Alaska Brown Bear Trip Report 2025

Katmai, Alaska
August 16 - 20, 2025

August 15, 2025 — Arrival Day: King Salmon

We woke up early at 6AM, packed up quickly, and made a much-needed stop at Walmart. The airline had left my gear bag in Texas, so I had to scramble to replace clothing and gear for the trip. 

Thankfully, I managed to find enough to get me through. Back at the hotel, I packed everything and headed for our flight to King Salmon.

As the plane lifted off, the excitement really started to build. 

Looking out the window, I was greeted with endless stretches of forests, marshlands, winding rivers, and scattered ponds. Everything was green and alive, a reminder that a brand-new adventure was about to begin.

K, Mike and Michele were on the flight with me and Mike has already arrived in King Salmon. We caught up with Mike

The group has made it here too, and everyone is bouncing off the walls with excitement, eager for this adventure to begin. 

Their energy is contagious, I’m just as fired up as they are.

This is my first time seeing brown bears, and I can’t wait to see them fishing and splashing in the rivers. 

Along with the bears, I brought my underwater camera Gloria, in hopes of photographing the salmon up close.

Their red and green colors are stunning, and I’d love the chance to capture them as they swim past. 

Fingers crossed for something special.

I also packed a 24–70mm f/2.8 lens, which I’ll be testing out for both landscapes and, hopefully, some close bear encounters. 

Earlier today I gave it a trial run, snapping a few shots of song birds at the feeders outside our hotel here in King Salmon, and it handled the shaded light beautifully.

Tomorrow, we board the floatplane to Katmai to officially begin the bear adventure. I can’t wait to get out there. 

Hopefully, the gear I picked up will hold up well in the field. Tomorrow, we find out!