The Kodiak Brown Bear Center offers a true Alaskan adventure: outstanding bear viewing without boardwalks or large groups of tourists. A visit to our home will leave you with unforgettable memories of your time spent in the heart of Kodiak’s wilderness with the legendary monarchs of our Archipelago: the Kodiak brown bear.
The Kodiak Brown Bear Center’s home is Camp Island, located in the center of Karluk Lake on Kodiak Island. It is just a short boat ride away from some of the best brown bear habitats remaining on the planet. Our program represents Alaska bear viewing at its best, fusing thousands of years of traditional Alutiiq wisdom with modern scientific knowledge.
We are building a collaborative program to continue the Alutiiq heritage of learning from the land and continue stewardship of our resources so that future generations will have the same opportunities we enjoy today. Through sharing this experience with you, whether as a bear viewer, a professional wildlife photographer or a scientist, we continue our quest to better understand and respect this great island. We offer agritourism experiences like fishing and birdwatching.
The chance to see a Kodiak bear is often what draws guests to the Center & Lodge. But once they get here, they learn that there are many other exciting, memorable, and relaxing things to do, such as:
- Hiking on Camp Island – Guide Required
- Kayaking on Karluk Lake near Camp Island – Guide Required
- Stand-up Paddleboarding
- Sport fishing from the dock/around Karluk Lake (catch and release)
- Fly-Fishing: (available through our partnership with FishHound Expeditions)
- Bird watching and photography on Camp Island and in the field
- Observing and photographing other animals (such as fox, otter, and deer) and plants
- Learning about Alutiiq culture and native archeological sites
- Maqii* (traditional Alutiiq sauna/steam bath)
- And our favorite: hanging out with old and new friends and swapping stories over good food and drink, at our bear paw-shaped firepit
