McNeil River State Game Sanctuary
State Game Sanctuary (Alaska Department Of Fish And Game) · Homer, Alaska
A remote state sanctuary on the Alaska Peninsula next to Katmai National Park, created in 1967 to protect the world's largest gathering of brown bears. In summer dozens of bears gather at McNeil Falls to catch chum and sockeye salmon, often within yards of a small gravel viewing pad where visitors stand with Alaska Department of Fish and Game staff. Access is strictly controlled: permits are drawn by lottery, groups are limited to 10 people a day, and visits last four days, with nights spent at a primitive campground with a cook cabin, reached by float plane from Homer. The walk to the falls crosses tidal flats and creeks in hip boots. For the 2026 season, applications closed on 1 March, the lottery was drawn on 15 March, fees were due by 15 April, and four-day visits ran from 7 June to 25 August.
Kamishak Bay, Alaska Peninsula (reached by float plane, usually from Homer), Homer, Alaska, 99603, United States
Visits by permit only, 7 June-25 August (2026), in four-day stays. Viewing at McNeil Falls is guided by ADF&G staff on a set daily schedule.
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