Visiting Anan, Alaska, was an experience I’ll never forget. The natural beauty here is absolutely breathtaking—towering evergreens, crystal-clear waters, and rugged wilderness as far as the eye can see. The highlight, of course, is the famous Anan Wildlife Observatory. Seeing wild black bears and brown bears fishing for salmon just a few yards away was surreal. The viewing platform felt safe yet still gave that raw, unfiltered connection to nature. The trip itself felt like stepping into another world—quiet, peaceful, and untouched by the rush of modern life. The guides were incredibly knowledgeable, sharing fascinating facts about the area’s history, wildlife, and culture. Every detail, from the boat ride in to the short hike through the lush rainforest, was unforgettable. If you love wildlife, photography, or simply want to witness Alaska’s wild heart up close, Anan should be at the top of your list. This is a once-in-a-lifetime destination that delivers more than you could imagine.

Most amazing place. Saw a lot of bears feeding on salmon. Many bald eagles were there to eat the scraps. Also saw a mamma bear with her cub. They have a blind that you can go down to creek level and take pictures. Some bears are within feet of you when they walk around the observation deck.

For us this was a life time experience to see bears up close and personal, in there natural habitat, hunting salmon was absolutely amazing, even writing these I have the jitters from the experience, that you so much to Alaska Waters, (small tours), they were a slick and very professional. The observation deck itself is located front and centre, to where the action is, stairs also take you down to the bear blind, where it gives the feeling you can almost touch them. All in all a wonderful experience.

I loved it seeing all the eagles too many to count, the 🐻 bears were so close you could almost touch them, on the trail there was a mama and her cub it was incredible 👏 I will do it again! It was a dream come true!

Oh yeah, this place was cool. Lotta bears (not on the trail tho) which is good. This place was a good refreshment from Petersburg (If ya know u know). Its real fishy over there. Anyways i love the nature and the park rangers were friendly. But, i am curious.. where do yall live? U live with the bears or something? Js wondering lmk asap. Bye. Also do u know where the hot springs are at? Tryna go there tmrw. Bye for real. (I loled when i saw the mama snatch the cub)

We took an excursion to Anan Observatory at the end of July. This was the most impressive and magical place we visited in Alaska. Due to location and limited number of visitors allowed, this is a must see if you have the opportunity. We saw black and brown bears. And cubs climbing trees next to the observation platform. The memory of this magical place will be forever

Absolutely amazing site. Park ranger helped us and informed us on all need to know. She answered all our questions...she was awesome. The viewing building is beautiful and offer incredible site to observe bears .

We went on the Anan and Stikine tours and had a wonderful time. John was an excellent, knowledgeable guide, as was Lucas, and setting everything up with Sylvia was super-easy. Really amazing experiences. Would recommend.

John and Sylvia run a very professional touring company. They are extremely knowledgeable about the area and always talk to their customers about what they are seeing and doing. They are knowledgeable and able to explain things in language easily understood. Passenger safety is always a priority. They are concerned with passengers being kind to each other. If a really super disagreeable person gets on the boat, they may return to the dock and ask that person to leave. Their trips provide experiences to areas unique to the Wrangell area - whale watching, trips to Anan for bear watching, and trips to nearby glaciers. The trips are fantastic. I would recommend Alaska Vistas to anyone coming to this area. I think they are the best!

I had the chance to board an Alaska Vistas tour speed boat on the Stikine River and get as close as possible to the glacier. It was my best memory of my time in Wrangell. Sylvia the guide gave us a lot of information about the geology of the place, the wildlife, the glacier. This person is a well of knowledge that she loves to share. The captain is completely in control of his speed boat. Alain the Frenchman.

We did 3 tours with Alaska Vistas: Marine Mammal / Whale watching, Anan Creek Bear Observatory, and LeConte Glacier. The tours themselves were fabulous because this part of the world is stunning; but the tour operator made the experience even better with their tremendous knowledge, attention to detail and amenities. The jet boats are great to travel in, and there was ample opportunity to see everything of interest on all 3 tours. John & Sylvia and their team run a top notch operation, and I would recommend their tours to anyone traveling in SE Alaska.

