I would say that the thing most visitors to Alaska are excited about is seeing wildlife. I don’t blame them, because I get so jazzed whenever I see a bear or moose no matter how many I’ve seen. I’ve put together a checklist of the wildlife in Alaska for you to know what to watch for and suggestions of where to see it. I know that not every Alaska trip is going to visit all parts of the state, but whatever you don’t cross off you can plan another visit to see next time!
If you have any questions about wildlife in Alaska or need photography tips, please leave a comment or send us a note. I’m very passionate about animals and making sure my kids get to experience wildlife in its natural habitat, so have a lot to share on the topic!
Alaska Wildlife Checklist
I would say that any trip to Alaska should include at least one adventure with the goal of seeing wildlife. If that means that you’re booking a glacier cruise to see whales or you’re doing a Denali National Park tour, there’s got to be something on your itinerary that focuses on wildlife. Luckily, Alaska is full of amazing animals so you’ll probably get to see wildlife without even trying! Below you’ll find suggestion for where to see Alaska wildlife, including specific tours that usually have successful sightings.
Here’s our Alaska wildlife checklist so you can try to see as many animals as possible. Download here!
Large Land Mammals
Of all the Alaska wildlife, I think most people are hopeful to see some of these large mammals when they’re here. For sure you have a great chance of seeing bears and moose, but maybe not with every visit or every place you’re expecting to see them. For examples, I’ve had times where I’ve been hiking in Denali National Park and not seen a single bear, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. You just have to be patient and maybe next time you’ll see one.
Bears in Alaska
I love seeing bears in Alaska; they’re one of my favorite types of wildlife. Yes, bears can be dangerous, but most often you won’t have a dangerous encounter if you’re observing them from a safe distance. If you’re hiking on your own, sometimes bear spray is a good idea to carry, but most people visiting Alaska won’t need bear spray for their standard adventures.
Brown Bear – You can see Alaskan Brown Bears all over the state. When they’re within 60 miles of the coast and primarily eat salmon, they’re call Alaskan Brown Bears, but once you’re further inland and their diet/behaviors are notably different, they are then called Grizzly Bears. Grizzlies are what they’re called in the mainland USA and Canada as well. Alaskan Brown Bears are best seen in Katmai National Park, especially at Brooks Falls, and in Lake Clark National Park. If you’re doing an Alaska road trip, stop at Russian River Falls on the Kenai Peninsula for hopeful bear viewing.
Black Bear – Commonly found on the Kenai Peninsula and Southeast Alaska, the black bear is usually smaller than the brown bear. These guys are more cranky and even though I have come across many bears while hiking in my life, black bears are the ones that make me nervous. They are more curious than brown bears and that trips me out. In Alaska I’ve actually seen more black bears from boats than while hiking.
Polar Bear – The most difficult of the bears to see, you’ll need to travel to the North Slope to Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow) or Kaktovik and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. While you can get up to Utqiagvik for not too much, getting to Kaktovik is very expensive, and then once there the actual polar bear viewing experience is quite costly. How amazing to get to see polar bears though! The best times to see polar bears are fall through spring, but it’s easiest when they’re still onshore.
Hooved Wildlife in Alaska, aka Ungulates
Besides bears, moose seem to be the big ticket wildlife for first time (or 50th time) visitors to Alaska. I get it, they’re really cool… but there are other animals you might not have thought you could see here that you need to watch for. Did you know that there are mountain goats in Alaska? It’s true and I’ll tell you where to see them!
Moose – Best seen in Alaska’s Interior (Denali National Park), Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula, there are LOTS of moose in Alaska. It might sound strange, but one of the best places to see moose is actually on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail in Anchorage. This is a long biking trail on the edge of the city and it’s full of moose. The Parks Highway on the route to Denali NP and then once you’re in the park are both excellent places to just happen upon moose. Keep your eyes peeled!
Caribou – Found in Gates of the Arctic National Park, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and Denali National Park (and other places) caribou are really cool. I love seeing them in herds, but sometimes you’ll see just one or two. If you’re not going as far as the Arctic Circle, don’t worry. You can also see caribou on the plateaus along the Parks and Glenn Highways. PS: reindeer are actually domesticated caribou. If you don’t see any in the wild, stop into the Reindeer Farm in Palmer to see them up close.
