Located in the Tongass National Forest of Southeast Alaska, 35 miles south of Wrangell, the Anan Wildlife Observatory at Anan Creek is a US Forest Service-maintained Black- and Brown Bear viewing platform. Eagles, seals and Sea Lions join in the feast on Pink Salmon entering the lagoon.
We can't guarantee every visitor will see a sight like this, but there's a good chance of it!
Fully Guided Daytrip. Moderately strenuous. $210 per person plus tax (includes required USFS permit).
The day begins with an hour-long jet boat ride from Wrangell through the Eastern Passage. Seals, Steller's sea lions, dolphins, and the occasional Orca feed on herring and smelt in the bays and currents along the way. Upon arrival at Anan, guests disembark off the bow of the boat and climb up the bank to reach the trailhead. A USFS interpreter will greet us at the trailhead to provide a brief history of the facility and recent wildlife activity at the observatory.
A maintained 1/2-mile moderate (partially boardwalked, with steps) trail leads through the rainforest to the observatory platform. The trail winds through the rainforest up and down along the lagoon and across some tree roots, ending at the observatory located above a series of cascading waterfalls. Your guide will brief you on bear safety and etiquette -- please listen and obey. At this point we are in the Anan Bear habitat where bears also use the trail. For the safety of our clients we carry a shotgun and pepper spray. There has never been an injury incident involving human and bear interactions at Anan.
