Wildlife
Anan Bear and Wildlife Observatory is one of Alaska’s prime bear-watching spots. Over July and August, black and brown bears come to Anan Creek, which has the largest pink salmon run in southeast Alaska, to feast on the bounty and fatten up for the coming winter. Anan is located about 45 minutes by boat south of Wrangell. There is a half mile trail leading to the observation deck which was developed by the US Forest Service and overlooks cascading falls allowing visitors to watch the bears up close catching salmon to eat. Guides charted in town will transport you to the site and escort you to the observation area and help you with permitting requirements.
The Stikine River delta is haven to migrating birds in the Spring and fall, including tundra (whistling) swans, Canadian geese, sandhill cranes, mergansers, waterfowl and over 200,000 shorebirds. In April, the largest concentration of bald eagles in the world occurs when as many as 1600 arrive to feast on the annual hooligan fish run. Also following the hooligans are seals and sea lions. In late April, 8000 to 10,000 snow geese stop on their migration north.