Overview:
Anan is a world-class bear viewing area and one of the few places in the world where both black and brown bear feed at the same creek at the same time. Anan Creek is home to one of the largest runs of pink salmon in southeast Alaska, some 200,000 – 300,000 salmon return each year and help support the high density of black and brown bears that gather there.
The abundant seasonal food source that the salmon run provides attracts a variety of wildlife to the creek. Harbor seals, bald eagles, and mink are common at Anan. Steller sea lions, orcas, wolves, humpback whales, and wolverines have also been spotted at and near Anan.
Anan is a primitive recreational experience where natural forces dominate. The three main goals of Anan management are having as little effect on the bear populations as possible; bear and public safety; and maintaining and providing an extraordinary experience for visitors.
Day use permits are required for Anan during the annual peak season of July 5-August 25.
History:
Anan Creek is an area of rich history. The Stikine Tlingit clans had summer fish camps here and used Anan Creek’s large salmon spawning run to catch and preserve salmon for their winter food supply. Anan was unique because the large amount of salmon available made it possible to have several clans sharing one fish camp.
The abundance of salmon also drew non-native people to Anan Creek. In 1901, Pilot Fish Packing Company set up a large fish trap at the mouth of Anan that allowed few fish to make it up the creek. This lack of escapement was very destructive to the Anan salmon population. Commercial fish traps were outlawed shortly after Alaska became a state in 1959.
Location and Environment:
The Anan Wildlife Observatory is located on the mainland within Alaska’s Tongass National Forest roughly 35 miles south of the town of Wrangell. It is a rural and isolated area only accessible by boat or float plane.
A list of permitted commercial operators that provide outfitter and guide services for Anan can be found here.
The Tongass National Forest is a temperate rain forest where precipitation and ocean influences dominate weather patterns. The temperature is mild to cool and wet year-round.
Anan is a premier bear viewing site that is growing in popularity. Daily permits are limited to 60 per day and can be very difficult to obtain. Many visitors are turned away each year because permits are already sold out on the days they would like to go. Plan your trip early!
Gallery
Directions
–
GPS Coordinates
Latitude 56° 10′ 45.0001″ N
Longitude 131° 53′ 1.0000″ W