Imagine morning mist lifting over Lake Clark National Park’s Chinitna Bay, a faint breeze moving through the meadow, and brown bears lowering their big muzzles into tidal flats to dig for clams.

Now picture yourself on the deck of your new handcrafted cabin—one of only ten—quietly taking in the spectacle as the day begins.

Our private fly-in Bear Camp is a sustainable base for exploring pristine brown bear habitat, providing remote wilderness accommodations in a truly exclusive setting. On a private inholding surrounded by Lake Clark National Park, Nat Hab’s Alaska Bear Camp lies between the peaks of the Aleutian Range and the headwaters of the largest sockeye salmon fishery in the world.

Beginning with the 2026 season, guests will enjoy a new era of unsurpassed luxurious bear viewing at Alaska Bear Camp, a rare private inholding within Lake Clark National Park. Ten new handcrafted guest cabins and a timber-framed dining lounge will bring comfort to the Bear Coast while preserving everything that has made this one of Alaska’s most exceptional wildlife encounters.

Remote and exclusive, Bear Camp has always been for travelers who want to experience Alaska’s wild coast without crowds. Now that unparalleled access to wildlife will come with a new level of comfort.

What Makes Alaska Bear Camp Extraordinary?

Nestled between forested hillsides and the tidal flats of Chinitna Bay, it sits on a historic private homestead inside Lake Clark National Park, surrounded by protected wilderness. It’s quiet, remote and exclusive—guests arrive by chartered bush plane from Homer, landing directly on the beach beside camp—no roads, no runways and no sign of the outside world.

Coastal brown bears roam freely and without fear. They graze on sedges, wade through tidal channels for salmon, and sometimes pass just yards from camp. Nat Hab’s expert Expedition Leaders interpret these moments with respect for both bears and people, allowing for a sense of quiet connection that few places on Earth still offer.

With two viewing platforms and the ability to explore via our 4×4 Bear Mobile and on foot, Bear Camp offers a premier location for immersive encounters with the world’s largest coastal brown bears.

For over a decade, Nat Hab’s Alaska Bear Camp has hosted guests in heated, weatherproof tent cabins with raised wooden floors, beds and a shared bathhouse. Beginning in 2026, those tents will be replaced by 10 handcrafted cabins—each with an ensuite flush toilet, hot-water sink and private deck—alongside a new timber-framed dining lounge with sweeping views of Chinitna Bay.

What’s New for Alaska Bear Camp in 2026?

Handcrafted Cabins with Ocean Views

Each of the new cabins—five on either side of the dining hall—has been designed to blend seamlessly into the coastal landscape. Birchwood finishes create a warm, natural interior, while large windows, close to floor-to-ceiling, frame uninterrupted views of the bay.

Inside, guests will find twin beds, electrical outlets, a flush toilet, a sink with hot running water and a propane heater to ward off the coastal chill. A nearby bathhouse will continue to offer hot showers.

Outside, a private deck built with recycled-plastic lumber from a local Anchorage supplier provides a sustainable, long-lasting place to sit with coffee in hand and watch the world—or bears and bald eagles—go by.

A Dining Lounge That Brings the Outdoors In

At the heart of Bear Camp, a new timber-framed dining hall and lounge will serve as a gathering space. An expansive new deck outside the dining hall/common area will serve as a combined lounge, dining, presentation and deck space. Of course, we’ll stop everything to watch the bears when they show up.

The dining lounge’s whitewashed cedar walls and tongue-and-groove trim echo the craftsmanship of a classic Alaskan cabin, while two glass garage doors can open on fair-weather days to bring in the fresh sea air.

Here, guests will share gourmet meals prepared with locally sourced ingredients—often wild-caught seafood fresh from Alaskan waters—while eagles soar overhead and the light shifts across the bay. Evenings might include informal guide talks or quiet conversation by lantern light, as twilight lingers late into the northern night.

How Does Comfort Deepen the Alaska Bear Camp Experience?

