Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site
Potential bear viewing at Fish Creek includes both Alaska brown bears (grizzly) and black bears. Bears can often be observed and photographed at the site from mid-July through mid-September. Fish Creek has a run of some of the largest known chum salmon. The chum salmon in Fish Creek are so large that they were once thought to be a different species. Fish Creek also supports a run of pink salmon. The salmon in turn support brown (grizzly), black bears, and wolves that feed at Fish Creek July through mid-September. Beavers, mink, otters, bald eagles, sharp-shinned hawks, great blue herons, and many other birds can also been seen at Fish Creek. The site is located 4 miles north of Hyder, AK, along the Salmon River Road on the way to the Salmon Glacier, the fifth largest glacier in Canada and the largest road-accessible glacier in the world.
Reservations are required for day use at Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site. All visitors 16 years and older will require a ticket. Tickets are valid for any dates beginning July 15 through September 20. Upon arrival, your ticket will be validated regardless of the date printed on the ticket. Ticket options include a 1-day, 3-day, 7-day, or the NEW season ticket option. Multi-day tickets do not have to be used on consecutive days. Fish Creek is open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm Pacific Time daily. Forest Service employees are at the site during these hours to provide information about bears and salmon, enforce site rules, and answer questions from visitors.
Potential bear viewing at Fish Creek includes both Alaska brown bears (grizzly) and black bears. Bears can often be observed and photographed at the site from mid-July through mid-September. Fish Creek has a run of some of the largest known chum salmon. The chum salmon in Fish Creek are so large that they were once thought to be a different species. Fish Creek also supports a run of pink salmon. The salmon in turn support brown (grizzly), black bears, and wolves that feed at Fish Creek July through mid-September. Beavers, mink, otters, bald eagles, sharp-shinned hawks, great blue herons, and many other birds can also been seen at Fish Creek. The site is located 4 miles north of Hyder, AK, along the Salmon River Road on the way to the Salmon Glacier, the fifth largest glacier in Canada and the largest road-accessible glacier in the world.
Reservations are required for day use at Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site. All visitors 16 years and older will require a ticket. Tickets are valid for any dates beginning July 15 through September 20. Upon arrival, your ticket will be validated regardless of the date printed on the ticket. Ticket options include a 1-day, 3-day, 7-day, or the NEW season ticket option. Multi-day tickets do not have to be used on consecutive days. Fish Creek is open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm Pacific Time daily. Forest Service employees are at the site during these hours to provide information about bears and salmon, enforce site rules, and answer questions from visitors.
Need to Know
- Ticket Purchase
Mobile/Cellular signal is not available at the site.
- It is best to purchase tickets via Mobile/Cellular or Wi-Fi in Stewart before crossing border. Access is limited in Hyder.
- Use by Ticket Entry Only
A ticket is required for use of Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Site.
- Ticket Season
- Your 1-, 3-, or 7- Day ticket is valid any day during the July 15 through September 20 season for any time during open hours.
- NEW season tickets are valid for the entire season within the year purchased.
- Your ticket is valid for the number of days indicated on your ticket. Regardless of the day or time selected during purchase.
No ticket is required before July 15 or after September 20.
- Hours of Operation
Fish Creek is open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm Pacific Time daily. (Not Alaska Time)
- Site Regulations
Keep pets and food inside your vehicle.
- Site Regulations
No cooking at the site, including parking areas.
- Site Regulations
To access Fish Creek, walk directly to the board walk, do not walk along the road. Staff will validate your ticket near the cabin. Once your ticket is validated enter through the gate near the cabin.
Booking Windows
Tickets for July 15 through September 20 available now. Site Hours are posted in Pacific Time. 6:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Changes and Cancellations
Cancellations prior to arrival date may qualify for a refund of recreation fees. If you are cancelling before your arrival date, please submit a refund request detailing the reason for cancellation.
Refund Policy:
There are no refunds for the $1.00 reservation fee per ticket.
No refunds for no shows, inclement weather, or cancellations day of.
No refunds due to the unpredictable nature of wildlife.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
PO BOX 126 Hyder AK 99923
Phone Number
250-636-2367
