Bear viewing site
Chilkoot River Bear Viewing
Roadside brown bear viewing on the Chilkoot River at the end of Lutak Road, mid-June to October, peaking in July and August.
Chilkoot Lake State Recreation Site · Alaska State Parks
- Season months
- Jun–Oct
- Bear species
- Brown bear
- Peak months
- Jul–Aug
- Viewing type
- Roadside
- Access modes
- Road
- Safety rules
- Leave the far riverbank to bears; stop fishing if a bear is in the area; keep fish and food secured; never feed or attract bears.
Road
The Chilkoot River, which flows from Chilkoot Lake into Lutak Inlet, is one of the most easily reached bear viewing spots in Southeast Alaska. Salmon runs draw brown bears from mid-June to October, with July and August the peak months; bears also fish along the lake shore. River otters and harbor seals follow salmon upstream at high tide. Watch from the road edge or your vehicle, leave the far bank to the bears, never block the road and stop fishing if a bear comes near.
In pictures
Wildlife viewing · Bear viewing · Photography
Sources
- Alaska State Parks, SoutheastAlaska DNR
- Chilkoot Lake State Recreation SiteAlaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation · Accessed 2026-11-10
- Welcome to the Chilkoot River CorridorAlaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation · Accessed 2026-11-10
- Haines Wildlife Viewing: Chilkoot RiverAlaska Department of Fish and Game · Accessed 2026-11-10
Last updated 2026-11-13