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Bear watching activities

Few wildlife watchers want to just watch bears morning, noon and night but to combine these trips of a lifetime with other superb experiences. And there are many bear watching activities on offer, from hiking in Alaska’s incredible national parks, seeing the Northern Lights in Finland or Canada. And, for the most spectacular surf and turf wildlife experience, go whale watching on your day off from bears.

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Bear watching activities

I was hoping to get a shot of a polar bear with Northern Lights behind it. But that's rare apparently. Anyway, two beauties in one shot would be greedy right?

There are bear enthusiasts out there who want nothing more in life than to spend three nights in a bear hide, watching these extraordinary creatures in action. Or five days at sea observing polar bears devouring seals, with five nights devouring knowledge from expert lecturers and exchanging bear knowledge. However, if that is all a bit too intense for you and you would like to find a few other ways to immerse yourself in the wonders of these wild places, bear with…

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Hiking in national parks

Katmai National Park in Alaska, Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Pacific Rim National Park in British Columbia all have bear populations, but also have impressive hiking trails. Like all North American national parks. Consider extending your wildlife vacation for a few days of hiking in these wild places. Be bear aware though.

Northern lights

It might be just too much excitement in one day for some people, seeing polar bears by day and the Northern Lights by night. Thrill seekers should head to Churchill, Canada, as the best time to see polar bears here is Oct/Nov, when the light shows kick in too.

Whale watching

Humpbacks and grey whales in British Columbia’s Pacific Rim National Park, orcas off Vancouver Island, beluga whales off Churchill, Manitoba are all en route for bear watchers. In these areas, a day of whale watching is usually included in a tour operator’s itinerary, depending on the season. And if it isn’t, it is worth enquiring about.

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Bear watching or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.

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1-866-821-6866

Call toll free

Calling from outside the USA

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Responsible Travel asks the experts

Catherine Mack, author of our in depth guide to US National Parks:
"If you are going all the way to Yellowstone National Park to see bears, take time do a few days’ hiking as well. There are over 1,500km of excellent walking trails in the park and even though this, the first national park in the world, is very famous, it’s actually less crowded than some because it is harder to get to. After your bear watching vacation, you will be well briefed by on how to act safely when there are bears around, so you can walk with confidence and know how to stick to the safety rules".

Roy Atkins, naturalist and expert guide at our supplier Speyside Wildlife, which specialises in bear watching in Canada, Finland, Spain and Yellowstone National Park:
“There is so much wildlife to see on our bear watching trips. In British Columbia, for example, we include whale-watching for humpbacks, grey and killer whales plus boat trips for sea otters. There are also raccoons, deer, beavers and lots of great birds too. There is always lots of other wildlife on all our trips”.

More about Bear watching

Best time for bear watching

Of course bear watching is very seasonal, and also depends on where you go.

Bear watching travel guide

If you go into the woods today, you’re in for a big surprise.

Where to see bears

Places like Yellowstone National Park in the USA are famous for bear watching, as is British Columbia for grizzlies.

Bear species

Read below for more details on the different bear species you can see on wildlife vacations, what time of year you are most likely to see them and how prolific they are in each place.

Grizzly bear watching vacations

You really do want to be with expert guides when you first see a grizzly.

Watching polar bears in Churchill

For many of us, the name Churchill evokes the image of a dog, not a bear.

Bear watching vacations in Finland

You don’t need to travel to Alaska to see gigantic brown bears; the Wild Taiga region of Finland is home to a population of these fascinating creatures and a supporting cast of other animals, too, from wolves and wolverine to elk and reindeer.

Bear tracking vacations in Greece

When you go down to the woods of Greece today, you’re in for a big surprise: bears.

Bear watching advice

If you don’t want to exit, pursued by a bear, then you best read our bear watching advice.

Responsible bear watching vacations

Like so many destinations in the world that are well known for their wildlife wonders and conservation plaudits, it is the people who live there who should be the focus of our responsible tourism practices.

More relevant guides

Written by Catherine Mack

Bear watching activities