Grizzly bears thrive here and the viewing opportunities are spectacular. We have operated our Grizzly Bear Lodge for decades and know the prime spots for bear watching. The ultimate grizzly bear photo opportunities.
Although most of the time the grizzly bears just ignore us at times the youngers bears do take and interest. In this case it is the grizzly bear doing the watching. You can see the edge of the viewing stand’s concrete footing. Don’t need a much of lens for these shots.
Photos from our Guides
The grizzly bear that remained took time to sit and study the situation of being “watched” but being young it got bored fast or maybe just an “itch” in need of a back rub. Every tour from the lodge has something different to offer.
We had a visit from two year old grizzly bear twins, just below (ten feet / 3 meters) the viewing stand. They were pretty friendly then one moved off to leave the other alone for a few minutes. It is not uncommon to have the grizzlies of all ages’ come close to the stands while we are watching them.
“Maybe if I just lie here the fish will swim closer and LUNCH?” Could have been a hot day in late August and a good way to cool down. Do not see many fish in the water near this grizzly bear so the “cool down” is a good option. Bear watching is always interesting as their behaviour varies from day to day.
In the spring the grizzly bear cubs we are watching in Knight Inlet are like my grandsons, always looking for adventure. They do not stray very far from their mother who is always alert for danger. Danger in the form of male grizzly not the camera caring guests from our lodge who are watching the bears.
Spring in Knight Inlet does bring some large grizzly bears to the lodge’s tour area of the Glendale River estuary. The spring and early summer bears are eating the high protein sedge grass or turning over beach rocks in search for other forms of protein. This is a good-sized grizzly for the spring. Keeping a wary eye on the viewing boats. The tide is rising as told by the high water in the river behind the bear. Note the blue heron in the background always fishing.
Not the same fish and grizzly bear as in yesterday’s post. The leaf is missing from the back and the fish is turned around but a better view of a bear with a mouth full. Every day on the lodge grizzly tour is different, if it weren’t it would become boring for the guides and so far it hasn’t. Even the boat ride up and down Knight Inlet remains interesting always on the look out for black bear, orca, dolphins, eagles and whales.
Fall on Knight Inlet’s many rivers is a time of plenty. The salmon start to arrive in mid-August and our lodge is permitted to proceed up the river to the viewing stands after August 25. On this wilflife tour day we have a good view of a “large” grizzly bear enjoying its catch. This bear does not move off the river as some of the small grizzly bears do rather it stays with the salmon. Why leave the good fishing and risk losing your spot on the river?
The lodge’s grizzly bear watching area in Knight Inlet contains a few large grizzlies. Nick-named the “boss bears” as they go were and when the want. Although it is nice to see the larger grizzly it is not always the best thing for long-term viewing. If a large bear is in the area of the lodge viewing stands it is often the only grizzly bear you may see. The best is to have them make and appearance then move off to the surrounding forest.
That’s a wrap on the 2026 season at Sailcone’s Grizzly Bear Lodge. It has been an amazing year. We welcomed guests from all over the world and witnessed one of the best salmon runs in decades.
I would like to thank our crew who looked after our guests from May until October. We are very fortunate that they are all planning on returning next season.
On the wildlife side it was truly an epic year. We saw a number of bears with new cubs and had an amazing salmon run. With these conditions the survival rate for these cubs is high. On the water the Humpbacks were abundant, with a large numbers hanging out in Knight Inlet in the early season and lots in our whale watching area throughout the year. The resident Orca were abundant and we also had a lot of Biggs Orca sightings.
For 2027 we are continuing to refresh the rooms, with new ceilings and paint. We will also have our floating sauna operational for the start of the season. More information on that to come.
Thank you again to everyone who visited us in 2026, to our staff and our travel partners. We are booking quickly for 2027 so if you want to visit us next season inquire soon.
Looking forward to seeing you next year
Angus Reid (Owner/Operator)
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