Photo Tour Location
The Katmai area was declared a National Monument in 1918. In 1980 the boundaries were greatly extended and the region declared a National Park and Preserve. At 4.2 million acres Katmai National Park stands as a sizable chunk of land set aside for the preservation of an amazing abundance of wildlife. Sovereign of which is the grand old Grizzly bear.
Katmai National Park and Preserve lies southwest of Anchorage on the Alaskan Peninsula and is arguably the greatest grizzly bear viewing and photography location in the world. The prodigious salmon runs attract and support a grizzly bear population density that is among the highest in the world.
It’s also among the safest places to photograph wild grizzly bears given their plentiful food sources and tolerance of human presence. The bears are generally extremely tolerant of people. This combined with the high bear population density (as many as 70-80 bears in the area) makes it possible to shoot literally thousands of photos in a few short days.
The beauty of a fall trip is that we get the place largely to ourselves. Along with dozens of bears, thousands of salmon, some bald eagles, the odd wolf, gulls, waterfowl, and assorted other wildlife.
Safety
Respect for the subject is absolute.
Your and the bears’ safety is paramount. We maintain a “safety-first” standard at all times. We have a thorough safety talk before the trip and closely adhere to the most current protocols on safe travel in bear country.
Safety-first means caution.
It means responsibility and it requires an excellent knowledge of the area: the terrain, wildlife, backcountry camping, etc.
We carry bear spray when in the field.
Your guide is also a certified Wilderness First Responder.
We make a concerted effort to not harass and/or disturb the wildlife. A smaller group size not only ensures you the photography opportunities you need but also that our group doesn’t bother the bears. We understand the difference between nature photographers and the paparazzi. We will neither approach too closely nor stay too long.
What The People Say
By keeping our group size small your trip remains about you and your photographic experience with the bears. Group size is restricted to 4 or 5 people (depending on circumstances). Exceptions will only be considered on a case by case basis.
I think group size is a critical part of the experience and don’t like to see hordes of photographers bunched around a subject, crowding and pushing for photos.
Less is more.
In order that we maximize your time in the park you will meet in King Salmon, Alaska and take a charter flight from there to our camp before lunchtime. It is critical you schedule your arrival in King Salmon the day before our trip begins (accommodation not included).
We’ll get a chance to shoot the first afternoon and evening, then have 5 more full days of shooting before our final night in camp. We then have a couple hours to shoot in the morning before a midday charter flight back to King Salmon.
It’s only a little more than a one hour commercial flight from King Salmon to Anchorage so most folks can be back in Anchorage that evening if they wish.
Expeditions Alaska provide high quality, comfortable tents and we will have an electric fence around the campsite. This trip will be outfitted completely. All camping gear will be furnished for you. You need to bring your personal gear (sleeping bag, clothes, etc, of course). We take care of food and shelter and have our own camp cook.
We’ll have solid, secure gear and food caches, plus weather-protected wooden shelters for inside dining in wet weather; even in harsh weather the camping is more than comfortable. If you need assistance with any gear, please don’t hesitate to ask. We also carry a satellite phone, as well as both First Aid and Basic Life Support kits.
I have almost 30 years experience photographing grizzly bears and many trips to Katmai National Park, as well as guiding extended remote wilderness backpacking trips. I work impossibly hard to ensure trip participants have a safe trip and a fantastic experience.
The advantages of being a local Alaska business include knowledge of the place; the relationships of the history, the geography and ecology of the area, promising trip participants a fascinating adventure.
I offer a first rate trip because we keep it small and maintain the utmost respect for the places we visit. This translates to an unforgettable photo tour that I’m more than sure you’ll absolutely love. Read more about me and Expeditions Alaska on the About page.
A Review
“Carl,
I think you have raised the bar for photographing bears with your tour. The experience of being with those magnificent creatures will last a lifetime. Everyday brought new and exciting opportunities, being in the water or on the river bank made it so much better. ….
Food was fantastic, meals were varied and delicious with an international flavor. The fresh fruit and vegetables were an added bonus. Meals were timely and the cook worked very hard at keeping everybody well fed and taken care of … knowledge added a great deal to the overall experience.
A fantastic experience that I would highly recommend.
Thanks” — Bob Schlatter, Sunny CA.
