Alaska Bears & Red Fish Camp 5
Photograph bears fishing during the salmon run
- Best location to photograph brown bears fishing for salmon
- See up to 40 bears each day
- Stay in our private camp for maximum bear interactions
- 5 days, 4 nights (3 full days, 2 half days)
- Expert guides and safety-focused experience
Join us in the wild heart of Alaska, where brown bears gather by the dozens to fish for red salmon. We take you out from sunrise to sunset to capture National Geographic-worthy moments as these magnificent animals dive, splash, and catch fish right in front of you. Our private wilderness camp offers unmatched access—far from the crowds and surrounded by the raw beauty of Alaska. Guided by seasoned bear experts, you’ll experience safe, expertly managed encounters that let you fully immerse yourself in the wild and focus on creating extraordinary images. This is more than a tour—it’s an experience that will stay with you forever.
Dates: Aug 12-16, 2026 (waitlist)
Leaders: TBD
Group Size: 7
Price: $5,695 USD
Accommodation: Camping
Start/End: Iliamna, Alaska
Fitness Level: Moderate
Interested? Contact us now
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REASONS TO CHOOSE THIS TOUR
Brown Bears Fishing for Red Salmon: This tour will change you and transform the way you see bears in the wild. Their raw power, intelligence, and playful curiosity will stay with you long after you leave Alaska.
Expert Bear Guides: For over five years, we’ve immersed ourselves in this remote Alaskan wilderness, learning every hidden stream, trail, and salmon run. With our expertise, you’ll enjoy safe, expertly managed encounters and be perfectly positioned for the best shot.
Spectacular Alaskan Scenery: Capture bears against a backdrop of towering, snow-capped peaks and pristine wilderness vistas. Every frame tells a story of wild Alaska at its most dramatic and beautiful.
Photography Focus: We are the only tour operator that gets you out at sunrise and stays out until sunset. Maximizing your time with the bears is our top priority, ensuring every moment is an opportunity for breathtaking photography.
Conservation in Action: A portion of every tour supports the Alaska Wildlife Alliance, helping protect these incredible bears and the pristine ecosystems they call home for generations to come.
ITINERARY
The tour begins in Iliamna, Alaska. We’ll assist you in arranging your flight from Anchorage, and you’ll fly directly to camp on the same day.
Aug 11 • Arrive in Anchorage, Alaska
We recommend arriving at least a day early to ensure a smooth start. Please note that accommodation in Anchorage is not included in the tour price.
Aug 12 • Flight to Camp
Your journey starts in the morning with a 75-minute flight to Lake Iliamna, which we’ll help you arrange. From there, the tour begins as you’re flown on a quick 20-minute trip to our exclusive Katmai Bear & Red Fish Camp. Upon arrival, we’ll conduct a camp orientation and bear safety briefing. Then, it’s time to hit the field and start photographing bears for the rest of the day.
Aug 13-15 • Full Days of Bear Photography
For the next three days, it’s all about capturing stunning images of brown bears. We’ll start early and stay out late to make sure you get the best possible photos. These full days of bear photography are designed to immerse you in the experience, maximizing your time in the field.
Aug 16 • Return to Anchorage
We’ll wake early for our final morning of bear viewing before departing the camp. Our floatplane is scheduled for a midday pickup, though this may change due to weather. Your return flight from Iliamna is expected to arrive in Anchorage around 5pm. Please be aware that severe weather may occasionally delay departure by a day, so plan your onward travel accordingly.
King Salmon
WHAT’s INCLUDED?
• Bear guiding
• Return flight from Iliamna to camp
• All meals and drinks
• All camping gear
WHAT’s NOT INCLUDED?
• Round-trip flight to Iliamna (~$650)
• Accommodations before/after the tour
• Travel medical insurance (required)
THE CAMP
Our Alaska Bear & Red Fish Camp is designed for comfort and safety, even in the remote wilderness. Since there are no lodges in this location, we fly everything in and out by floatplane. Guests stay in extra heavy duty, three to four person expedition tents designed to handle any weather Alaska can throw at us. Everyone has their own tent for privacy and space. To prioritize your safety, the camp is secured with a double-laced electric fence, providing peace of mind while you’re surrounded by these incredible bears. We also serve hearty meals to keep you energized for long days in the field. While our camp may not offer the luxuries of a lodge, we more than make up for it with the incredible, close-up bear encounters that happen every day. Being stationed here allows us to capture bears during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset, giving you unbeatable photography opportunities.
REQUIRED FITNESS LEVEL
We typically cover 6–10 miles (10–16 km) each day, pausing frequently to photograph bears and take in the stunning Alaskan scenery. The terrain can be uneven, and we cross the creek multiple times daily, so good balance and confidence navigating water are essential. You’ll also need to carry your camera backpack with you, along with plenty of water and snacks to stay energized throughout the day. Our team is there to support you every step of the way, ensuring the experience is both safe and enjoyable. We want you to have time to catch your breath, fully absorb the wild surroundings, and immerse yourself in one of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences.