An absolutely first class tour. The guides were amazing. The tour was spectacular and we saw bald eagles, sea otters, sea lions and lots of whales. The boats were very comfortable, clean and very well maintained. Loved every aspect of the tour and would highly recommend.

We live part time in wrangell. Family was coming to visit the end of August. Stopped in the beginning of August and spoke to Sylvia to book a tour. She told me to wait until the week they arrive. She checked the schedule, assured me a tour would be available. The time arrived, i called and was told Alaska Vistas is done for the season. Sylvia really let us down.

Tour was safe, exciting, and relaxing all in one. Saw lots of Alaska wildlife, ice, fast river water and beach exploring. Fast stable jet boat with lots of room and comfortable seating. Great view of a massive and active eagles nest. Crew was informative with many years of experience in the area, all eager to share the history and ever changing dynamics of the Stikine River flow. Glad to have chosen Alaska Vista Tours.

Great museum within walking distance of the cruise ship dock with unexpectedly beautiful good displays. Definitely worth the visit.

We had two young guides from local tribal clans. Their insights and extra information were very interesting. Even without a guide, this museum has a lot to offer if you are interested in local history.

Very nice museum. Lots of interesting info and artifacts. Quite surprising for such a small town and well worth the entry fee

Wonderful museum. Had a new installation outside...Honeysuckle, the dancing bear. 8 foot tall and such joy!! Beautifully carved.

An extremely well done museum covering the history of this area. The displays are attractively done, well organized and contain the object kernel of detail

Nice interesting museum on the development of Wrangell. Absolutely worth a visit

Definitely worth a visit. Lots of memorabilia+ live music and nice people.

Le Conte Glacier. We had an amazing trip with Alaska Waters to Le Conte Glacier. Comfortable boat great navigational skills by the captain excellent service and information from 1st mate Tom Brown. Wine in a can certainly a first and it was very good too. When we entered the Le Conte valley and the ice was building up and up i had my doubts if we were going to reach the face of the glacier. But boy did we reach it and had an amazing display of Glacier calving. Thank you skipper. A very recommended tour can't praise the crew enough for giving us this truly amazing experience.

My cruise with Alaskan Dream Cruises stopped in Wrangell for an afternoon and did the Island Heritage Tour. Vydell was a very knowledgeable and insightful tour guide sharing the local Tlingit history, folklore, and personal stories. Our group visited the Chief Shakes Tribal House, the Wrangell Museum, and Petroglyph Beach. Thanks for such a great cultural tour.

We had the good fortune of having Vydell of Alaska Waters for our “Local Heritage” tour as part of our Viking cruise excursion in Wrangell. She is without question a master tour guide and storyteller. Her knowledge and passion made this the best tour we have been on this week. I can’t recommend this excursion enough. You will learn. You will laugh.

We were privileged and very lucky indeed to be able to see the Bears of Anan when our ship was in Wrangell, Alaska. We met our tour operator, Alaska Waters as we came up the gangway from our ship and went straight to their very fast and comfortable covered jet boat/speedboat. They did an excellent job from beginning to end. The boat ride to the drop off beach took around an hour each way and the scenery was stunning. It was a particularly low, low tide and we came in off a beach they rarely use. It was a beautiful and very pleasant boardwalk to get to the official trailhead for the bears and the two guides with us had weapons and bear spray. This is not overkill. After the Park Ranger spiel about the bears, staying in a group, not stopping and not leaving gaps in the group (we were 12 guests and 2 guides), we headed onwards on the gravel path to the bears’ area and the fenced area for visitors. When we were about 50 metres away from the gate a black bear and cub walked over the trail very close to the front of our group. Safety is absolutely paramount in this area and it seems to be an incredibly well run operation. We were fortunate to be the first visitors of the day and immediately put our names down on the sign up sheet for the lower blind. Incredible. We needed several extra sets of eyes each to take in all the splendour of the bears catching and eating salmon, right in front of us. When we came up once more to the top deck, there was still time to put our names down for a second visit - meanwhile, we were fascinated by Scuba Sue - the well known brown bear who was fishing just under the deck. We saw several black bear cubs, including one cub who cried for his mum until she came home with a salmon. We thought it would be a phenomenal experience. It ended up being 100 times better than that. By the time our group was due to leave (and we were held up 10 minutes as there was a bear and cubs right near the gate… honestly so many bears!!!) there were a lot of people on the top deck and the sign up sheet for the lower blind was causing some squabbling - so your mileage may vary - being there early was just superb. We highly recommend Alaska Waters - great job by all the guys on the boat.

