Alaska River of Bears Photo Tour

Join us on an ultimate Alaska bear photo tour. Our journey will take us to a wild river boasting some of the highest concentration of bears on Earth.

Are you fascinated by the idea of capturing breathtaking images of bears chasing salmon in a river? Would you like to witness the sight of bears dashing through the water, pouncing on migrating salmon? You will also have the opportunity to observe playful cubs, adding to this incredible wildlife experience. Our trip is strategically planned during the anticipated peak salmon migration season when the bears are feeding.

New for 2026: We will also have an optional one-day fly-in to the famous Brooks Camp (it would be an additional $400 round-trip)

We had an incredible trip in 2024, where each participant saw 20 to 30 bears daily, with one day featuring over 50 sightings. This place is truly remarkable.

Transportation to photograph the bears will be by jet boat (bass fishing boat). We will have the opportunity to capture stunning bear photos from the boat, in the river, and on land. Minimal walking will be required during this experience.

The lodge is an incredible place and highly sought after, so much so that we had to secure our reservation three years in advance. A documentary on Netflix this year filmed in part on location at this lodge.

Our main goal for this tour is to capture breathtaking photographs of magnificent bears, with the added advantage of encountering adorable bear cubs during this prime season. Throughout the trip, we will have the opportunity to photograph numerous bears fishing. We will spend several hours observing and capturing their behavior. Besides the bears, eagles, osprey, and moose are often photographed. There are occasional wolf sightings as well as fox, mink, beaver, river otter, northern harrier, peregrine falcon, and waterfowl.

In these areas, bears have access to salmon, their primary food source, and have become accustomed to the presence of fishermen and photographers. Over time, they have learned to coexist with both other bears and the fortunate visitors who come to this secluded region. While maintaining a safe distance, we can still observe these magnificent animals closely.

We hope to photograph 20-30 bears a day weather and conditions permitting. The action is non-stop, so be prepared to photograph thousands of images a day.

John, with over 30 years of experience in bear photography, will provide instruction on bear behavior to enable the group to capture several dynamic shots of bears engaged in fishing, diving, playing, fighting, and moments of family interaction between the mother and cubs.

Safety:
Our utmost priority is safety. Bear attacks are extremely rare plus there has never been a recorded instance of a bear attack on a group of four or more people. John, along with the camp staff, possesses numerous years of experience in handling bear encounters.

Lodge:
Each evening, we will meet at the main lodge for hors d'oeuvres. The lodge offers a great view of the wild river, making it a nice place to relax and socialize. The chef will prepare a multi-course dinner, and we will then discuss the plans for the next day to make sure everyone is up to date. Breakfast and departure times will be planned accordingly.

When:
July 19-26, 2026 (2 spaces left)

Getting There:
Participants will fly into King Salmon (AKN). Alaska Airlines and a couple of other companies have direct flights to and back from Anchorage.

Itinerary:
Day 1: We will meet in King Salmon Airport in the morning. We recommend you fly into King Salmon the night before. Then we will have a short 25-minute flight to the bear lodge (included). We will introduce ourselves, discuss the itinerary, unpack and eat dinner.

Day 2-7: After a warm breakfast at the hotel, we will leave the lodge and travel via small boat down the river to photograph numerous bears. After dinner, we will have photo critiques to review and discuss the day’s images. One of the days, there is an option to venture out to the famous Brooks Camp to photograph bears fishing on a waterfall. This side trip is not included in the price.

Day 8: We will say goodbye and take a 25-minute plane ride back to King Salmon marking the end of the tour. We will leave King Salmon after 3 pm.

Price Includes:

• Plane flights from King Salmon to lodge and back

• Food while at the lodge (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner)

• Daily boat ride excursions

• Hands-on field instruction with wildlife identification and behavior

• Lodging at private cabins (this is double occupancy since single occupancy is not available)

Not Included:

• Transportation to and from Anchorage

• Transportation from Anchorage to King Salmon (approx. $400 round trip)

• Optional day trip to Brooks Camp (approx. $400 round trip)

• Gratuities for lodge staff. One tip includes them all.

• Alcohol is not included

Skill and Fitness Level Requirements:
Participants should be able to climb in and out of boats. Walking will be minimal. Rivers can be slippery. If we have to cross a small river our staff will help you. Waders allow us to get the best angles for photographing the bears.

This tour is for experienced photographers. The participants should have a working knowledge of their camera, a love of nature, and enjoy the company of other people.

Participants should be in good health and self-sufficient.

Weather:
This is Alaska, and the weather can change in a second. All events must be tentative and flexible. Safety is the top priority.

Cost:
$9850 per person
Deposit: $2000 per person
Balance: Due 6 months before start date of trip
Note: There is an option to extend this trip to include the Alaska Land and Sea Tour.

Payment: Payment can be made by check to Slonina Photography. We also accept credit cards through our online shopping cart.

Click here for the Bear Trip Cancellation Policy

Click here to see Testimonials.

About Us:
John Slonina (leader)

A professional nature photographer who has been photographing for several decades. During the workshop, you will receive information on photography techniques and the natural world. Understanding the natural world not only increases your appreciation of nature but also helps you become a better nature photographer.

We hope you can join us at this incredible place. If you have any questions, please contact us.