Experience the world of the Rocky Mountain Grizzly Bear

• Watch wild and natural grizzlies fishing in our river for salmon

• Expertly-guided bear-viewing tours. Float down our magical river through bear habitat.

• Excellent meals in the main house and your own comfortable riverside cabin

• Ideal for couples or families looking to view wild grizzlies in their natural habitat

A little-known and remote valley

Our valley is one of few places in the world where you can watch totally wild grizzlies in their natural habitat.

They come down from the mountains and feast on the salmon that come up our river.

Unlike the large popular national parks, where each bear attracts a cluster of onlookers, our valley is remote and little known.

A very personal experience

We limit the numbers of guests to make sure the experience remains personal and to minimise our impact on the environment.

Our guides are highly-experienced and certified and we are proud of them. You will have a maximum of four guests to one guide.

As well as grizzlies, the valley in autumn is home to hundreds of bald eagles who come to feed on the fish. You may also see black bears.

Grizzlies in their natural setting

The bears you will see are totally natural. You should not expect to see a multitude of bears feeding in one place (with a bank of tourists or photographers looking on).

Some bear-viewing operations habituate bears to humans. It is frequently these that are shown on wildlife videos and documentaries.

We prefer to view totally wild bears in their natural wilderness setting using our 4x4s, river rafts, and conditions permitting, on foot.

We do not use fixed viewing platforms. Instead we will move through the bears’ world, using our intimate knowledge of bear behaviour to keep you safe.

Real and Rewarding

Many of our guests have come away with excellent photographs, but we do not recommend our holidays to those for whom photography is their overwhelming priority.

For us the experience of watching the bears will always take precedence.

Because our bears are totally wild there is always a chance you will come away empty-handed, although more than 97 percent of our guests in the autumn have seen bears during their stay.

All the photos on this website have been taken at or around the ranch since 2006.

 

Safety around bears

Bears are not usually dangerous if sensible precautions are taken. We have never had an attack or a close encounter. Like any wilderness activity, however, there are inherent risks.

We follow a set of established bear-viewing protocols under the careful guidance of one of Canada’s top bear biologists.

Your guides carry bear-deterrent. You will be briefed in bear safety during your stay at the ranch.

Grizzly Bear Ranch is a member of the British Columbia Commercial Bear Viewing Association, an organisation which is responsible for promoting safe viewing and bear conservation.

Autumn itinerary

Your day of bear-viewing at the ranch typically begins with an early coffee before we head out.

Equipped with cameras and binoculars you will travel with a trained and certified bear guide.

We typically return to the ranch mid-morning for breakfast.

Tracks, day beds and bear paths

We may also take you on middle-of-the-day tours to show you  tracks, bear paths, day beds and the salmon that are the bears’ main autumn food source.

We will also take one or more bear-viewing trips by raft down our river. This is a chance to enter the bears’ world at their level and often gives for excellent and intimate viewing.

You may also see a beaver, moose, elk, white-tailed deer, mule deer, porcupine, coyote and even, very occasionally, a grey wolf, cougar or bobcat.

What you can expect

Your stay will include:

• Several guided grizzly-viewing trips

• One or more guided walks through grizzly habitat

• A talk on grizzlies and black bears in our area

• One or more scenic rafting trips down our river

• Extensive literature and information on grizzly and black bears

• Comfortable accommodation in riverside cabins and first-class cooking

 

Pricing

A four-night grizzly-viewing holiday in September or October costs between C$1,400 and C$2,100 per person plus taxes. The price is based on double occupancy.

 

Grizzly Bear Ranch is a really special place in so many ways. We have stayed at the Ranch three years running and will definitely be returning again. Our experience each and every time has been breathtaking. The cabin that we stayed in was perfect with beautiful views, comfy bed and lots of little extras to make you feel welcome and at home, every little detail has been thought of. The location of the Ranch is excellent with a river running past your cabin and mountain views in every direction. We saw lots of bears, some with cubs which was really special, it was also so great to see them in their natural habitat without any human interference.” Jon, Leicester, UK. To read more of our reviews on Trip Advisor click here.