Spent a week in Wrangell with a photography group. All of our excursions were with Alaska Waters - mostly to Anan and Le Conte. Every one of the employees we interacted with were great. Guides were very knowledgeable and service was perfect. The boat was comfortable and very clean. Would highly recommend and can't wait to come back!

We had an excellent tour with Vydell, a most knowledgeable and experienced guide. She did an excellent job sharing the culture, customs, and history of the Tlingit, as well as the history of Wrangell. We also appreciated her balanced discussion of the boarding schools in the area. Rubbing the petroglyph replica with native ferns was a fun experience. I highly recommend Alaska Waters Tours.

We had an Island Heritage of Tlingit tour today hosted by Vydell. It was without question the most informative and passionate tour that I have ever been on. She is amazingly knowledgeable and provides a unique and personal perspective.

WARNING: ⚠️ This area requires agility and stability in walking. The petroglyphs near the town are located at a scenic area that requires some preparation for visitors. The site features a rocky terrain with slippery and uneven surfaces, making it essential for visitors to wear appropriate walking shoes rather than sandals. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, it is recommended that visitors stay on the designated boardwalk to avoid falls. The petroglyphs are not prominently marked, so careful navigation is necessary. No maps are posted to locate them. Upon entering the beach area, visitors should head to the right of the walkway to find the petroglyphs. Petroglyphs are ancient rock carvings created by carving or pecking into rock surfaces. These intricate designs and symbols provide valuable insights into the cultures and practices of early civilizations. Petroglyphs are found in various locations worldwide, each telling a unique story about the people who created them. They often depict scenes of daily life, spiritual beliefs, and environmental interactions, offering a window into the past that enhances our understanding of historical societies. To fully appreciate the petroglyphs and their historical context, it is advisable to allocate at least 30 to 45 minutes for exploration. This will allow for a thorough viewing of the carvings and the surrounding scenic environment.

This is a unique place. Once you arrive - about a one mile hike from the cruise dock, you will see some examples of petroglyphs on the boardwalk. Some are real and some are replicas to make rubbings. But, the real fun is to explore the beach and look for the ones that are in place.

Beautiful place to enjoy the ocean! There's an island right out front with sea lions you can hear barking. Lots of cool sea glass for art projects. You can also look at the historical petroglyphs, which are images carved into the rocks. It's just an all around neat place to visit!

It's a cool place to check out the petroglyphs. It's wild to see evidence of prehistoric artwork just outside on the beach. We found 20 petroglyphs. It's a nice area to walk. The beach is interesting.

Petroglyph Beach in Wrangell, Alaska, is an amazing place to experience a mix of natural beauty and ancient history. The rocky shoreline, with its stunning views of the water and surrounding islands, is worth the trip alone — but the real treasure lies in the petroglyphs carved into the stones. The designs are weathered yet still fascinating, giving you a real sense of mystery and connection to the people who created them centuries ago. The interpretive signs are well-done, explaining the history, possible meanings, and challenges of dating these carvings. They help you appreciate the petroglyphs even more, especially since their exact age and purpose remain unknown. It’s humbling to stand where ancient artists once worked and to imagine the stories behind each design. The only reason it’s not a perfect 5 stars is that some carvings are quite faint and can be tricky to spot without the right lighting or tide conditions. Still, this is an unforgettable stop in Wrangell — a must-see for anyone interested in history, culture, and Alaska’s rugged beauty.

Such a cool experience not far from the harbor. Look on the smooth rock (not the rectangular shaped) to find the drawings. Beautiful view as well.

