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Chinitna Bay: A Bear Viewing Paradise

Nestled on the western shores of Cook Inlet and on the southern end of Lake Clark National Park, your trip to Bear Mountain Lodge offers an incredible opportunity to witness Alaskan brown bears in their natural habitat. Chinitna Bay is known for its abundant bear population, particularly during the summer months when the tidal flats and meadows provide ample feeding grounds. Depending on the season, you might see bears digging for clams, grazing on sedge grasses, or fishing for salmon in the nearby streams. Observing these magnificent animals up close in their natural environment is a humbling and awe-inspiring experience.

The Chinitna Bay bear viewing tour is our first bear viewing tour to operate for the season, starting May 15 and running until August 31 giving early season visitors a chance to see Alaska’s incredible wildlife.

The Journey Begins: Scenic Flights Over Alaska’s Wild Beauty

Your Chinitna Bay bear viewing day tour starts with a breathtaking flight from our home base at Lake Hood in Anchorage. As you soar above the Alaskan wilderness, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of rugged mountains and sparkling glaciers. Witness the volcanic peaks of Mt. Redoubt and Mt Iliana and the tidal flats of Cook Inlet. All the while you’ll be able to chat with your pilot about the history and geology of the landscape using our two way headsets. The scenic flight alone is an experience worth savoring, setting the tone for an unforgettable day as you fly along Cook Inlet to reach the outskirts of Lake Clark National Park.

Bear Viewing: Bear Mountain Lodge Experience

After your 90 minute scenic flight, you’ll reach a beautiful coastal landing strip and your pilot will land on the beach in a wheeled plane right outside of Bear Mountain Lodge. Stepping onto the sand, you’ll be greeted by the friendly faces of the lodge staff who will guide you into the main building for a bear safety briefing with snacks. The video ensures you’re well-prepared for the wildlife encounter ahead.

Once the briefing is complete, you’ll board a comfortable shuttle for a short ride along the beach. As the journey unfolds, keep your eyes peeled for brown bears roaming their natural habitat. Your guide will assess the bear activity and bring you to a location nearby with the best chance of seeing wildlife!

For the next few hours, you’ll have the unforgettable opportunity to watch the bears up close—whether they’re fishing for salmon, digging for clams, or foraging in the grass. Surrounded by the stunning beauty of Chinitna Bay and the towering peaks of the surrounding mountains, it’s an experience that feels truly immersive.

As your time with the bears comes to an end, you’ll return to the warm hospitality of Bear Mountain Lodge. After farewells to your hosts, you’ll board the plane for the return flight to Anchorage. Awaiting you on your seat is a thoughtfully packed snack bag including Alaskan sausage, chips from Alaska chip co., cookies, and fruit, perfect for your flight back to Lake Hood as you reflect on the incredible day.

What to Expect on Your Day Trip

• Departure: Your day begins at Lake Hood Seaplane Base in Anchorage, where you’ll meet your pilot and receive a trip briefing.
• Scenic Flight: Enjoy a roughly 90 minute flight to Chinitna Bay with commentary highlighting the natural features below.
• Bear Viewing: Upon arrival, you’ll spend several hours in prime viewing locations, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide who enhances the experience with insights about bear behavior and the local ecosystem.
• Return Journey: After a day of unforgettable sights and sounds, you’ll take to the skies once more for your return flight to Anchorage.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Trip

1. Dress Appropriately: Layers are essential in Alaska’s variable weather. Bring waterproof outerwear and sturdy footwear for walking on tidal flats.
2. Pack Essentials: A camera, binoculars, sunscreen, and insect repellent are must-haves for this trip.
3. Follow Instructions: Listen to your guide’s advice and maintain a respectful distance from the wildlife to ensure your safety and the bears’ comfort.

Why Choose Rust’s Flying Service?

With over 60 years of experience, Rust’s Flying Service is a trusted name in Alaska aviation. Our commitment to safety, personalized service, and unforgettable experiences has made us a favorite among locals and visitors alike. When you choose Rust’s for your Chinitna Bay bear viewing adventure, you’re not just booking a tour—you’re embarking on a journey with a team that shares your passion for Alaska’s wild beauty. Rust’s Flying Service takes pride in adhering to responsible wildlife viewing practices. Guests are guided to designated viewing areas that ensure a safe and respectful distance from the bears, allowing you to observe their behavior without disrupting their routines.