Dall Sheep – Often seen in Denali National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Dall Sheep are typically BRIGHT white against the cliffs they hang out on. I’ve never seen more than 7 or 8 Dall sheep together, but lots of pairs of them. You can spot them climbing seemingly steep rock walls and along the bottoms of cliffs. A great place to watch for them is on the drive from Anchorage to Whittier on the Seward Highway, as Dall sheep like to look out across Turnagain Arm.
Mountain Goats – Each time I see mountain goats in Alaska I am surprised, as I forget that they live here too. Unlike the mountain goats you see in Glacier National Park in Montana that are very much accustomed to humans, in Alaska they do not stick around for photos. You’ve got better luck seeing them on cliffsides during trips through remote stretches of Alaska. I’ve seen them in Glacier Bay National Park when we did an UnCruise in Southeast Alaska, on the cliffs around Knik Glacier (Palmer) and even on the Kenai Peninsula.
Rare Mammals to Watch For
Just because an animal is rarely seen it doesn’t mean that you won’t see it. It’s always worth being hopeful when it comes to seeing every sort of wildlife in Alaska. If you get to see one of these beautiful creatures during your Alaska trip, you’ll get to tell the story for years to come.
Red and Arctic Foxes – I have seen my fair share of foxes in Alaska. Most often I’ve seen them in Denali National Park, but I’ve also seen them on the outskirts of Fairbanks and in the MatSu Valley, both around Palmer and Wasilla. One of the best ways to spot a fox is to keep your eyes peeled around rocky spots in the middle of grassy/tundra areas. They make dens and I’ve often seen the foxes within about 50 yards of their homes.
Wolf – Harder to spot, but found in Denali National Park, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (and the areas between), wolves are much larger than foxes. I’ve never gotten to see one in the wild here (I’ve seen them in Montana and Wyoming). Of all the Alaska wildlife, the wolf is the one that’s alluded me. If you come across a wolf in the wild, they will probably take off running before you can even snap a photo, but treat them as a dangerous animal, not like a golden retriever puppy.
Lynx – I’ve seen a lynx ONCE and it was awesome! More than 20 years ago I was lucky enough to get to do Road Lottery into Denali National Park at the end of the season and the snow had already fallen. We were near the front of the lottery line just before the Toklat River, stopped. All of the sudden a lynx blasted through the snow bank directly next to us and was startled just as much as we were. We weren’t able to even get a photo he was gone so quickly.
You can see lynx all around Alaska though, not just in the National Parks. The Knik River Valley is a great place to keep your eyes peeled for lynx, as well as the area from Glenallen to Tok (if you’re on an Alaska Highway road trip). Heck, even all around Anchorage you can keep an eye out for lynx, but you’re more likely in the winter to see them than summer.
Muskox – Found primarily on Seward Peninsula and around Nome, musk ox are shaggy, cool animals. They like to stay in the far reaches of Alaska. I’ve seen two once upon a time, and they were very much out of place as they were in Denali National Park. The rangers couldn’t even believe what we were looking at. If you’re visiting Nome or get to spend time in Kobuk Valley or Gates of the Arctic National Parks, hopefully you’ll get to see some musk ox there.
TIP: in Palmer you can actually see musk ox up close at the Musk Ox Farm. They raise them, harvest their qiviut (wool) and you can learn all about them there.
Marine Wildlife in Alaska
Since so many people visit Alaska for the first time on a cruise ship, it’s likely that their first encounters with Alaska wildlife are on the water. There is some amazing marine life that calls Alaska home, and with so many creatures migrating to the Gulf of Alaska to feed in the summer, you will be absolutely floored by what you can see. If you’re not visiting via cruise ship but still want to make sure you see whales and the like, you can very easily book a boat tour from Whittier, Seward, Juneau or any other port. Get out there!!!
Whales in Alaska
Humpback Whale – Often seen in Glacier Bay and Kenai Fjords National Parks and the Inside Passage, humpback whales are one of the most fun marine mammals to watch. They love to breech (jump) and slam their flukes (tails). They are really cool to see bubble net feeding. I never get tired of seeing humpback, and I’d say they’re some of the coolest Alaska wildlife to spot.