Spent some time looking for petroglyphs and found quite a few of them. The park is best visited at low tide so you can see more of the cravings. There is room for about 4 vehicles in the parking lot before it gets over crowded.

Our tours with John and Brenda were fantastic. They tried to make the most of our time and we had good chats together. While fishing, John was flexibel to also look for some wildlife and we were lucky to also spot an otter. The Tours with Brenda to the Bears were very informative and we had a lot of time to photograph the bears from different perspectives. We highly recommend booking tours in Wrangell with Alaska Charters and Adventures. We were happy that they also picked us up from the airport and dropped us off for our return flight.

We were absolutely thrilled by every aspect of our trip to the Anan Creek to watch the bears. From beginning to end Bob was amazing. He shared all sorts of great stories about living in Alaska, its history, and its nature as we drove out to the boardwalk. He was a steady, comforting presence as we walked the boardwalk out to the bear station. One of our members had challenges walking and he was always patient and supportive. He went above and beyond to ensure her trip was smooth. The bears were absolutely amazing. Just so stunning to see up close. There were adults, adolescents, and event moms with tiny cubs. We ended up being the last ones there and it was pure magic. Then he ensured we made it back to the boat on time without any problems at all. Yes, the bears were simply wonderful, but having Bob there with us made it even that much more special. He made us feel protected and safe. I highly recommend Bob and this organization for anybody who has any interest in seeing bears in their natural environment. I'll be posting the full set of photos on my LisaShea website shortly. Ask with any questions!

We took two trips, one up the Stikine river and the other to the Leconte glacier. Brenda and Lindsey crewed our first trip and they somehow arranged for perfect weather (low 70s and calm). The wilderness area was beautiful, we saw many eagles in their wild environment and also saw a few seals. There were multiple wonderful waterfalls, we stopped for lunch near one of them. We also went to Shakes lake and glacier and got to see some icebergs. Brenda took us to her place on the river and we ate some fresh produce we harvested from her garden. Lindsey and Ivan crewed our second trip to Petersburg and Leconte Glacier. We enjoyed the cute town of Petersburg and snacked on some delicious deserts at a local bakery. Ivan had many stories for us about the area and his history. We then went to Leconte glacier and saw so many icebergs and seals. The fast moving glacier was not active for the first couple of hours, but Lindsey hung in there and we saw lots of calving action the last hour, even got to ride through a small tidal wave. Highly recommend their tours, the are the best. Very friendly and think of everything to make your tour memorable.

Took my 75 year old MIL out with this group for the Anan Bear Observatory tour..They did excellent job with getting her off and on boat as well as ensuring she got to see the bears and wildlife..Would recommend this tour group

I went fishing with Captain John twice, once in 2017, and again in 2018. In 2018, I caught a 60 pound halibut, a 35 pound halibut, and several 10 to 12 pound coho salmon, and in the quiet spells so common when out fishing, John and I had a lot of fun telling stories and generally having a good time. He is a very friendly guy, very knowledgeable of the nature and the fishing grounds, and made those two trips as fun as is possible to have while fishing. I recommend him to anyone looking to expect great results, and to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Wrangell with. Thanks for the memories John. I look forward to fishing with you again in the future! If I could give 6 stars, I would.

One of the greatest wildlife adventures ever. And I have been all over the world.The staff made you feel like part of a family.I always knew I was in safe hands. Being a teacher I had many questions and the crew knew the answers. The bear viewing and hike to get there were awesome. The bears, oh my gosh baby bears in trees momma bears fishing.Black bears and brown bears. And the song of the eagles they were everywhere. The boat ride to the Glacier was beautiful.This was such a great trip I am planning a trip and bringing friends to go again next year during the famous BEARFEST in July.

We went kayaking and had a great time! Our two guides, Haley & Leanna were fantastic! Patient, friendly and knowledgeable. There were only three of us and it was amazing, peaceful and fun. They even had snacks at the end for us. A beautiful and leisurely time on the calm waters.

SUCH a wonderful trail! Maybe only 30 minutes up and up the beautiful boardwalk stairs to the lookout! And then another 45 if you go back and take the fork through the marsh on the gorgeous packed gravel trail. LOVED it!