The Photography
This trip is perfect for the beginner to advanced or professional photographer looking for a small group to join for a week of concentrated grizzly bear photography. The photography requires some walking, so being in reasonable shape is important. Special attention is given to capturing unique and creative grizzly bear photos, so we make the extra effort to put ourselves in the best spots to shoot from.
By camping on site, we’re able to be in place to photograph during the best light; this isn’t a vacation and bear viewing trip, but a photography trip. Meals will be scheduled around our photography, ensuring we don’t miss any great light or bear action.
Carrying long telephoto lenses, plus other camera gear, we’ll walk several miles each day. It’s not hard work – but you’ll be tired at the end of a long day and ready for some great hot food and good times by the campfire.
Chest waders aren’t necessary. The bears spend a good deal of time in the water, but we can shoot comfortably from shore without entering the water. It’s a better overall experience, in my opinion, to visit this location without accessing the deep and strong current of the river.
2 camera bodies are optimal and you’ll also want to bring plenty of extra batteries, memory cards (or film), backup storage, warm clothing, rain gear, and a range of lens choices, from wide to telephotos. All that and a bundle of enthusiasm will make your trip a memorable and successful one.
See a whole of of helpful information on the photo tours FAQs page.
Watch A Video
Trip FAQs
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How far are we hiking on this photo tour?
An impossible question. Some days we might walk 5 or 6 miles, other days we might walk 1. Rarely would we cover more ground than this.
The hiking isn’t terribly difficult but can be slow going through forest and over the marshy ground near parts of the river.
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Tell me about the difficult level for this trip?
This one is very difficult to gauge for people. You need to be in decent shape and be comfortable carrying your gear.
You should have no mobility issues and be fine hiking several miles per day, as well wading (at times) into the river. It’s not terribly difficult but it’s also not for everyone.
We do this every day, and at times twice a day. So don’t overestimate your ability. You should be able to walk well.
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How about the bugs on this trip?
Mosquitoes are generally gone by the end of September. We do have small gnats known as White Socks which can be a pestilence.
Typically they’re few in number this late in the year, but that varies with the weather and other conditional factors. If you’re bug sensitive, be sure to bring a headnet. I’ve never needed one on this trip in over 25 years. Your mileage may vary.
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What focal length to bring?
I’m a big believer that you can never have too much focal length for wildlife photography. Big fast glass is still premium factor for wildlife photography.
My lens of choice is a 500mm F4 on a full-frame body, or a 80-400mm zoom on a crop favor body.
Bring a teleconverter.
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Safety concerns about bears?
Carl, your guide, is certified with Katmai Service Providers through their Guide Excellence program on safe and ethical bear viewing.
We adhere to best and current practices and protocols for bear viewing and bear photography. Katmai NP has long established regulations on bear viewing, and we stick to those at all times.
Move slowly and quietly, stick together in our group, maintain your situational awareness at all times, do not approach the animals and respect their body language.
Listen to your guide.
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Do we have access to recharge batteries?
Yes. It’s limited availability, but yes. Best practice is to attempt to bring enough battery power to last you the duration of your trip.
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Likely temperatures for this tour?
This is Alaska. End of September. The temperature can be down in the mid-high teens, or 60˚ F. It can rain, snow, hail, blow hard, or be calm and sunny and tranquil.
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Is one week preferable to another?
No. The two weeks are adjacent. I can’t think of a place in the world where one particular weeks reliably “better” than either the preceding or following week. It doesn’t work like that.
We’ve had great weather, great bear activity and great fun both weeks. We’ve also had slow times, drizzly cold spells and less fun on either week as well.
If one week were reliably awful, I’d no longer go that week and change my schedule.
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Tell Me About the Camping Setup on this trip
Each guest will have their own tent, unless you’re a couple, etc and have someone you wish to share with.
Tents are large teepee-style 5 person tents, so they’re spacious and comfortable.
We use premium Exped insulated sleeping pads which have been a great hit with everyone. They’re awesome.
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What might a typical menu look like for our bear camp photo tour?
It varies. We have a comprehensive food info form all guests complete and then we make decisions on what to prep based on the input we get from guests. Obviously some limitations will apply and we can’t meet all requests; but we do an excellent job of accommodating various food allergies and restrictions and diets, etc.
