Join us for an unforgettable photography tour to Lake Clark National Park and Silver Salmon Creek, one of the premier destinations for Alaskan Brown Bear photography.
Renowned for its incredible density of bears, this stunning location is a wildlife photographer’s dream, filled with lush sedge marshes and beautiful clamming flats, where bears come to feast after their long winter slumber. We timed this wildlife photography tour for the emergence of mother bears with their spring cubs!
Close proximity and the freedom to compose
Unlike many lodges in the area, where guests are confined to viewing platforms, our exclusive location at Silver Salmon Creek offers you the unique chance to immerse yourself in the bears’ world. It is here that we are given the freedom to walk with bears, photograph from ground level and position ourselves for the light, the backgrounds and bear behaviors.
In addition, Lake Clark National Park is one of our country’s least visited parks so there are no big crowds, just bears.
You’ll spend your time in close proximity to these magnificent animals, observing and photographing their natural behaviors in a breathtaking setting. One of the special things about this experience is how close we are able to get to the bears.
Enjoy capturing full frame images of these massive bears and their tiny cubs with focal lengths of 70-200 and 200-500 as they forage, feed, interact and play before you.
Expert bear guides
Throughout our custom photo tour, you will be accompanied by an experienced guide who will not only ensure your safety but also help interpret the fascinating behaviors of the bears. With their expert knowledge, you’ll gain insights into these magnificent creatures as they interact with one another in their natural habitat.
Private group and transportation
Your journey truly begins when our private chartered plane touches down on the beach along the Cook Inlet. Here, we are greeted by large ATVs pulling wagons to transport us and our luggage to the lodge. These vehicles, also known as the “chariots of the north,” will be our transportation to and from the bears as we spend the next four days photographing and enjoying these magnificent animals.
It’s not all bears – there are birds and other wildlife too!
If conditions allow, we’ll take a private boat ride to a nearby island, providing opportunities to capture stunning images of puffins and other birds. We may even encounter a sea otter or two.
Strategically located, comfortable lodge
We stay at what is widely considered to be the best-appointed lodge in this area. Located in the heart of bear country, this family-owned lodge offers a serene experience surrounded by nature, where bears amble through the grounds, use the lodge totem as a scratch post and seek out the trees around our cabins for back rubs. Meals are prepared by a gourmet chef and flawlessly served by a professional staff. In spite of the remoteness, they will meet the special dietary needs and requests that you may have.
Two photography instructors
Our tour is designed for photographers of all skill levels. You’ll have two instructors, Steve and Nicole, by your side throughout, to advise as you capture images of a lifetime.
Nature Lover’s Trip: While we cannot offer a discount on this trip due to our need to keep the group size small, this is a terrific trip for the non-photographer who loves spending time with wildlife. We actually have a number of non-photographers who love nature join our trips because we are not only fun but also spend time with wildlife, watching and enjoying the behaviors and activity.
Join us for an unparalleled opportunity to photograph Brown bears.
Fitness Level: Easy/Moderate. We will be transported by ATV wagons to where the bears are but you will need to be able to walk out to the bears with your gear and stay with the group.