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 July through mid-September. Fish Creek has a run of what may be the largest chum salmon known. The chum salmon in fish creek are large enough 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 shined hawks, great blue herons, and many other birds can also been seen at Fish Creek. The site is located 4 miles from 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 day use reservation ticket. Tickets are valid for any dates July through mid-September. Upon arrival, your ticket will be validated for that day, regardless of which day the ticket was purchased for. Ticket options include a 1-day, 3-day, or 7-day ticket option, which will provide non-consecutive day use for 1, 3, or 7 days. Fish Creek is open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm daily. Forest Service employees are at the site during these hours to provide information about the 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 July through mid-September. Fish Creek has a run of what may be the largest chum salmon known. The chum salmon in fish creek are large enough 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 shined hawks, great blue herons, and many other birds can also been seen at Fish Creek. The site is located 4 miles from 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 day use reservation ticket. Tickets are valid for any dates July through mid-September. Upon arrival, your ticket will be validated for that day, regardless of which day the ticket was purchased for. Ticket options include a 1-day, 3-day, or 7-day ticket option, which will provide non-consecutive day use for 1, 3, or 7 days. Fish Creek is open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm daily. Forest Service employees are at the site during these hours to provide information about the bears and salmon, enforce site rules, and answer questions from visitors.
Need to Know
- Ticket Purchase
Mobile/Cellular signal not available at site. Tickets are not availble for purchase at site.
- It is best to purchase tickets via Mobile/Cellular or Wi-Fi in Stewart before crossing border. Tickets can be purchased by Wi-Fi in Hyder.
- Use by Reservation Only
Use of Fish Creek Wildlife Observation site is by reservation only.
- Ticket Season
Your 1, 3, or 7 Day ticket is valid any day during the July through mid-September season for the number if days indicated in your ticket. Please check this website for status on the bear viewing platform.
No Ticket is required before July or after mid-September.
- Hours of Operation
Fish Creek is open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm daily.
- 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.
Changes and Cancellations
You may cancel your ticket up until your arrival date for a refund of the recreation fees. There are no refunds for the $1.00 reservation fee per ticket. Changes cannot be made. You must cancel your reservation and create a new reservation; all fees apply
Contact Information
Mailing Address
PO BOX 126 Hyder AK
Phone Number
250-636-2367