From 2025, a typical menu might include
Breakfast
- Hashbrowns with local AK eggs & bacon
- French toast with local sausage
- Local yogurt, fresh berries, granola
- Ham & cheese quiche
- Pumpkin date oatmeal
Lunch
- Lemon chicken orzo soup
- Turkey & Swiss wraps with fruit & chips
- AK brats, potato salad, pickles
- Greek quinoa salad
- Tortellini tomato soup
Dinner
- Carnitas tacos with rice & refried beans
- Lasagne w/ local beef
- Balsamic chicken w/ risotto & fresh green beans
- Beef teriyaki w/ jasmine rice & broccoli
- Shrimp curry w/ rice & veggies
You’ll eat well. Some folks even joke we should have our very own “Katmai Fat Bear Competition”.
Snacktime!
We call it “bearkfast”.
Cinnamon rolls.
Lasagna coming up!
Chicken stir fry.
Cheesecake.
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4 Different Brown Bear Tours; What are the differences?
Well, this could be quite a discussion. And it varies somewhat, year to year. Trips change and situations change really a bit more rapidly and frequently than you imagine. But this post will hopefully help clarify some of the differences between each of our brown bear tours a bit.
I’ll mention each trip and then outline a few of the factors unique to that trip as well as what some of the differences might be:
Alaska Brown Bears and Coastal Wildlife
The Brown Bears and Coastal Wildlife Tour is NOT a camping trip. On this tour we stay on board a 100′ boat and are well taken care of by Captain Johnny and his crew. Great people.
You can charge your batteries, laptop, etc as well as yourself on the comforts of Johnny’s boat.
We travel stretches of the Katmai Coast, going to shore each day to photograph the bears. We typically go to at least 2 or 3 different bays, but this does depend on weather, conditions, bear activity, etc, etc.
This trip we also aim to find some other creatures; primarily marine mammals like seals and sea otter, as well as eagles. We’ve had some decent luck with wolves on this tours as well. Superb backgrounds and mountain scenery.
Hiking and difficulty level is low. This trip works well for most folks, beginners to experienced, and you do not need to be in great shape.
Departs from and returns to Kodiak, AK.
Grizzlies in the Fall Tour
The Grizzlies in the Fall Tour is the most “luxurious of those, with (limited) National Park Service services available, and some infrastructure to help your comfort somewhat. An outhouse, covered shelters, etc. It’s pretty comfortable and easy camping conditions for just about anyone. Being later in the year it is likely to be the cooler of the tours.
We spend some time in the river, but due recent park service changes and increasing visitation levels we don’t do that as much as we used to.
This trip works great for instruction and learning photography. Non-hikers and those with mild mobility concerns will be OK on this trip. But you can expect to walk several miles each day. The walking is generally pretty decent (i.e., not challenging).
Great for bear portraits, cubs and great big fat bears.
Yes you can recharge you camera gear.
Excellent for camera and photography instruction and more of a workshop today.
Departs from and returns to King Salmon, AK.
Grizzlies in the Mist
The Grizzlies in the Mist Tour is as remote as remote gets, no infrastructure or services or facilities of any kind. Camping is primitive, not designated sites or anything. No outhouse, etc.
Photography is excellent. Shallow waters, smaller creeks and hungry bears combined with abundant spawning salmon equal excellent photo opportunities for bears chasing salmon. Very, very few people or plane traffic. Incredible mountain backdrops. Have had some luck with wolves on this trip, but not something I specifically promote it for. They’re a treat that appears as they choose.
Hiking is easy-moderate.
Coastal Alaska can be wet, and it can be cold; we’ve had frosts at least twice here.
You have to be battery power independent.
Departs from and returns to Homer, AK.
Brown Bears of Summer
The Bears of Summer Tour is another remote wilderness setting. No infrastructure of any kind.
The photography is great. Bears chasing salmon. Big bears, little bears, awesome backdrops and Alaska wilderness scenery.
More human traffic than the grizzlies in the mist trip. Mostly fishermen, but some bear viewing and photography tours as well. Camping is primitive.
Hiking is variable. It can work well for those a bit out of shape, but works really well if we have a group of people who can walk and be mobile. We may not have to, but it’s always nice to have that option.
Weather can be windy, but generally isn’t terribly cold.
Departs from and returns to King Salmon, AK.
General Brown bear photo tours
All these tours are in Katmai National Park. None of them involve backpacking with camping gear. All can be buggy, but generally none of them are even what I would call “moderate” for bugs. Everything’s relative though.
There’s no way this kind of short post can answer all your questions, but hopefully this outlines most of the significant differences between each of these brown bear photo tours.