Orca (Killer Whale) – Best viewed in Prince William Sound, Kenai Fjords National Park and Southeast Alaska orcas have a really broad range. They are some of the first to arrive in early spring and the last to leave in the fall. If you get to see an orca breech, it’s one of the coolest, because they are huge but also agile like dolphins. We’ve watched transient orca pods hunt sea lions in Resurrection Bay, which is really cool, but that’s not the most common behavior to observe. Orcas aren’t shy, so hopefully you’ll get to see them being social and fun during your trip.
Beluga Whale – I think a lot of people dream of seeing beluga whales in Alaska, but think it’s not possible. I will say, the best places to see LOTS of belugas are going to be the more remote areas of the Aleutian Islands and up the Bering Strait, but you can also see them in the Anchorage area. Best viewed in Turnagain Arm (near Anchorage on the Seward Highway) and in the Cook Inlet as a whole, belugas look like chunks of ice surfacing and disappearing. In September you can often see them following in the last of the salmon runs and actually just watch them from the show, either on the Arm or just from the Anchorage Small Boat Launch at Ship Creek.
Bowhead Whale – To see Bowhead Whales you need to go up to the Arctic Circle and head out on a boat. These cold-water-loving whales are really cool to see, but are a rare sight. I’ve never seen one but hopefully will get to cross it off my Alaska wildlife list soon!
Porpoises and Dolphins in the Fjords
Not every marine mammal in Alaska is a “big ticket” creature. I love seeing any wildlife, but actually do get excited to see dolphins and porpoises when I’m on a boat in AK.
Pacific White-sided Dolphins – Do you expect to see dolphins when you come up here? One of the lesser seen types of Alaska wildlife, there are indeed dolphins in the Gulf of Alaska. On more than a few occasions I’ve gotten to see Pacific White-sided Dolphins in Kenai Fjords National Park. Once I even got to see two pods merge to bring hundreds of them together and it was amazing!
Harbor and Dall Porpoises – You’ll also be able to see two different types of porpoises when you visit Alaska, all the way from Ketchikan up to Nome. Harbor porpoises are really common in the Pacific Ocean, including down in Puget Sound near Seattle. They are small and tend to show up and follow at a distance. Dall’s porpoises are really cool though and they love to play in the wake of large boats. They’re tricky to photograph though, so getting high speed video and lifting images from that is easier to get a good picture.
Cute Marine Mammals to See
My kids love cute animals (I do too). There is plenty of Alaska wildlife that falls into the cute category, and several species happen to be marine mammals. You’ll see plenty of these guys all along the Alaska coast from Seward to Ketchikan, from the edge of Cook inlet through the Aleutian Islands.
Sea Otter – Found all throughout the Alaska coast, but particularly numerous along the Kenai Peninsula, particularly near Homer and Seward, sea otters are cute and really fun to watch. In Southeast Alaska, due to the many sheltering islands, you’ll find larger groups of otters, including lots of babies in spring. Be quick to spot them though, because sea otters don’t tend to stick around when boats get near them.
Steller Sea Lion – You’ll find sea lions all throughout the Pacific Ocean, but when you get to Alaska the species you see in the Steller Sea Lion. Seen in great quantities around Kenai Fjords and Glacier Bay National Parks and Kodiak Island, these are the sea lions that growl. The California Sea Lion (think Pier 39 in San Francisco) tend to bark loudly, but the Stellar Sea Lion loves to do long, low growls.
Harbor Seal – Commonly seen… everywhere. Well, not everywhere in Alaska, but wherever there is clear water and lots of fish, you’ll likely see harbor seals. One of my favorite habitats to see harbor seals are actually in front of tidewater glaciers. They tend to haul out on the icebergs and are super cute.
Can I see Walruses and Narwhals in Alaska?
That’s a great question. Yes, you can see walruses in several areas along the Aleutian Islands and in the Bering Strait, but it’s a very remote and expensive experience. For a 2-4 day experience it’ll cost you from $2000-$5000 for the transportation, lodging and guide services. Access to Walrus Island (Round Island) or other refuge areas is very remote and very few guide permits are held for these adventures.