For many travelers, the beauty of Bear Camp lies in its balance: true wilderness immersion paired with thoughtful stewardship. The new cabins deepen that with greater comfort, allowing for the ability to stay present for the soft clatter of clamshells as bears forage, or the moment when a sow guides her cubs through the sedge meadow. Here, comfort is not separation from the wild but the freedom to appreciate it more fully.

Recycled materials, local craftsmanship and low-impact systems reflect Nat Hab’s ongoing commitment to sustainable practices and innovation. As WWF’s travel partner, Nat Hab continues to demonstrate how adventure travel can directly support wildlife conservation while enhancing guest comfort responsibly.

Alaska Bear Camp Questions Answered

Will I see bears from my cabin?
Oh yes—bears often graze and dig for clams within view of camp. The new cabins face the bay, and sightings from the deck or porch are common throughout the day.

Are the cabins private?
Completely. Each cabin offers space to unwind, with the sound of the surf and the sight of the meadow beyond your door.

When will the new Bear Camp open?
Construction is underway, with the enhanced camp debuting for the 2026 season. Here are Alaska Bear Camp Dates, Prices and Information.

How do guests reach Alaska Bear Camp in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve?
From Homer, guests board a small charter plane for a scenic flight across Cook Inlet, landing directly on the beach next to camp; it’s a thrilling start to an authentic Alaskan wilderness adventure.

What trips or itineraries stay at Nat Hab’s Alaska Bear Camp?

  • Alaska Bear Camp: This is secluded immersion in the heart of brown bear habitat. Against the backdrop of the ice-clad Aleutian Range, enjoy rustic luxury at Nat Hab’s Alaska Bear Camp.
  • Alaska Bear Camp Photo Expedition: At Nat Hab’s Alaska Bear Camp, photographers find matchless encounters with wild brown bears. Enjoy the height of summer surrounded by some of the best bear viewing on the planet. Nat Hab’s Photo Expeditions feature longer stays and more photo-focused experiences.
  • Ultimate Alaska Wildlife Safari: Early-summer itineraries of this trip feature wildlife viewing in Denali National Park backcountry and Kenai Fjords National Park, plus two-nights immersive brown bear experience at Nat Hab’s private fly-in Alaska Bear Camp in Lake Clark National Park.
  • Ultimate Alaska Photo Expedition: New for 2026! June itineraries include epic photo opportunities on a grand-slam itinerary featuring a fly-in backcountry lodge in Denali; glaciers, icebergs and marine life in Kenai Fjords; a scenic ride in an Alaska Railroad dome car; and brown bear encounters at Nat Hab’s private fly-in Alaska Bear Camp in Lake Clark National Park.

How should I pack for a visit to Nat Hab’s Alaska Bear Camp?

Check out our Alaska Know Before You Go pages for an array of useful resources from wildlife guides and packing tips to nature quizzes and travel stories to inspire your wanderlust.

Can I learn more about the history of Nat Hab’s Alaska Bear Camp?

Yes! Check out the history of the camp and the Alaskan homesteader who made sure it was protected for wildlife viewing: The Homestead History of Nat Hab’s Alaska Bear Camp. 

Comfort & Conservation on Alaska’s Bear Coast

Every enhancement at Nat Hab’s Alaska Bear Camp honors the same principle that has guided Nat Hab from the start: to connect travelers with wild nature in meaningful ways that protect it for generations to come.

Our mission is conservation through exploration: protecting our planet by inspiring travelers, supporting local communities and boldly influencing the entire travel industry. 

Alaska Bear Camp’s new cabins and dining lounge ensure that more travelers can experience its spirit deeply, responsibly and comfortably. For those who know the thrill of being close to wild bears—and the peace of remote Alaska—this next chapter promises both familiarity and wonder.

To be among the first to experience the enhanced immersion with brown bears from our private fly-in wilderness base, explore trips that stay at Nat Hab’s Alaska Bear Camp.