Book Your Adventure Today

Chinitna Bay Bear Viewing Day Tour from Anchorage

When: May 15 – August 31st

Cost: $1095 per person + 3% transportation tax

Trip Time: 6 hours

Departure Times: 7:30am and 2:00pm

Activity Level: Moderate – some walking on unpaved terrain

Chinitna Bay Bear Viewing

Hello there! Sarah here, Media Manager for Rust’s Flying Service and K2 Aviation with 14 years’ experience as a professional photographer. We frequently receive questions about camera equipment and settings for our bear viewing tours and I’d like to offer some insight on gear that works best for capturing the incredible wildlife experiences we offer.

Embarking on a bear-viewing adventure in Alaska is an unforgettable experience, and capturing these impressive creatures in their natural habitat requires a mix of skill and the right photography gear. Choosing a camera and lens combination or a well equipped mobile phone for aviation assisted bear photography means balancing portability and weight, as well as ensuring durability for Alaska’s sometimes harsh weather conditions. Many of our guests, armed with just their smartphones, capture amazing memories on our tours. While a dedicated camera can elevate your photography, you don’t need professional equipment to enjoy the experience.

Best Camera Types for Bear Viewing

In photography, there’s a popular saying: the best camera is the one you have with you. A shot with any camera is better than not capturing it at all. I’d take it a step further and say that the best camera is one you’re comfortable using. Bringing gear you’re unfamiliar with can cost you precious moments as you fumble with settings. My advice? Stick to the camera you know and are confident shooting with—it’s the surest way to make the most of every opportunity!

When it comes to capturing Alaska’s bears, you’ll want a camera that performs well in low light, has rapid focusing capabilities, and can capture sharp, detailed images from a distance.

• Mirrorless Cameras are compact and lightweight, making them a favorite for wildlife photography. They excel in speed, ISO, and quiet shooting modes, an important feature to minimize disturbance to wildlife. Mirrorless is my personal choice in camera using the Sony A7R V.
• DSLR Cameras are known for their reliability and robust build, often favored by photographers working in rugged conditions. These cameras tend to have a larger body with more weight.
• Point and Shoot Cameras can be excellent tools for wildlife photography in the right circumstances. These compact cameras are lightweight and easy to handle. Look for models with a powerful zoom lens, as they allow you to capture detailed shots from a safe distance. However, they do have some drawbacks. Their smaller sensors often struggle in low-light conditions, which can be common in Alaska’s overcast environments, leading to grainy or less-detailed images. The zoom capabilities, while useful, may lack the reach or clarity of professional telephoto lenses, making it challenging to capture distant wildlife sharply.
• Mobile Phones have significantly increased in quality and resolution throughout the years allowing you to control settings such as aperture and shutter speeds as well as shoot in RAW! You can now also purchase removable lenses to increase zoom. While mobile phones can never compete with the sensor sizes and full setting control of the mirrorless and DSLR cameras, they are a great option to relax and enjoy the experience while not having to lug around an extra bag of heavy gear.

Lake Clark Bear Viewing

Best Lenses for Bear Photography

Since bear-viewing is often done from a distance, a telephoto lens is essential for both safety and quality close-ups. Here’s a look at some of the best lens options.

Telephoto Zoom Lenses

Telephoto zoom lenses are essential for capturing bears safely from a distance, making them perfect for our Chinitna Bay Bear Viewing tour, where bears are often seen roaming grassy fields. A recommended range is 200-600mm, allowing for intimate shots that showcase the bear’s personality while keeping a safe distance. My personal choice is a 70-400mm lens for its versatility—it lets me frame the entire scene or zoom in for detailed close-ups. These lenses provide enough reach to capture stunning images without compromising safety and are still portable enough for backcountry adventures. However, remember that longer focal lengths require more stability, so bringing a tripod is a smart idea.

For those who shoot in low light or want added stability shooting handheld, look for a lens with vibration reduction. This feature helps reduce camera shake, making it easier to capture steady, clear images.