Boardwalk trail can be a little dangerous in when wet. It's slippery and has steep drop offs. There is a new trail on the east side of the mountain that is a little longer but a safer hike.

Short but steep boardwalk hike above downtown Wrangell. Nice view of the harbor from the top. Worth the time! See some classic temperate rainforest vegetation.

Lovely short trail , ending with a beautifully overlook of the Town. There is a turn going back that makes this trail even more interesting and much longer, very well maintained..

Best view ever at the outlook. You can see the entire town of Wrangell. I used one hiking pole. Helped with the stairs. Lots of stairs but it is a quick hike with a big payout. Riendly advice; Don't touch the Devils club.

Great trail system. Some beautiful scenes. Outlook is a bit obstructed but still beautiful.

Seemed longer than .3 each way. Awesome trail though

Guided tour was in session when I arrived. The surrounding was pleasant despite the pouring rain.

The atmosphere in the clan house was very moving. We learned a lot about the culture and the personalities of the chief and heard stories that help us to understand the diverse nature of our country.

This is amazing trip back into time by visiting the Chief Shakes Longhouse, fascinating story into history of local natives and absolutely perfect setting for the house. I could easily feel why they chose this spot exactly, wish I could travel back in time and be there when it happened, so glad I was able to visit this place.

Could have gone looking for bears. Could have gone for a jet boat ride. Did a canoe trip and visit to Chief Shake's Longhouse instead. Am so glad we did. Learning about the Tlingit culture and seeing the trappings of this First Nation peoples was a truly unexpected pleasure. A must do.....see bears some other time.

A bit out of the way but worth the walk. The guides were great and will talk your ear off. Lovely smell of cedar inside.

Looks great after clearing up

Nice collection of totem poles.

Some friends and I went on a guided fishing trip with Night N Gale Charters. Teniya and Lynsie are the absolute best host's. We were all amazed at hard they work when on the boat. Their goal is to get fish in the boat. Teniya knows the area well and will work tirelessly at finding the fish. These guys truly are the best!

Five day fishing trip with Lindsay and Tynia great accommodations and personal one on one experience without the Lodge atmosphere. Truly a great Place to be in Wrangell Alaska. They can hook you up to see the glacier and watch the bears feeding on salmon at eye level. Truly fantastic people and have already booked our next trip for the cost of August 2021 can’t wait.

Teniya is a great fisherman and an interesting guy to spend the day with. Highly recommend!

Some friends and I went on a guided fishing trip with Night N Gale Charters. Teniya and Lynsie are the absolute best host's. We were all amazed at hard they work when on the boat. Their goal is to get fish in the boat. Teniya knows the area well and will work tirelessly at finding the fish. These guys truly are the best!

Five day fishing trip with Lindsay and Tynia great accommodations and personal one on one experience without the Lodge atmosphere. Truly a great Place to be in Wrangell Alaska. They can hook you up to see the glacier and watch the bears feeding on salmon at eye level. Truly fantastic people and have already booked our next trip for the cost of August 2021 can’t wait.

Teniya is a great fisherman and an interesting guy to spend the day with. Highly recommend!

Darkly lit, no food but you can bring food in from next door.

Bought a bottle of Captain Morgan to sneak back on the Cruise Ship....that drink package is way too expensive.

I always love going to the Totem. Mel And Jennifer are my absolute favorite and they really take care of you from the moment you walk in to the moment you walk out. Be sure to TIP your Bartenders ♡

A good place for a cold drink. The atmosphere is often dark with loud music or TV. Sports are common. The liquor store is newly remodeled and has a decent selection check sales for bargains on booze.

Drew is the bomb! Practically psychic! Memory like a steel trap, always remembers what I like. Great customer service, always paying attention...

The worst treatment I've ever had by the bartender called Jennifer. She's rude, disrespectful and even with only 5 customers she is slow obviously doesn't need tips

Great drinks 🍹, laid Back atmosphere! Never too busy, love to visit when we’re in town🐾🐾