FOOD
Since all supplies must be flown in and out, our food options are somewhat limited, but we take pride in making every meal enjoyable. We provide high-quality backpacker meals that have improved significantly in recent years—nutritious, filling, and designed to give you plenty of energy for long days in the field. In addition, we supply an abundance of snacks to keep you fueled between adventures, along with a few tasty surprises to make mealtime more fun. We can also accommodate dietary restrictions, so please let us know in advance if you have any preferences or requirements, and we’ll do our best to ensure your meals meet your needs.
PHOTO GALLERY
Best photos from 2024
Best photos from 2023
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many brown bears will I see?
We typically see beween 20-40 brown bears each day, including many cubs.
What other wildlife will I see?
We are likely to encounter ptarmigans, mergansers, northern harrier hawks, harlequin ducks, a variety of small shorebirds, a few bald eagles, and more seagulls than you can imagine. In 2024, we also spotted a distant caribou and, in another area, a wolf far off in the distance for a fleeting moment.
What will the weather be like?
In the summer, Katmai National Park experiences cool to mild temperatures ranging from 40°F (4°C) to 70°F (21°C) or higher, with the frequent possibility of rainfall. Given its high latitude, the park enjoys extended daylight hours, with approximately 16 hours of daylight during the tour.
How do I get to Iliamna?
We will assist in arranging your commercial flight from Anchorage to Lake Iliamna, with round-trip airfare typically ranging from $600 to $750.
Are there luggage weight restrictions?
Since everything must be flown in and out by float planes, limiting weight is a top priority. We ask that you pack 50 lbs or less, including the weight of your waders, to ensure we stay within the limits. Please leave laptops behind as they’re heavy, and we won’t have the power to charge them. A laptop will be available to back up your images if you need to clear memory space.
For essentials, bring your camera gear, chest waders, wading boots, rain gear, a few changes of clothes, and toiletries. A duffel bag is required over a hard suitcase—it’s flexible, easier to manage in different conditions, and compresses better to fit in tight spaces.
If you have extra items that aren’t necessary during parts of the trip, the float plane office provides convenient storage. This allows you to streamline your gear and carry only what you truly need while keeping the rest safe and accessible.
What focal range do you recommend?
Every focal range from 24-600mm can be of value. The wider perspectives are great to showcase thee incredible mountain scenery around the bears. Tighter compositions work great for portraits and for those times when we are further away. There are so many compositional possibilities that having a variety of focal length options will serve you well.
What's the bathroom situation?
There is a dedicated bathroom tent with a portable toilet device.
Will there be cell service or WiFi at the camp?
No, there is no connectivity in this location. However, each guide has a Garmin inReach satellite communication device which allows you to communicate with your loved ones back home.
More Questions?
Send us an email and we’ll be happy to arrange a time to chat through everything with you and answer any questions you may have.
MEET YOUR GUIDES
Zac Mills
I first visited Bear Camp on a trip that completely changed the direction of my life and inspired the creation of The Wildlife Collective. I’ve had the privilege of guiding here ever since, and every season feels just as magical. There’s nowhere else like this place: the raw beauty of Alaska, the freedom to roam alongside wild bears, and the heart-pounding moments when salmon fill the rivers and the entire ecosystem comes alive. I love these bears deeply, their power, their personalities, and their quiet moments of connection. I can’t wait to share their world with you and show you why this is one of the most extraordinary wildlife experiences on Earth.
Katie Yarnell
Katie believes stories found in the wild stay with people long after the journey ends. A former aerospace engineer, she thrives in unpredictable terrain, bringing calm focus, technical skill, and a bold sense of adventure to every tour. Her work has taken her from the Arctic’s polar bears to Africa’s big cats, always aiming to inspire curiosity, connection, and action for conservation. With quick wit and warm humor, Katie elevates experiences that leave guests feeling present, confident, and deeply connected to the wild.
JOIN US FOR A TRIP OF A LIFETIME!
Why Our Photo Tours Are Different
Experience
The essence of life lies in its experiences, and it is our unwavering mission to gift you the very best of them. We strive to craft our tours with care and authenticity, making each adventure a vibrant chapter in the story of your life.
Conservation
All of our tours have a conservation focus. We will learn about the challenges facing our primary subject and ongoing conservation work. Plus, every tour makes a donation to a conservation partner.
Locations
We take you to the world’s most amazing wilderness destinations, carefully selected for their unparalleled beauty and chosen based on our commitment to providing guests with the very best wildlife experiences.
Photography Focus
We welcome all levels of photography and provide optional photography sessions before, during, and after the tour. With our hands on learning, you are going to leave our tour as a better photographer. Ask us anything at anytime!
Small Groups
We believe that small groups give the best wildlife expereinces. We do not exceed 6 clients per guide, and in most tours, the ratio will be even smaller. This ensures that you get the personalized attention that you deserve.
Best Guides
We work with the world’s best wildlife guides, who also happen to be our good friends. They are experienced, keep us safe, and put us in the best possible position to have the best wildlife experience.