Most people wouldn’t think of being within a hundred feet of a wild bear without panicking, much less being there intentionally, but a visit to Alaska’s Admiralty Island National Monument will give you the unparalleled opportunity to do just that. Located in the southeastern region of the state, this incredible expanse of nearly one million acres was designated a national monument in 1978, permanently protecting almost all of this remote wilderness from development. While there are several outstanding features of Admiralty Island, its most prominent is its brown bear population — more than anywhere else in the entire world.
Visitors to the monument have a great chance of seeing brown bears going about their daily business of foraging through fields, engaging in playtime with one another, and hunting salmon in any of its numerous rivers and streams, which fill to the point of choking during Pacific salmon spawning season in July and August. The burgeoning population of bears isn’t alone in this old-growth forest, however, as black-tailed deer, bald eagles, and a variety of other wildlife all share the splendor of nature within the monument.
The 32-mile trail system of Admiralty Island National Monument links together eight major lakes, from which anglers can cast their lines and paddlers can quietly make their way while enjoying the sounds and sights of nature. Permits for viewing the bears can be obtained either through a designated tour or by individuals who wish to make the journey alone, and a smattering of cabins managed by the US Forest Service can be reserved for those who want an overnight experience. Camping is not permitted in areas the bears frequent, but any number of hikes are readily available to campers after a good night’s rest.
This footage taken by a Forest Service summer intern will give you an inside look just how much of a bear’s world Admiralty Island National Monument really is.
Featured Image from Rod Long/Unsplash
