Bear Camp 2026
October 9-13th
COME WITH ME
Every year, as the warm summer starts to mature, this epic saga creaks into action again. The salmon that have been patrolling the deep Pacific for the last four years, gathering vital nutrients the whole time, begin to feel a burning pull to make one of the most arduous migrations of any animal. It is a migration that will not only ensure the survival of their species but also feed the animals and forests that call the Pacific Northwest home.
In late summer the salmon start to gather in the shallow water of the Fraser estuary. Already they have to contend with sea lions, seals and orcas, as well as the more opportunistic eagles, and this is only the start of their journey.
Moving into early autumn, they begin to break through the boundary between the ocean and the river, and once they cross that line there is no going back. Their bodies start to shut down. They will never eat again, completing the whole journey on stored energy alone. They swim 650km up the Fraser, dodging predators and pushing upstream, up rapids, up waterfalls, up anything the river can throw at them, until they reach the exact place they spawned four years before. Scientists think they return to within metres, or even centimetres of where they were born.
Spaces are kept deliberately small, and that is a big part of why these trips work. When we are out with the bears there is hardly anyone else around, just our little group and the animals. So much of what gets called wilderness these days comes with crowds, vehicles and a row of other lenses pointed at the same thing. This is not that. Out here it is genuinely quiet, genuinely remote and, unlike a lot of places, still genuinely wild, and that is exactly what makes it worth the effort to reach.
What is bear camp
Sheltered by the Pacific Coast Mountain Ranges, deep in the unspoiled raw wilderness of British Columbia, and protected by the vast terrain of the Tsilhqot’in (Chilcotin) First Nation People, lies Bear Camp. Forged out of Douglas Fir timbers and perched at the juncture of Chilko Lake and the Chilko River, it was originally built 1954 as a hunting & fishing camp, but has since been re-created into a wild, world-class adventure and wildlife-viewing destination.
Bear Camp comprises of a 630ft walkway where we our African safari tents all have exceptional lake views. We then have a long table log cabin where communal food is served as well as a bar area, coffee station and sitting area in front of a fire. Bears are often viewed walking past the windows as we sit and talk in the mornings / evenings.
Grizzlies don’t climb, so never venture onto the walkway, though it gives an amazingly immersive experience to have bears padding up and down the shoreline beneath the walkway giving us increible viewing and photography opportunities.
September, October and November Bear Camp offers arguably the best bear viewing in Canada.
The main reason for this is the huge influx of bears, concentrated into a tiny area with very low human habitation. Whilst bears are always around and possible to see, we usually drift down the river on small jet boats (3 to a boat and low to the water for eye level contact) as bears catch salmon and feed on either side giving us a great perspective, ideal for viewing and photography.
We then jet back up the river and gently drift down again. This allows the bears space to feed and go about their day with minimal impact and it allows us to reposition for lighting and search for other bears that have shown up. Our rule is always to act ethically towards the bears, giving them space and time, this is not only good for the bears, but gives you much better opportunities for image making and viewing the bears are calm and not under pressure.
This is an intensive trip and the plan is that you hit the ground running. I share all my tips and techniques, that I have learned and trialled over 6 seasons, on how to work the landscape to your advantage in order to create the perfect images this way you can start to create a portfolio of work from the moment you land.
There is other incredible wildlife that congregate around the river from Ospreys to Eagles, Kingfishers, Foxes and more. Lots of wildlife to see and photograph!
Getting here
Getting to Bear Camp is as beautiful and exhilarating as spending time there.
When conditions allow, we fly in on a small float plane. Taking off from Vancouvers South Terminal we traverse the key ecosystems of the PNW as we travel to Chilko. Watching for whales in Howe Sound, flying over the glaciers, ice fields and ice caves of pemberton and the coast mountains, then dropping down over the azure waters of Chilko lake before watching the salmon and bears part as we land in front of your safari tent.
The flight is included in your trip cost and is truly one of the most beautiful highlights of the trip.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1
11:00 - Meet at the float plane terminal around Vancouver BC and fly to Chilko (1.5-2hrs weather depending)
13:00 - Check into your accommodation. Safety orientation + meet and greet of staff and guides over a hot lunch served in the long table.
14:00 - Head out onto the river for an afternoon session of bear and wildlife viewing.
18:00 - Appies, Cocktails and chats about bears, photography, wildlife, light etc..
19:00 - First of many feasts served on the long table family style.
Day 2
07:00 - Coffee / Tea / Hot Chocolate delivered to your tent
08:00 - Hot breakfast served on the long table family style.
09:00 - Head out onto the river for a morning of wildlife viewing.
13:00 - Hot lunch served on the long table
14:00 - Afternoon session of wildlife viewing or other activities if you choose.
18:00 - Appies, Cocktails and conversation.
19:00 - Dinner is served on the long table
There are many other activities to do at Bear Camp aside from wildlife viewing. Bear Camp operates nearly year round as a multisport camp, with fishing, kayaking, SUP, hiking, mountain biking and drift boating. Any of these activities are available on request and all of them offer the chance of wildlife viewing as well.
Day 3
07:00 - Coffee / Tea / Hot Chocolate delivered to your tent
08:00 - Hot breakfast served on the long table family style.
09:00 - Head out onto the river for a morning of wildlife viewing.
13:00 - Hot lunch served on the long table
14:00 - Afternoon session of wildlife viewing or other activities if you choose.
18:00 - Appies, Cocktails and conversation.
19:00 - Dinner is served on the long table
Day 4
07:00 - Coffee / Tea / Hot Chocolate delivered to your tent
08:00 - Hot breakfast served on the long table family style.
09:00 - Head out onto the river for a morning of wildlife viewing.
13:00 - Hot lunch served on the long table
14:00 - Afternoon session of wildlife viewing or other activities if you choose.
18:00 - Appies, Cocktails and conversation.
19:00 - Dinner is served on the long table
Day 5
07:00 - Coffee / Tea / Hot Chocolate delivered to your tent
08:00 - Hot breakfast served on the long table family style.
09:00 - Head out onto the river for a morning of wildlife viewing.
12:00 - Hot lunch served on the long table
13:00 - Scenic flight back to Vancouver, arriving around 15:00 weather depending
Whats Included
Float plane charter from Vancouver - A scenic flight up the Pacific Coastline and Howe Sound heading into the Coast Mountains and across the glaciers and ice fields before dropping down into the azure waters of Chilko. Watch the salmon part as the plane lands you in front of your new home, Bear Camp
5 days of activities at Bear Camp - 3 people per viewing boat, low to the water gently drifting downstream watching bears as they catch salmon and feast along side a plethora of bird species and other wildlife framed by the golden hues of a canadian autumn scene.
4 nights accomodation at Bear Camp on either single or double occupancy basis
Waterfront views from your deluxe african safari tent on our 630ft long raised walkway, perfect for watching bears beneath your tent feasting on Salmon.
Full catered chef prepared breakfasts lunches and evening feasts r
Open Bar serving eclectic world wines, craft beers and premium spirits
1:1 and group photography coaching from Steve Woods as well as insights into wildlife behaviour to create the perfect shot.
single Occupancy
$7995 usd
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Double Occupancy
$6995 usd