When it comes to narwhals, YES! You can see them in the northernmost stretches of Alaska. If you fly to Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow) you just might be lucky enough to see narwhals. They stay up in the Arctic in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. From land you may be able to see them from Point Barrow in Utqiaġvik, or you can go out on a boat safari to look for them… but they are truly a bonus and NOT a common/easy sighting.
Beautiful Birds of Alaska
I was a birder before I got into ALL wildlife. Alaska’s birds are beautiful and make for fun wildlife spotting wherever you are. Of course people think of bald eagles when they hear somebody talk about Skagway or Juneau, but there are actually lots of unique birds to see all around the state. Keep in mind that juvenile birds can look quite different from their mature species-mates. For example, young bald eagles look very similar to golden eagles, but they are very much NOT the same. (juvenile bald eagles pictured for example).
Birds of Pray in Alaska
Birds of pray tend to be pretty large and dramatic, so they are a big draw for visitors on an Alaska trip. Keep an eye out for more than bald eagles when you come for a visit, because you may be surprised what else you see.
Bald Eagle – Abundant in Southeast Alaska and Prince William Sound, but seen really all around AK, the bald eagles is probably the most abundant of the large birds you’ll see. Sometimes you see bald eagles swooping down to catch a fish and sometimes you’ll see tons of them lining the riverbanks all eating tired salmon on the end of their run. There is no shortage when it comes to seeing bald eagles in Alaska.
Golden Eagle – Best seen in Denali National Park and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, golden eagles are BIG. I was doing some off-trail hiking in Denali National Park when I saw a golden eagle approaching from a distance, and even though he turned before getting close to me, his size was impressive!
Hawk Owl – I didn’t know that the hawk owl would become my new favorite type of owl. They’re found in Denali National Park and along river valleys in Interior Alaska, and are much smaller than the more common barred or great horned owls. Hawk owls have the coolest faces and are kind of curious about humans. I’ve seen several and they’re always interested in what I’m doing in the wilderness.
Snowy Owl – While they are located all around Alaska, the famous snowy owl is best seen in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and areas around Utqiaġvik (Barrow). These REALLY remote areas are great for the snowy owl because they’re one of the most skittish of owls. You may see them in Denali and around Fairbanks, but you’ll have better chances if you can do some remote exploring.
Steller Sea Eagle – While a very rare sight in Alaska, the Steller Sea Eagle sometimes flies across the Bering Sea and can be seen in Alaska and across Canada as far as Maine. I’ve never seen one here, but it’s at the top of my Alaska wildlife bucket list.
Iconic Alaska Birds to See
We’ve come to the last section of Alaska wildlife to see! I think small birds or even more common birds are still fun to watch for. Some of these Alaskan birds you can just see off the road if you’re doing an Alaska road trip, and then others you need to do a boat tour or go hiking to see. You’ll love the adventure of birdwatching here in AK!
Puffins, Horned and Tufted – Puffins will always have a special place in my heart. When I first moved to Alaska, one of the first things I got to do as a tourist was visit Kenai Fjords National Park to see puffins. It was amazing and I’ve been in love with them ever since. In Alaska you’ll find two types of puffin: horned and tufted. They look very different, so watch for both! In Glacier Bay National Park I’ve only seen tufted puffins, but I hear there are the other variety there as well.
In Kenai Fjords National Park and in Prince William Sound I’ve seen both horned and tufted puffins. I’ve got to say that while I love the yellow crown the tufted puffin has, the horned puffin is much more cute. I love their eyes and how they fly. Both are an absolute treat to see and some of my favorite Alaska wildlife.
Trumpeter Swans – Remember, just in case you’re hiking and you come across some trumpeter swans, SWANS ARE MEAN. You may see them all over both the Interior and the coastal areas of Alaska, but they are not akin to human interaction and they will get you. I’m more scared of trumpeter swans than Dall sheep or mountain goats. They’re beautiful though and fun to watch from afar. The Kenai Peninsula is an awesome place to see them, from Tern Lake to Trail Lake, you’ll likely see them from early summer into early fall.
Arctic Terns – When I was a drive guide in Alaska I always loved talking to guests about Arctic Terns because they have a cool story. Every year they fly around 25k miles as they migrate from the north to the south and back. They cover so much ground and are fun to watch when they get to Alaska. They do a great job helping manage the mosquito population.
