Alaska Bear Guides
Meet Charlie Summerville — Alaskan Bush Pilot & Bear Guide
Alaskan bush pilot and veteran bear guide Charlie Summerville began exploring Volcano Bay in the mid-1990s, flying in with his first airplane—a Piper PA-20 fitted with tundra tires. From his base in Cold Bay, Alaska, Charlie would guide one or two guests each day into the untouched wilderness to photograph coastal brown bears and fly fish for wild salmon in nearby streams.
In the late 1990s, Charlie’s passion for Alaska’s wild beauty caught national attention when he co-hosted and guided two television series with Gander Mountain, highlighting the spectacular landscapes of Volcano Bay and Cold Bay. By 2007, always looking for the next frontier, he began pioneering remote regions across Alaska, including Adak Island in the western Aleutians. Though he stepped away from Volcano Bay for a time, he never stopped dreaming of returning.
That dream came true in 2017, just one year after selling his ATA Lodge in Katmai National Park. Charlie returned to Volcano Bay, wondering if the place still held the same magic. It did—and more.
In 2020, Charlie negotiated the purchase of the only private parcel of land in Volcano Bay, an exclusive wilderness property surrounded by over 32,000 acres of protected land. With no other access points and no neighboring camps, this land became the foundation for what would soon become a truly unique Alaskan wilderness camp.
By 2022, construction began. Together with his family and a dedicated team of bear guides, Charlie built Volcano Bay Wilderness Camp—a small, eco-friendly retreat that now welcomes up to six guests per week for immersive wildlife experiences. Their second cabin was completed in 2023, increasing comfort while preserving the intimacy of the experience.
The story of Volcano Bay Wilderness Camp was captured on camera for Season 1 of Life on the Edge, aired on the Outdoor Channel. Season 2, filmed during the summer of 2023, is scheduled to air in fall 2024, offering a behind-the-scenes look at life and adventure in one of Alaska’s most remote and unspoiled regions.
A Family-Built Legacy in the Alaskan Wild
Volcano Bay Wilderness Camp is a family-led passion project—built by hand, sustained by heart, and shared with the small number of guests lucky enough to visit. On July 1, 2022, Charlie and his team broke ground on the camp, launching a new era of eco-conscious travel and bear viewing in Alaska.
Every visitor to Volcano Bay walks away with more than just photos. They leave with a renewed sense of awe, a connection to something ancient and wild, and a personal experience many describe as spiritual, grounding, and transformative.
If you’re seeking a wildlife adventure that combines comfort, solitude, and once-in-a-lifetime encounters with Alaska’s most iconic species, Volcano Bay—and Charlie Summerville—are ready to welcome you.
