View Grizzly Bears in Hyder, Alaska

Visit Alaska Via British Columbia’s Stewart-Cassiar Highway

Sep 12, 2009

Vibrant Colors Highlight the Glacier Highway, Jeff Bartlett

Self-guided driving tours, the Salmon Glacier and grizzly bear viewing at Fish Creek highlight any trip to Stewart, British Columbia and Hyder, Alaska.

Located in northwestern British Columbia, the Stewart-Cassiar highway offers the southernmost access to the USA’s 49th state: Alaska.

Although the town of Hyder is little more than one narrow street, the area offers some of the safest wildlife viewing in the North thanks to the US Forest Service’s effort at the Fish Creek Wildlife Viewing Area.

Other Attractions include a 14-stop self-guided driving tour that visits historic town sites, abandoned mines, and the Tongass National Forest. The tour ends at the summit of the Salmon Glacier, where views over the receding glacier will leave visitors in awe.

Wildlife at the Fish Creek Wildlife Viewing Area, Alaska

The annual salmon run, which takes place from July through September, brings both chum and pink salmon into Tongass National Forest. Grizzly Bears use the shallow waters located in Fish Creek to feed on salmon during the summer, providing visitors with a rare up-close experience with the bears.

In late August and September, after the grizzlies have put on much of their winter hibernation weight, sightings of both black bears and wolves become more common. Bald-headed eagles, king fishers and beavers are also common sights within the park area.

Self Guided Driving Tour from Stewart, BC

Departing Stewart, British Columbia, along the Salmon Glacier road, tourists will find 14 well-marked number markers that form this self-guided trip. Stops include both the historic town sites of Stewart and Hyder, the Fish Creek Wildlife Viewing area, and several abandoned mines.

The highlight of the trip is the Salmon Glacier. Located 35 km from Stewart, the driving route takes visitors well above the glacier’s summit, allowing for unbelievable panoramic views of the receding ice.

Wildlife sightings are common along the roadway, which weaves in and out of British Columbia and Alaska during the 80-km round-trip tour. Watch out for grizzly and black bears, wolves, and alpine marmots, among others.

How to Get to Stewart, BC and Hyder, AK

Remote barely describes this northern location; however, both towns are located only 65 km from Meziadin Junction, along the Stewart-Cassiar Highway that links British Columbia with the Yukon Territory in the north.

A two-day trip to Stewart is an excellent addition to the Great Northern Circle Tour, a self-guided trip of British Columbia’s north which includes excellent camping opportunities in BC's northern provincial parks.

Five Things to Remember When Visiting Stewart, BC and Hyder, AK

Although hotel accommodation is limited, campgrounds are beautiful and abundant.
Bear encounters can be dangerous. Follow posted rules and respect all posted warnings.
No US customs monitor entry into Hyder, Alaska, but visitors must re-enter Canada through the Customs and Immigration Office. Make sure to have valid identification and current visa if required.
Located on the Portland Canal, the area receives high quantities of both snow and rain. Make sure to pack accordingly.
US and Canadian currency is widely accepted in Hyder, Alaska. Canadian funds are necessary in Stewart.

The copyright of the article View Grizzly Bears in Hyder, Alaska in British Columbia Travel is owned by Jeff Bartlett. Permission to republish View Grizzly Bears in Hyder, Alaska in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.