Bear watching in Chilkoot Lake State Park

Question

I read through the other thread with the same name that's closed now. We're driving the Golden Circle Route in mid-July. I've read about seeing bears at Chilkoot Lake State Park, and looking at the map it looks like the Park would be a 10 mile detour off the Golden Circle Route - not that big a deal, but given that we plan on staying in Haines Junction later that night and there are no hotels along the way that I can find, I'm wondering if there are other locations along the Golden Circle route where our *chance* of seeing bears and bears feeding would as good as or better than at the Park?

Answer

Chilkoot Lake State Recreation Site, near Haines, is indeed one of the more reliable spots for bear viewing in mid-July, as salmon are often running and bears congregate along the streams and lake edges to feed. The park’s proximity to the Golden Circle route means it’s a relatively small detour, but as you noted, accommodations are limited along that stretch, so planning logistics is important.

If staying in Haines Junction is your goal and you want to maximize your chance of seeing bears without a major detour, here are some alternative locations along the Golden Circle Route and nearby areas where bear sightings are possible:

Pack Creek / Admiralty Island (Juneau region, slightly south of route): Known for high concentrations of brown bears, especially during salmon runs. Requires boat or small aircraft access, so more complicated logistically.
Chilkat River near Haines: This river corridor is famous for the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, but brown bears also feed along the river in summer. Stop at pullouts and viewing platforms; timing with salmon runs increases sightings.
Haines Highway / Lutak Inlet area: Along the road towards Haines, bears are sometimes seen foraging along creeks feeding into the inlet, especially early morning or evening.
Takhini River area near Haines Junction: While primarily known for moose and general wildlife, brown bears are occasionally seen along the river, though sightings are less predictable than near salmon streams.

Additional tips for bear viewing along the Golden Circle route:

Start early in the day; bears are most active during early morning and late evening.
Bring binoculars and keep a safe distance; never approach bears on foot.
Check with local visitor centers or rangers in Haines for recent bear sightings—they often provide the best up-to-date advice.
Patience and quiet observation are key—sometimes bears are visible from the road if you’re lucky.

In summary, Chilkoot Lake State Park remains one of the top options for consistent bear viewing along this route due to salmon availability. However, if you want to minimize detours, the Chilkat River corridor and areas along Haines Highway offer additional opportunities, though sightings are less guaranteed. Balancing your travel schedule with bear-viewing timing will increase your chances.

Bear watching in Chilkoot Lake State Park

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