and image review sessions
Does Not Include:
Getting to and from Anchorage
Lodging in Anchorage
Gratuities
Insurances
Alcohol - you must bring your own as the lodge is in a dry village