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Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I buy a permit?
• When are permits required?
• Is there a group size limit?
• Why do I need a permit?
• What is the best time of year to visit Pack Creek?
• Will I be escorted by Rangers while at Pack Creek?
• What facilities are available?
• What should I wear?
• What should I know about Bear Safety?
• Should I bring a firearm or pepper spray?
• Can I bring food?
• Can I bring my pet to Pack Creek?
• Is camping available?
• Is it possible to paddle to Pack Creek from Juneau?

How do I buy a permit?

Click here for permit information.

When are permits required?

Permits are required for all visitors from June 1 through September 10.

Is there a group size limit?

Yes. Because Pack Creek is located within a Wilderness Area, groups are limited to a maximum of 12 people. No more than 24 people per day may visit Pack Creek during the peak season (July 5 to August 25).

Why do I need a permit?

Visitation to Pack Creek increased dramatically in the 1990s. The U.S. Forest Service and the Alaska Department of Fish & Game agreed to manage the area cooperatively in order to protect the bears and maintain a safe viewing experience for the public.

By limiting the number of visitors during the peak season, the bears are subjected to less stress, while human visitors can enjoy an uncrowded wilderness experience.

The sale of permits also supports important programs at Pack Creek, such as trail maintenance, research, and staff. Permit fees are divided equally between the U.S. Forest Service and the Alaska Department of Fish & Game. While every dollar is reinvested in Pack Creek, this revenue only covers about helf of total operating costs.

What is the best time of year to visit Pack Creek?

Every year is different, and some days are better than others. The number of bears seen each day usually increases when salmon return to spawn in Pack Creek, typically sometime in early July.

A few days before your trip, call our office at (907) 586-8800 for the latest information.

Will I be escorted by rangers while at Pack Creek?

No. Staff from the U.S. Forest Service or the Alaska Department of Fish & Game will greet you on arrival. Your group will then be given a brief orientation which includes an explanation of the rules as well as general guidelines for appropriate responses to bear encounters. Rangers are also available at the viewing spit to answer questions. They will not escort you as you move around the area, nor do they staff the viewing tower.

What facilities are available?

The Kootznoowoo Wilderness is an extremely remote, primitive area of Southeast Alaska. There are NO facilities (e.g. restrooms, docks, shelters, etc.).

An outhaul is available to moor small boats and floatplanes. Bear-resistant boxes for storing food are provided year-round at the south spit. A one-mile trail leads from the beach to a small viewing tower overlooking the creek. Neither the trail nor the tower is handicap-accessible.

What should I wear?

Be prepared for cold, rainy weather. Dress in several layers of warm clothes (avoid cotton) and carry good rain gear. Expect to walk over sharp rocks and wade through cold water at least 12" deep when you arrive -- wear tall rubber boots, or bring an extra pair of dry shoes and socks. Insect repellent is always a good idea and sunglasses and sun screen are appropriate on fair weather days.

What should I know about Bear Safety?

The Alaska Department of Fish & Game maintains an excellent website on Bear Safety. Click the ADF&G logo to learn more:

Traveling In Bear Country

Should I bring a firearm or pepper spray?

Bear viewing at Pack Creek dates back to the 1930s. In all that time, no one has ever shot a bear and no one has been attacked. After decades of exposure to people, the bears at Pack Creek are generally quite comfortable around humans.

If you choose to bring a deterrent, be sure that you are competent and comfortable in its use. Remember that it is quite common for bears to approach people at Pack Creek, and aggression is extraordinarily rare.

Can I bring food?

Yes. All food must be stored in the bear-resistant containers provided at the south spit. Food is not allowed at the viewing spit or in the tower. Rangers will direct you to the designated lunch area.

Can I bring my pet to Pack Creek?

No. Even well behaved pets can cause extreme stress in bears, reducing the quality of the viewing experience and potentially creating a dangerous situation.

Is camping available?

Camping is one of the the best ways to make the most of your trip. Primitive camping is available near Pack Creek on Windfall Island, as well as on Swan Island and in Windfall Harbor. For your safety and that of the bears, camping is not allowed within the Pack Creek Cooperative Management Area (click for map).

You will need a kayak, canoe, or boat to travel from your camp to Pack Creek. Kayaks are available for rent in Juneau from Above and Beyond Alaska. Call (907) 364-2333 for more details.

Fresh water is not available on Windfall Island, but several creeks are within easy paddling distance.

Wherever you decide to camp, remember to hang your food and/or use a bear-resistant container.

You can visit our Getting To Pack Creek page for more information on Guides and Charters available.

Is it possible to paddle from Juneau to Pack Creek?

Yes. For those seeking an unrivaled opportunity for solitude, the best way to Pack Creek is by kayak or canoe. A rail-mounted pushcart at Oliver Inlet lets you move personal gear and small watercraft between Seymour Canal and Stephens Passage. This route is more than 80 miles shorter than the water-only route around the southern tip of Admiralty Island's Glass Peninsula.

Allow at least six days for a roundtrip. Several companies in Juneau offer transportation to and from Oliver Inlet, further shortening the trip.

Be sure to check the tide! Arriving at either end of the tram during low tide can mean a long walk across hundreds of acres of mud flats.

The State of Alaska maintains a cabin at the southern terminus of the tram. Contact the Division of Parks at (907) 465-4563 for information on reserving this cabin (pdf).

Kayaks are available for rent in Juneau from Above and Beyond Alaska. Call (907) 364-2333 for more details.

For more information on paddling to Pack Creek, contact Admiralty Island National Monument at (907) 586-8800. You can also visit our Getting To Pack Creek page for more information on Guides and Charters available.