Visiting the Kodiak Brown Bear Center & Lodge in Alaska

Kodiak Brown Bear Center & Lodge: A journey worth taking

Visiting the Kodiak Brown Bear Center & Lodge in Alaska

To reach the lodge, you’ll first need to make your way to Kodiak. Most visitors arrive on Alaska Airlines, which offers three flights per day. Visit www.alaskaairlines.com for details.

Other travel options include helicopters, private jets, float planes from Anchorage, or boats. These alternatives can be more expensive, but we’re happy to provide recommendations if needed.

We strongly recommend arriving in Kodiak a day early to account for potential weather delays—we have no control over Mother Nature, though it’s high on the list when we get a magic wand! Plus, Kodiak is a fun town to explore.

Check out Discover Kodiak for ideas. For accommodations, we recommend the Best Western or Compass Suites, both conveniently located downtown near shops and restaurants.

The Adventure to Karluk Lake

From Kodiak, you’ll take a 45-minute float plane ride to Karluk Lake, an experience in itself. Karluk Lake, named after the nearby village of Karluk, connects to the Karluk River, which flows 22 miles to the ocean.

If the weather is clear, the flight offers breathtaking views of mountains, glaciers, wildlife like bears and goats, and even whales as you cross over the ocean. The planes are equipped with headsets for chatting with the pilot and other passengers. If you’re prone to motion sickness, take precautions about an hour before the flight.

As you approach Karluk Lake, Camp Island is unmistakable—an island on the lake with a lodge on it.

Your plane will land on the lake, and our team will greet you at the dock. Our boat crew will take care of your luggage while you soak in the stunning surroundings.

Welcome to the Lodge

As you arrive, you’ll likely spot the previous group preparing to leave. They’ll be the ones with heavy bags and heavier hearts—they’re hard to miss! Many guests become fast friends and return year after year, often bringing family to share the experience.

Once ashore, you’ll be welcomed into the Bear Cave (our common room) with a hot towel and a light meal to refresh you after your journey. While you settle in, you’ll receive your official KBBC hat—essential for keeping bug nets out of your face!

Our manager will then guide you through a safety briefing, the schedule, and all the details about bear viewing. After gearing up, the adventure truly begins!

Get ready to have some fun, savor amazing food, and completely unplug from the rest of the world. It’s surprisingly easy to do here.

Karluk Lake and the lodge have a unique way of leaving a lasting impression. For me, it’s deeply personal—my people have called this place home for thousands of years. But even our guests often describe a profound spiritual connection they feel, a sense of peace they didn’t realize they needed but are so grateful to have found.

Whether it’s the flight, the pristine wilderness, or the warm hospitality at the lodge, this journey is an unforgettable start to your time at the Kodiak Brown Bear Center. Let the memories begin!

 

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Largest Concentration of Bears in Alaska, Kodiak Island

Highest concentration of bears

Largest Concentration of Bears in Alaska, Kodiak Island

Karluk Lake is more than a breathtaking spot on Kodiak Island—it’s the lifeblood of the island’s ecosystem and a cornerstone of Alutiiq history. Stretching nearly 22 miles, this pristine lake is teeming with life. It hosts all five species of Pacific salmon—chinook, sockeye, coho, chum, and pink—along with steelhead, Dolly Varden, and Arctic char. These abundant fish runs sustain not only anglers but also the countless Kodiak brown bears and bald eagles that rely on them.

Home to the highest concentration of brown bears on Kodiak, Karluk Lake is a prime destination for wildlife viewing. Watching these massive bears fishing for salmon in their natural habitat is a humbling experience. It’s not uncommon to spot bears wading through the shallows or perched along the shoreline, their sheer presence a testament to the wildness of this land.

Karluk Lake offers more than just incredible wildlife—it holds a story that stretches back thousands of years. This land has been a cornerstone for the Alutiiq people, who have lived along its shores, fished its waters, and hunted its forests for generations. Archaeological sites around the lake reveal ancient settlements, where its abundant resources sustained life. For us, Karluk Lake is not just a natural resource; it is a spiritual and cultural touchstone, linking us to our ancestors and the land itself.

We are honored to operate near this remarkable place at the Kodiak Brown Bear Center and Lodge. Our mission is to share the beauty of Karluk Lake and its wildlife while safeguarding its fragile ecosystem. Guests at the lodge have the rare chance to explore this special area in a respectful manner, discovering not only the awe-inspiring bears and fishing experiences but also the profound cultural significance of the land.

For anglers, Karluk Lake offers some of the best fishing in Alaska. The salmon runs here are legendary, drawing enthusiasts from around the world. And for those who prefer quieter moments, the lake’s stillness and natural beauty offer a chance to connect with nature on a deeper level.

What makes Karluk Lake truly special is its timelessness. Standing on its shores, you feel a connection to the past, present, and future. The bears and fish follow ancient rhythms, the landscape remains as untouched as it was centuries ago, and the stories of those who came before echo in every breeze.

Whether you’re drawn by the promise of world-class fishing, the thrill of watching bears up close, or the chance to step into a piece of Alaska’s history, Karluk Lake offers an experience like no other.

We invite you to join us at the Kodiak Brown Bear Center and Lodge to explore this incredible place. It’s more than a destination—it’s a story waiting to be told.

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Welcome to Kodiak Island Stacey Simmons

Welcome to my home

Welcome to Kodiak Island Stacey Simmons

Hi, my name is Stacey (Imaq – Ocean) Simmons, and I am the Director of Operations at the Kodiak Brown Bear Center and Lodge. I truly love what I do—it’s one of the most rewarding and meaningful jobs in the world.

Let me tell you a little about our lodge.

The Kodiak Brown Bear Center and Lodge is not your typical lodge nor a wildlife sanctuary—though our name can sometimes suggest that. Owned and operated by Koniag, an Alaska Native Corporation, our lodge sits on the traditional lands of our Alutiiq ancestors, who have lived here for over 12,000 years. Most of the land we use for bear and wildlife viewing is privately owned by Koniag, which makes this an incredibly special and protected place.

As an Alaska Native-owned lodge, we weave Alutiiq culture and language into everything we do. Guests encounter this through local artwork, ongoing archeological digs at Karluk Lake, and the incorporation of traditional foods into our meals.

Our lodge hosts a maximum of eight guests at a time, providing an intimate experience where every visit directly supports our Alutiiq Shareholders. Revenue generated helps fund elder distributions, youth scholarships, cultural programs like language preservation and traditional dance, and subsistence initiatives.

We’ve also created unique opportunities for our Alutiiq youth through a hospitality training program at the lodge. Each year, young participants help prepare trails and grounds for the season, while in-season apprenticeships provide hands-on experience in hospitality and guiding. Recently, one apprentice pursued yoga training to enrich the guest experience, and another is earning certification to captain our boats eventually.

We’re a lodge with a purpose. Every guest contributes—whether they know it or not—to keeping the Alutiiq people, language, and culture alive and thriving.

Our work is work is deeply personal to me. In addition to my role at the lodge, I manage all Shareholder benefits for Koniag. Both my parents are Indigenous to Kodiak, and I grew up in one of its villages. These two roles allow me to share my home with guests, support my community, and serve as a steward of our land and culture.

It’s a privilege to work at the intersection of hospitality, cultural preservation, and sustainability. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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