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Chinitna Bay Bear Viewing

Chinitna Bay/Silver Salmon

(Lake Clark National Park)

Alaska is world-renowned for giving visitors an up-close and personal experience with majestic Coastal Brown Bears. 98% of our country’s brown bears live in Alaska and hundreds of these incredible animals live right across from Homer on the West side of Cook Inlet. We are proud to offer our guests the opportunity to fly by wheeled bush plane into the heart of Lake Clark National Parks to spend the day watching these great animals. Chinitna Bay and Silver Salmon Creek offer incredible opportunities to observe bears ranging from 800 to 1200 lbs. in their natural environment. After a short safety briefing, you’ll put on a pair of waterproof hip boots and climb aboard one of our bush planes. Many customers have commented that the flight alone from Homer into Bear Country was worth the price of admission. Your route will take you across Cook Inlet and around Mt. Iliamna volcano covered with snow, glaciers, and sulpher steaming vents. We'll follow the shoreline where you’ll land on long sandy beaches. From there, you and your trained guide will hike into the backcountry for a photo safari where the incredible scenery and wildlife around every corner will take your breath away. Watch Coastal Brown Bears dig for clams, graze on sedge grasses, and establish dominance. Later in the season, you'll observe momma bears teaching new cubs how to catch salmon in the river. Spend the day with us in the heart of bear country and make Alaska size memories that will last a lifetime!

What to Expect:

Fly our de Havilland Turbo Beaver or Cessna 206 on 35" tundra bushwheels to land on the beach across Cook Inlet!
Our Turbo aircraft are faster (more time with the bears), safer, and quieter
Intercom with noise cancelling headsets provided (talk to the pilot and each other during the flight)
Hip boots are provided depending on location
Beautiful aerial views of active volcanoes, rugged mountains, and wildlife-filled coastlines
Chinitna and/or Silver Salmon Creek are roughly a 45 minute flight each direction
Total trip length 5-6 hours including flights
2-3 guided hours on the ground with the bears
Full camera cards and big smiles with an unforgettable day in remote Alaska
Small groups guided by your pilot
Bears digging clams on the beach, eating Sedge grasses, and berries
Capacity: up to 15 seats
Trip Price: $895.00 per person

(plus taxes, park fees, fuel surcharge)

*3% processing fee will be applied to all credit card payments. Wire transfers and checks accepted.

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Why Turbine Planes?

Higher Power-to-Weight Ratio:
- Turbine Engines' Power Output: Turbine bush planes typically feature turbine engines that offer a superior power-to-weight ratio compared to piston engines. This results in better takeoff performance, especially in challenging conditions such as short or high-elevation airstrips common in Alaska. The enhanced power allows turbine bush planes to operate efficiently even with heavy loads, making them well-suited for transporting cargo and passengers in the rugged Alaskan wilderness.
Greater Reliability and Durability:
- Simplified Mechanical Structure: Turbine engines have fewer moving parts than traditional piston engines, leading to increased reliability and reduced maintenance requirements. In the harsh and remote conditions of Alaska, where access to maintenance facilities may be limited, the simplicity of turbine engines becomes a significant advantage. Turbine bush planes can withstand the challenges of rough landings, extreme weather, and extended operation without the same level of wear and tear experienced by piston engines, contributing to higher overall durability.
Improved High-Altitude Performance:
- Consistent Power at Altitude: Turbine engines maintain consistent power output at higher altitudes, making them well-suited for the mountainous terrain of Alaska. As bush planes often need to navigate over mountain ranges and glaciers, the ability to operate effectively at high altitudes is crucial. Turbine engines deliver reliable performance in these conditions, ensuring that pilots have the power needed for safe takeoffs and climbs, even in the challenging topography of the Alaskan wilderness

Lake Clark National Park (Chinitna Bay - Location)

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is an American national park in southwest Alaska, about 100 miles (160 km) southwest of Anchorage. The park was first proclaimed a national monument in 1978, then established as a national park and preserve in 1980 by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. The park includes many streams and lakes vital to the Bristol Bay salmon fishery, including its namesake Lake Clark. A wide variety of recreational activities may be pursued in the park and preserve year-round. The park protects rainforests along the coastline of Cook Inlet, alpine tundra, glaciers, glacial lakes, major salmon-bearing rivers, and two volcanoes, Mount Redoubt and Mount Iliamna. Mount Redoubt is active, erupting in 1989 and 2009. The wide variety of ecosystems in the park mean that virtually all major Alaskan animals, terrestrial and marine, may be seen in and around the park. Salmon, particularly sockeye salmon, play a major role in the ecosystem and the local economy. The Kvichak River is the world's most productive watershed for sockeye salmon. Large populations of brown bears are attracted to feed on the spawning salmon in the Kijik River and at Silver Salmon Creek. Bear watching is a common activity in the park.