If you want a deeper dive and comparison for our bear tours, you should definitely check out this page.
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What makes Expeditions Alaska Photo Tours so special?
Three big things set us apart.
I’ve been photographing Alaska’s wildlife for 30 years. Guiding photo tours since 2002. I live here year-round, which means deeper knowledge of locations, weather patterns, and wildlife behavior—plus the resources and flexibility to adapt when conditions change.
Does That Matter?
Absolutely. Weather in Alaska can be “Alaska”. You may get lucky and have a nice easy time of it. We all hope for that. But your photo tour is not the place or time to find out you have a guide who doesn’t really know s/he is doing. Whether it’s driving on ice for northern lights trips or dealing with crazy Alaska storms in the backcountry, it helps to have someone who’s been “in it” before and has some experience with this.
I limit tours to 5 photographers. You’re not fighting 10 other people for the same angle.
As a Wilderness First Responder with all required state licenses and National Park Service permits, safety and legal operation are non-negotiable. We’re also Gold Level certified by Adventure Green Alaska and contribute 5% of profits to conservation.
I photographed many of the same bears for over a decade before ever leading a tour to see them. That level of familiarity with both location and subject can’t be replicated by operators who fly in for the season.
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What’s Included/Not Included?
Some are hotel-based in Fairbanks, others involve camping at remote bear locations or chartering private boats.
- Professional guide service (25+ years experience, Wilderness First Responder certified)
- All accommodations (hotels, camping, or boat-based depending on trip)
- Safety equipment (satellite communication, comprehensive first aid)
- Photography instruction and field assistance
- All necessary permits and access fees
- Meals: Included on most bear tours and remote trips. Not included on hotel-based tours in Fairbanks or Haines where restaurants are available.
- Transportation: Bush flights, boat charters, and ground transport are included when required for the trip. Your flight to/from Alaska is not.
- Airfare to Alaska
- Alcohol
- Trip insurance (we recommend it and suggest you call Travelex.)
- Guide gratuities
- Personal and camera gear
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Cancellation policy
Reserving your place on a trip requires a 50% deposit. Deposits are non-refundable. All trips be paid in full 45 days prior to the scheduled departure date.
If the client cancels on a trip paid in full, 80% of the price can be deferred and applied to another trip that is scheduled to occur within the next 12 months, provided that all three of the following occurs:
i) Expeditions Alaska, LLC is able to fill the cancelled spot,
ii) Expeditions Alaska LLC is able to fill the the trip that the client cancelled on, and
iii) 30 days (or more) notice is given.If a client cancels a trip and Expeditions Alaska is not able to completely fill that trip, regardless of the number of original participants in that trip, Expeditions Alaska will not defer or refund any portion of the cancelling client’s payment.
Expeditions Alaska, LLC cannot guarantee that a spot will be available on a scheduled trip in the next 12 months. If no spot is available and you cannot use your deposit in those 12 months, the deposit is forfeited and non-refundable.
If cancellation is within 30 days of the trip, only 50% of the fee can be carried over to a future trip. The remainder is forfeited and non-refundable.
No refunds, credit, or other reimbursements are given for cancellations within 14 days of the trip departure.
Expeditions Alaska, LLC reserves the right to cancel and/or modify the itinerary of a trip for any reason. If Expeditions Alaska cancels a trip you will be refunded your payment in full, minus a $250 administrative fees plus any unrecoverable deposits Expeditions Alaska, LLC made to organize the trip. If Expeditions Alaska cancels changes the date of a trip and you can no longer attend, you will be refunded your payment, minus a $250 administrative fees plus any unrecoverable deposits Expeditions Alaska, LLC made to organize the trip.
If weather or other factors delay or impede your trip, there will be no refund of fees. Expeditions Alaska, LLC is not responsible for any other costs incurred by the client as a result of the cancellation, delay, or modification of a trip.
Additional costs incurred through weather delays and itinerary changes are the responsibility of the client.
Additional costs incurred by the client, such as changes to flights or additional costs, etc, are the sole responsibility of the client.
* May be Trip dependent. See trip details on each page regarding the terms for the photo tour you are interested in.
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I have more questions
I know you do. As well you should.
I recommend starting with the General Trip FAQ page
More questions? Email me or call me if you like.
Upon your reservation I’ll send out a comprehensive trip information packet that covers just about everything and more you might imagine about your trip.
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