Bear Watching at Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site in Hyder, Alaska

If there is one thing Hyder, Alaska and its surrounding areas is known for (besides, of course, getting Hyderized…), it’s bears! And the best place to look for Hyder bear viewing is Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site.

Of course, I didn’t actually SEE any bears while I was in Hyder there (although there was, apparently, one outside of a bar we went to but I didn’t make it out in time. And we did feel slightly vindicated when we saw one on our way home!)

But just because we didn’t see any bears doesn’t mean we didn’t try!

Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site at the Tongass National Forest in Hyder, Alaska.
Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site at the Tongass National Forest in Hyder, Alaska.
For your safety stay on boardwalk sign at the Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site at the Tongass National Forest in Hyder, Alaska.
For your safety stay on boardwalk sign.

At Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site you can wander over Fish Creek and Marx Creek on a wooden observation deck and try to spot bears and other wildlife. The bears visit the shallow waters as they hunt for chum and pink salmon that swim there.

Sign welcoming you to Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site at the Tongass National Forest in Hyder, Alaska.
Welcome sign.
Informational signs at Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site at the Tongass National Forest in Hyder, Alaska.
Informational signs.

We visited Fish Creek Hyder Alaska at the end of June, but the best time to see bears at Fish Creek is mid-July through early September when the salmon return to the area. It’s still possible to see them at other times. Just not as likely.

Know Your Bears - the Black Bear - at Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site at the Tongass National Forest in Hyder, Alaska.
Know Your Bears – the Black Bear.
Know Your Bears - the Grizzly - at Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site at the Tongass National Forest in Hyder, Alaska.
Know Your Bears – the Grizzly.

As always, any time you have the possibility of being near to wildlife always exercise caution! While participating in Hyder Alaska bear viewing stay off the roads, do not take out food, and do not use flash photography. Pretty much, try not to get mauled!

How to Lose Face with a Bear sign - at Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site at the Tongass National Forest in Hyder, Alaska.
How to Lose Face with a Bear sign.
Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site at the Tongass National Forest in Hyder, Alaska.

While we didn’t see any bears at Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site, we did see some amazing views! So it’s definitely worth your time to check out, off season or not.

If you’re planning on taking a road trip to Hyder, check out how to get there from Seattle.

Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site at the Tongass National Forest in Hyder, Alaska.
Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site at the Tongass National Forest in Hyder, Alaska.
Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site at the Tongass National Forest in Hyder, Alaska.
Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site at the Tongass National Forest in Hyder, Alaska.
Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site at the Tongass National Forest in Hyder, Alaska.
Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site at the Tongass National Forest in Hyder, Alaska.

Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site

Location: Hyder, Alaska – three miles north of Hyder on the Salmon River Road.
Hours: 6:00 am to 10:00 pm daily.
Date: June 27, 2009

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Valerie Bromann

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Valerie Bromann is a a website manager, content creator, and writer from Chicago, Illinois (currently living in Dallas, Texas). As an avid road tripper who has visited hundreds of roadside attractions, Val always pull over for a world’s largest thing. Founder of Silly America and author of The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book, she visits, photographs, and writes about all the weird tourist destinations she visits and offers road trip planning advice and inspiration based on her own travels so you can hit the road for yourself.

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Last modified: July 3, 2019
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The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book - Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip! By Valerie Bromann

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip!

BY Valerie Bromann

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.

The road trip you’ve been dreaming of starts here! Journal about your stops and get to know your fellow passengers with activities and exercises designed to pass the time and bring you closer together. Instead of “Are we there yet?” you’ll find yourself asking, “We’re there already?”. Complete with prompts you can turn to while driving between locations, this journal will one day be a memento of your life-changing trip.