Lake Clark Bear Viewing

Prime Telephoto Lenses

For ultimate clarity and detail, prime lenses are fantastic, though they’re less versatile in length. These lenses are perfect for our Katmai Bear Viewing tour particularly at Brooks Falls where the bears tend to stand in one spot fishing for long periods of time.

A 600mm prime telephoto lens is a powerful choice for wildlife photography, offering exceptional image quality and incredible reach. However, these lenses often come with a high price tag, making them ideal investments for seasoned photographers seeking professional-grade results. You can also rent lenses for travel to cut down on the investment.

For those wanting high clarity and sharpness without breaking the bank, a 400mm or 500mm prime lens can also be excellent options. They offer impressive detail while being slightly lighter and more manageable, providing flexibility and reliability for capturing wildlife in action.

Redoubt Bay Bear Viewing

Wide-Angle Lenses for Environment Shots

While telephotos are best for close-ups, a wide-angle lens can be great for capturing the landscape along with the animals. Our Lake Clark Bear viewing tour has incredible mountain scenes that would be perfectly captured with a wide angle lens.

A 16-35mm wide-angle lens is perfect for capturing expansive, scenic shots, allowing you to frame both the bears and the stunning Alaskan landscape in a single shot. Lightweight and often weather-sealed, lenses in this range are built to withstand outdoor conditions and offer sharpness across the frame, making them great for immersive, environmental photography. Bringing multiple length lenses will also be benefit on the flight to your bear viewing location. You are not going to want to miss out on the vast scenery of Alaska seen aerially from your flight.

Lake Clark Bear Viewing

Chinitna Bay Bear Viewing

Camera Accessories for Bear Photography

• Tripod or Monopod: A lightweight, sturdy tripod or monopod stabilizes your setup, reducing blur from camera shake, especially with telephoto lenses. Carbon fiber options are particularly suited for backcountry photography as they’re light and robust. There are also some really great tripods out there for mobile phones!
• Teleconverter: If you already have a telephoto lens but want extra reach, a teleconverter can extend your focal length, like a 1.4x or 2x for additional zoom.
• Waterproof Covers: Alaska’s weather can be unpredictable. Keeping your gear dry with a good waterproof cover is essential.
• Memory Cards: You are going to find yourself taking a lot of photos on this tour and you will run out of storage quick, especially if you are shooting continuous or in RAW. I would recommend bringing at least two 128GB cards but the more storage space the better!
• Batteries: On an half day bear viewing I end up going through at least two batteries. I always make sure to bring three or four as backup.

Lake Clark Bear Viewing

Settings and Techniques for Capturing Bears in the Wild

These days, even mobile phones allow you to adjust your settings! To bring out the best in your gear, consider these techniques:

• Use a Fast Shutter Speed: Bears can move unpredictably, so a shutter speed of at least 1/1000 sec is ideal for capturing action shots and water droplets from bears splashing. A fast shutter speed is a must on our Redoubt Bay Bear viewing tour where you’ll find the bears shaking off water around the lake.
• Opt for Silent Shutter Mode: Some cameras offer a silent or electronic shutter mode that reduces noise, helping you avoid disturbing the bears.
• Adjust ISO Carefully: In low-light conditions, increase your ISO but keep an eye on noise. Modern mirrorless and DSLR cameras often handle ISO well up to 3200 or even 6400 with minimal noise.
• Use Continuous Shooting Mode: This is a must for fast moving bears to ensure you haven’t missed a moment. This mode takes images continuously at the camera’s maximum speed while the shutter button is held down. My Sony A7R V can shoot up to 10 frames per second.

Redoubt Bay Bear Viewing

Final Thoughts on Choosing Your Gear

Bear viewing is both thrilling and unpredictable, and a well-chosen gear setup can help you capture the majesty of these animals in a way that does the experience justice. Consider a mirrorless option for portability, a DSLR for durability, or a mobile phone with detachable lens for convenience.

Renting or investing in quality gear can make all the difference, ensuring that you capture your Alaskan adventure with precision, clarity, and respect for the wildlife. With the right equipment in hand and the knowledge of how to use them, you’ll be ready to create stunning, memory-worthy images of one of Alaska’s most iconic animals.