Wildlife and birding in Juneau
Wildlife and birding in Juneau mostly means bears, eagles and birds you can reach without a long trip. The best-known bear spot, Pack Creek on Admiralty Island, is a fly-in trip. Closer to town, the trails by the Mendenhall Glacier visitor center offer bear viewing at peak salmon runs, and the Airport Dike Trail is a flat walk through wetlands known for birds.
Places to go
Mendenhall Glacier
A massive glacier calving into its own lake, and Juneau's most popular attraction. Most visitors look at the face from the visitor center, then walk the trails to Nugget Falls.
Tours to book
Prices are per person, booked with our partner, Shore Excursions Group.
What to expect
Most people who come for wildlife here start with the Mendenhall Glacier area. Buses run about every 30 minutes in summer and take roughly 40 minutes to the glacier. Near the Mendenhall Visitor Center, the trails are easy walks. In August and September, black bears, often with cubs, feed on spawning sockeye at Steep Creek, and viewing platforms let you watch from a distance.
Bigger bear encounters take a fly-in trip. Pack Creek on Admiralty Island is the most popular place to watch brown bears feed on salmon, and bear viewing there peaks from July through August. Fly-in operators run these trips, mainly from May to September. Birders can add the Airport Dike Trail, a 1.2-mile one-way walk through the Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge that takes one to two hours.
Where to go
- Pack Creek Bear Sanctuary. Brown bears feed on salmon here on Admiralty Island, the most popular place in Juneau to watch them. By fly-in trip.
- Mendenhall Visitor Center trails. Easy trails with bear viewing at peak salmon runs and bird watching nearby, plus views of the glacier. About 13 miles north of downtown, by bus or taxi from downtown. A trip that goes here: Mendenhall Lake Kayak Adventure, 3 Hours 30 Minutes, $305 a person
- Steep Creek Wildlife Viewing Site. A designated viewing site where black bears with cubs feed on spawning sockeye in August and September. A trip that goes here: Exclusive Whale Watching Cruise, 3 Hours 30 Minutes, $205 a person
- Airport Dike Trail. A 1.2-mile one-way easy, accessible trail through the Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge, known for bird watching.
Getting there
Buses run about every 30 minutes in summer to the Mendenhall Glacier area, roughly 40 minutes one way. From the bus stop, the visitor center is about a 1.5-mile walk, so many people take a taxi or a shuttle instead. Pack Creek is reached only by fly-in.
When to go
Pack Creek bear viewing peaks in July and August. Steep Creek bears come in August and September, and some trails may close then. Glacier viewing is often best on overcast and rainy days.
Good to know
- Bring bear spray and stay aware on the trails, and hike with a buddy when you can.
- No food or soft drinks are allowed in the Mendenhall recreation area, and dogs must be on a leash.
- Do not count on cell service; some backcountry areas around Juneau have little or no reception.
- The Mendenhall Visitor Center charges a fee from May to September, but the grounds and trails outside are free.
Questions
Can you see bears in Juneau?
Yes. Black bears feed on spawning sockeye at Steep Creek near the Mendenhall Glacier in August and September. Brown bears feed on salmon at Pack Creek on Admiralty Island, reached by fly-in trip, with viewing peaking from July through August.
How do you get to Pack Creek from Juneau?
Pack Creek is reached by fly-in only. Fly-in operators run bear viewing trips to Admiralty Island, mainly from May to September.
Where can I go birding near Juneau?
The Airport Dike Trail runs 1.2 miles one way through the Mendenhall Wetlands State Game Refuge. It is an easy, accessible walk that takes one to two hours and is known for bird watching.