Willow Ptarmigan – The Alaska State Bird, the willow ptarmigan is cute and beautiful. Alaskans call it the “tundra chicken” but it’s a cool bird. In summer they’re brown and white with a little black, but then in winter they turn nearly completely white. You’ll see them in valley and on hillsides all around the Interior of Alaska, and especially in Denali National Park.
Are there Penguins in Alaska?
My sweet summer child, no. Penguins live south of the equator from Peru and Ecuador to Antarctica. In Alaska you’ll find puffins (like we talked about above) and guillemots (they kind of look like penguins, pictured below) but no penguins. There are lots of similarities between puffins and penguins, but the biggest difference is probably that penguins can’t fly but puffins can. I think there are some great places in Alaska to see beautiful, pelagic sea birds, but penguins aren’t one of the species you’ll see.
Photography Gear Recommendations
Before jumping into cameras, let me start by saying that I am NOT a technical photographer but have worked professional as a photographer since 1997 with my first job being a photographer’s assistant and having my first wildlife photography piece published that same year. So, I’ve been doing this a while and ultimately I believe that you can do great things with nearly any equipment. Yes, the fancier and more expensive stuff is great, but you don’t have to drop thousands of dollars to capture amazing photos.
As you look at my recommendations, keep in mind that most cameras can be upgraded with good lenses. The key thing to do with any gear though is to read actual reviews from users versus looking only at manufacturer camera specs.
Camera Bodies for Amateur or Professional Use
Budget option: I’ve had a variety of cameras over the years, but my favorite and the one that I use for both hobby and professional photography is the Canon Rebel T7i. It’s a solid, hardy DSLR camera that does very well for travel, wildlife and even portrait photography. I’ve had other Canon Rebels in the past and they’ve always been great. Get my exact camera here!
Spendy but great: If you’re thinking about a mirrorless camera, the Canon EOS R6 does an amazing job. It’s fast with impressive photo clarity, and it’s remarkably quiet, especially in comparison to my DSLR camera. When it comes to an affordable camera in the land of insane mirrorless costs, the Canon EOS R6 is the best combination of cost and quality. Mirrorless cameras that are worth investing in start at around $2000 USD, so if you’re ready to take that plunge, it’s worth it to get something that matches quality and cost. Get the Canon EOS R6 here!
Telephoto Lens Recommendations
Before you get all shopping happy, keep in mind that not every lens is interchangeable with every brand of camera or model. There are specific lenses for specific brands and models and YOU MUST look at the lens details to confirm that the lens is compatible with your camera body. And also remember that some lenses might be compatible with “model x4” (as an example) but then the camera might be a “model x4A” or something.
With my Canon Rebel T7i I use three basic lenses: wide angle (basic), 250mm and a 600mm. I would love to have an 800mm but we’re talking about a heavy and expensive lens at that point. I use the wide angle for landscape, macro and easy shot framing. I use the 250mm for fast wildlife shots, distant landscapes and close range wildlife photography. This is my 250mm lens for my Canon Rebel T7i.
My favorite lens is my 600mm. I use this for shooting anything that’s awesome and that I want good close ups of. There are several settings on my lens that I don’t use, so I have it set just how I like it. It’s been a great lens for birdwatching and getting amazing wildlife shots in National Parks. Get the Sigma 600mm here!
Favorite Binoculars for Wildlife Watching
Sometimes you don’t want to be stuck behind a camera snapping photos the whole day, and when that’s the case a good set of binoculars can be just as satisfying. We always have at least one pair of binoculars with us, but more often we have a large pair and a small pair. Traveling with kids, it’s important to have a set that’s easy for them to use and allows them to see wildlife easily.
The best binoculars we’ve ever use, and we first came across them during our trip to the Peruvian Amazon, is the Vortex Diamondback. These are nice, small binoculars that are incredibly clear with great magnification. They run around $200 but are really hardy and do an incredible job. Get the Vortex Diamondback binoculars here!
I hope you’re excited to come to Alaska and look for wildlife. I love seeing any type of animal, but the creatures you’ll see from Southeast Alaska into the Arctic Circle are very special to me. If you have any questions about wildlife watching, need recommendations for where to see something specific, or just have questions about planning a trip to Alaska, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to help and to share more!
