Anan Wildlife Observatory Permits
Anan is a world-class wildlife viewing area and one of the few places in the world where both black and brown bears feed in 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 bears and a smaller population of 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.
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.
If you do not have your own means of transportation to Anan, view the provided list of permitted commercial operators that provide outfitter and guide services for Anan. The guides provide permits with their trips, so you should not purchase a permit from recreation.gov if you need to hire transportation.
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.
Notifications and Alerts
Anan Wildlife Observatory pass fees will increase from $10 to $20 for the July 5 to August 25, 2025 permit season. The fees will then increase $10 annually until it reaches $50.
A fee increase is just one step the Tongass National Forest takes to provide a wide array of outdoor recreational opportunities sustainably. Local fee retention allows us to reinvest 95% of the recreation fee revenue generated back into maintenance and future improvements. Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to welcoming you to the Anan Wildlife Observatory.
For more information about the fee increases please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/home/?cid=fseprd1042295
Permit & Season Information
February 1: Advanced reservations for the peak season become available at 8 a.m. Alaska Time
July 5 - August 25: Peak Season. Day use passes are required.
Visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors are not permitted up the trail before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. to give the bears time when people are not present.
Each visitor needs a day use pass. Up to 4 passes can be purchased on 1 permit.
Daily passes are limited to 12 (non-commercial) visitors per day. Many visitors are turned away because the passes are sold out. Plan your trip early!
Do NOT buy a pass on recreation.gov if you need to hire transportation (boat or plane) to the observatory. Instead, contact guide companies directly for passage and permits. Visit USFS Anan Wildlife Observatory for information on authorized guide companies and their available permits for each day.
These passes are ONLY for people arriving with their own transportation and/or without a hired escort. Commercial operators may NOT use these permits.
Need to Know
Anan is remote and isolated. It can only be accessed by floatplane or boat. You should NOT purchase passes on Recreation.gov if you need to hire transportation. These permits are reserved for those with their own private means of transportation. Commercial operators (charter boats or planes) cannot have their customers purchase these passes.
Whether you arrive by boat or float plane, you will disembark in a tidal area. There are concrete and wood steps that lead to the trailhead, which can get slippery.
The wildlife observatory is accessed by a half-mile, 30" wide gravel trail with some steps and bridges. The total trip to the viewing platform and back requires a one-mile walk. There have been recent improvements to the trail, but it is not wheelchair accessible. The end of the trail is somewhat steep and needs to be walked without stopping due to the bear activity near the viewing platform. In addition, the photo blind located at the wildlife observatory is accessed through a stairway that is equivalent to three stories high.
What to Expect:
During the peak viewing season of July and August, Forest Service personnel are onsite to provide current information on bear safety, trail conditions, bear activity, and to interpret the natural surroundings and the wildlife of Anan. You will need to present your day-use permit to the Forest Service personnel upon arrival.
Visiting hours from July 5 - August 25 are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors are not permitted up the trail before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. to give the bears time when people are not present.
The wet environment of Southeast Alaska creates very slippery and muddy trail conditions. It is common to encounter bears along the trail during the peak season. Bear spray is recommended.
If visiting Anan by private boat, the anchoring can be tricky as Anan Bay features a large tidal flat, a steep drop-off, and sandy ocean floor bottom. To find a spot to anchor use your depth finder and be aware of the large tidal shifts that will happen. A 40' mooring float is located in the bay and open to use by the general public and guide services on a first-come, first-served basis. Vessel limit on the float is a maximum of 36 feet long with a 30" draft. You might need a smaller craft to access the trailhead in the tidal area.
All food and flavored drinks (except water) should stay on your boat or plane. If needed, there is a bear proof food locker at the trailhead where food can be stored while visiting, but all food must be eaten at the trailhead. It is important for everyone’s safety that the bears do not associate people with food. Pack out any trash or water bottles.
What to Bring:
- Rain gear, extra layers, and waterproof footwear. Even on sunny days, the weather can quickly change to cold and rain.
- Plenty of water to last throughout the day.
- Any food you bring will need to be stored in the bear-proof locker at the trailhead while visiting the observatory deck.
- Bear spray if not accompanied by a guide.
- Your camera!
Facilities:
The Anan area has a trail system, recreational cabin, trailhead with trailhead shelter, a few outhouses, and an observatory deck overlooking the falls where the bears congregate.
The Anan Wildlife Observatory deck consists of a partially covered viewing deck, a photo blind, and a primitive toilet.
Rules and Regulations:
From July 5 through August 25, a day use permit is required for all visitors to the observatory.
Per Order of Forest Supervisor, Order No. 96-01 the following activities are prohibited within the Anan Wildlife Viewing Area. Restrictions apply to all visitors between June 15 and September 15, annually.
a. Possessing, preparing, or storing any food or food refuse within the area, with the exception of placing such in the designated food cache located at the Anan Creek Trailhead, or in conjunction with authorized use of Anan Creek Trailhead, or in conjunction with authorized use of the Anan Public Recreation Cabin [36 CFR 261.58 (cc)].
b. Camping [36 CFR 261.58 9e)]. Camping is prohibited within one-half mile of Anan Creek (north shore boundary is power line right-of-way, southern shore boundary is cliffs south of the sandy beach).
c. Possessing, storing or transporting any dog, including any of the various animals of the Canidae family [36 CFR 261.58 (s)]. Dogs are prohibited within one-half mile of Anan Creek (north shore boundary is power line right-of-way; southern shore boundary is cliffs south of the sandy beach).
d. Public use on all National Forest System lands within 1/2 mile of the Anan Creek Trail (Trail #448) beginning at the Anan Bay Public Recreation Cabin and ending at the Upper Falls Observatory, the exception of:
1) the Anan Bay Public Recreation site,
2) the Anan Creek Trailhead,
3) the Anan Creek Trail, and
4) the Lower Observatory Deck (including viewing blind).
Fee Policy
Reservation Fee:
There is a $6 non-refundable reservation fee for each permit (of up to 4 people).
Recreation Fee:
The daily non-refundable pass fee is $20 per person.
Each visitor needs a day use pass. You can purchase up to 4 day use passes for yourself and others on 1 permit.
Individuals can only hold up to 3 active permits at a time with up to 4 passes on each permit.
There is a no change, no exchange, and no-show policy so you will be charged the reservation and pass fees in full. You cannot switch days after purchase.
There are only 12 (non-commercial) passes available per day and can be difficult to obtain. Book early!
These passes are only for people who will not use any type of commercial service at Anan (those arriving with their own means of transportation and/or visiting without any hired escort). Do not buy a pass on recreation.gov if you need to buy transportation. Instead, contact guide companies directly. Please visit FS Anan Wildlife Observatory for guide companies.
Cancellation Policy
All permit and reservation fees are non-refundable once purchased.
If you're unable to make it on the day of your permit, there is a no change, no exchange, and no-show policy, and you will be charged the reservation and pass fee(s) in full. There is no switching of days once purchased.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
Wrangell AK 99929
Phone Number
(907) 874-2323
