McNeil River State Game Sanctuary

McNeil River State Game Sanctuary - Bethel, AK

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McNeil River State Game Sanctuary

GPS Coordinates: Unknown

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The largest known gathering of brown bears in the world happens at McNeil River. Visitors get an unparalleled opportunity to watch the bears mating, fighting, playing, and feeding. In early July, chum salmon return to the river to spawn. A series of cascading rapids and pools slows the migration of the salmon and makes them easy prey for hungry bears.

More than 100 bruins use the area during the peak of the run in late July. Earlier in the season, red salmon return to adjacent Mikfik Creek, and up to 25 bears are there, plunging into the cold water in pursuit of the darting fish. Visitors may also see harbor seals, moose, red fox, and a great diversity of birds, including cormorants, harlequin ducks, bald eagles, glaucous gulls, and songbirds.

Facilities: When visiting McNeil River, guests must have complete camping gear, as there are no commercial facilities available.

Best Time To Visit: Depending on Mother Nature, this attraction is usually open from the beginning of July through late August.

Fees: The user fee for a 4-day Guided Viewing Permit is $150 for Alaska residents and $350 for non-Alaska residents. The user fee for a 4-day Camp-Standby Viewing Permit is $75 for Alaska residents and $175 for non-Alaska residents.

Accessibility: Unknown

Rules: Because this is bear country, there are a variety of rules that concern your safety. Please contact the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary for more detailed information.

Directions: Although the sanctuary is accessible by boat, virtually all visitors fly from Homer to McNeil using one of several air charter companies.

Map: Click here for a map to McNeil River State Game Sanctuary

Reservations: To maintain a fair and equitable system for allowing visitor access to the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary, a lottery process for Viewing Access Permits is applied. Please call the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary for complete details.

Address

Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game Attn: McNeil River State Game Sanctuary

333 Raspberry Rd

Anchorage, Alaska 99518

Phone
General: (907) 267-2182

Website