The Anan Bear & Wildlife Observatory is one Alaska’s premier bear viewing sites.

A visit requires advance planning, but it is a highlight of any trip to Wrangell during July and August. Anan Creek is home to the largest run of pink salmon in Southeast Alaska. Historically, the Tlingit established summer fish camps at Anan and gave the creek its name, which roughly translates to ‘a place to sit down together’ or ‘gathering place’.

Today, visitors are drawn to Anan to view the wildlife that comes seeking an easy meal. Both black and brown bears feed here and are certainly the stars of the show, but Bald Eagles, Stellar sea lions, seals, otters, mink, and the occasional wolf may also be spotted.

The Forest Service developed the observatory to provide an opportunity to watch the bears feeding up close. A covered viewing shelter, observation platform, and a photo blind all overlook the cascading falls, where salmon make their way upstream to spawn and the bears try their luck at fishing. The observatory is reached by walking a scenic half-mile trail. During July and August, the trailhead and observation platform are monitored by the Forest Service.

Anan is located thirty miles south of Wrangell on the remote Alaskan mainland and is only accessible by water or air. The peak season for bear viewing is July 5th through August 25th, and all visitors are required to have a permit to visit during that time. Most visitors choose a local charter boat or float plane operator for a fully guided tour with permits included. If traveling on your own boat, you can obtain private permits from www.recreation.gov. You can also reserve the Anan Bay Recreation Cabin, which includes up to four permits each day of your stay. You must arrange transportation to and from the cabin. Visiting Anan outside of the peak season does not require a permit, but all posted regulations at the trailhead are still in effect for safety.

For more information on experiencing this amazing place, please visit the Anan Wildlife Observatory site, contact the Wrangell District office by e-mail at anan@fs.fed.us, by phone at 907-874-2323, or write to the Wrangell Ranger District, c/o Anan Reservations, P.O. Box 51, Wrangell, AK 99929.