Wild Encounters: Brown Bears and Wolves of Volcano Bay
This season, Volcano Bay has come alive like never before. With over 30 brown bears thriving in their natural habitat, the landscape pulses with wild energy and wonder. Among the highlights are sows with cubs—none more memorable than Sunshine and her playful yearlings, Ringo and Star.
Sunshine has grown especially comfortable near our camp, often leading her cubs into the thick alder brush just beyond the tents. Some mornings, you can spot the trio from just across the lagoon—tumbling, climbing, and testing the boundaries of their small, wild world.
They’re not alone. Three other curious cubs have been seen exploring the shoreline on their own, while another devoted mother gently ushers her cubs through the daily trials of wilderness life. Earlier this season, we observed a sow with two young bears starting their journey toward independence—an emotional and powerful reminder of nature’s endless cycles.
At Volcano Bay, you’re not just observing bears—you’re stepping into their world.
Though typically solitary, brown bears gather here thanks to the area’s rich supply of food. During the season, they converge along the water’s edge to fish, forage, and raise their young in relative safety. Female bears begin mating at around four to six years old and rear their cubs with fierce protection and tenderness.
Born tiny—just half a pound—in winter dens, cubs emerge in spring weighing between four to eight pounds. Over the course of two years, they learn everything they need to survive: how to fish, forage, find shelter, and navigate a wilderness full of challenges. Life here is beautiful—but it’s never easy. Harsh weather, hungry predators like wolves, and the constant unpredictability of the wild test their resilience at every turn.
To witness these bears thriving against the odds is both humbling and unforgettable. Imagine standing at the edge of the lagoon, watching as a bear, shimmering with water droplets, emerges from the current clutching a salmon in its jaws. The golden light of the Alaskan sun sets the scene—untouched, unfiltered, and utterly breathtaking.
But bears aren’t the only apex predators calling Volcano Bay home.
In addition to its thriving bear population, Volcano Bay is home to a growing community of Alaskan wolves. These elusive, intelligent animals are regularly spotted by our guests—often in groups of one to four—traversing the lagoon or moving through the nearby forests.
Seeing bears and wolves coexist, peacefully sharing the same space, is a rare and moving experience. The abundance of salmon here supports not just the bears, but also the wolf pups, providing the rich nourishment they need to grow strong and healthy.
Wolves of Alaska
With an estimated 7,000 to 11,000 wolves across the state, Alaska remains a sanctuary for this species. Unlike many places in North America, wolves here have never been threatened or endangered. They continue to thrive in the state’s vast and untamed wilderness, living as they have for millennia—free, wild, and mysterious.
Meet the Pack
Over time, we’ve come to recognize a few unique individuals within the local pack:
Scar Face – A seasoned adult male with a distinct scar on his shoulder, a sign of past trials and survival.
Storm – A striking adolescent with nearly white fur, often described by guests as something out of a fantasy novel.
Their presence adds depth to the experience of Volcano Bay—reminding us that we’re visitors in a world still ruled by instinct, by nature, and by the untamed spirit of the wild.
Experience It for Yourself. Volcano Bay offers more than a wildlife tour. It’s an immersion. A journey. A front-row seat to one of the last truly wild places on Earth.
Come walk the edge of the lagoon. Hear the call of eagles overhead. Watch wolves move like shadows through the trees and bears teach their young the skills of survival.
This isn’t just a trip—it’s a story you’ll tell for the rest of your life.