As someone who is incredibly passionate about experiencing, exploring, and photographing true wilderness and pristine, uncorrupted ecosystems, I can’t think of anything much better then heading into the Alaskan bush in search of brown bears.

I’ve spent countless days exploring wilderness areas far and wide from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem to the Jungles of India, and even now Alaska is still at the top of my list. While there are many iconic and well-known world-class bear destinations in the state, there’s something to be said about leaving those beyond and heading off the beaten path.

For many photographers, iconic locations like Brooks Falls serve as an unforgettable introduction to bear photography—and for good reason. Watching massive coastal brown bears stack up along a waterfall, lunging for salmon in perfect golden light, is undeniably spectacular. It’s one of the most accessible and reliable wildlife experiences on the planet and it’s a place I hold near and dear to my heart.

It’s also worth noting that places like this are very accessible, allowing greater numbers of people from different backgrounds and walks of life to experience these animals.

But, in my honest opinion, once you’ve experienced places like this, once you’ve decided that brown bear photography is for you, the remote wilderness areas of America’s 49th state simply can’t be beat.

If you’re going to Alaska or on a Brown Bear trip for your first time I would highly encourage you to visit Brooks Falls or another well-known bear viewing destination, but if you’ve already checked that off your list and are ready for a more immersive, intimate, and raw experience, then keep reading!

The Difference Between Seeing Bears… and Experiencing Them

At well-known viewing areas, you’re witnessing a natural spectacle—but you’re often doing so alongside dozens (sometimes hundreds) of other people. Angles are limited. Movement is restricted. The experience, while incredible, is shared among many. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with this. But for me personally, I much prefer smaller, or even better, non-existent crowds.

In a proper, isolated backcountry environment, everything changes.

There are no boardwalks.
No viewing platforms.
No crowds lining the riverbanks.

Just you, a small group of like-minded individuals, your guides, your cameras and lenses, and Alaska.

In places like this, encounters unfold on nature’s terms. Bears move freely across vast landscapes—through sedge meadows, along braided rivers, across tidal flats, and beneath towering, glacier-clad peaks. You’re not watching a single, concentrated feeding zone. You’re witnessing an entire ecosystem in motion.

And from a photographic standpoint, that distinction is everything.
Instead of predictable compositions, you gain:

• Creative freedom and flexibility to shoot from unique angles

• Clean, uncluttered backgrounds without human influence

• A wide variety of natural behavioral diversity and displays

• Environmental storytelling opportunities that elevate your images

This is where photographs stop being snapshots of wildlife… and start becoming works of art. With more flexibility to really hike and move throughout the environment and even travel to vastly different locations on float planes and boats, the possibilities are endless.

Check out our Great Alaskan Bear Safari to learn more about what an experience like this entails!

The Power of Solitude in a Wild Place

One of my favorite aspects of true backcountry adventures that lie far off the beaten path is the sense of remoteness, solitude, and isolation they provide. This may not be for everyone but for me, it’s a truly pure and natural way of existence and exploration. If I’m far away, in a truly remote area, with no groups of people around, I’m in my happy place.

There’s something profoundly different about standing in a remote Alaskan valley with no one else in sight, knowing you’re sharing that space solely with a small group and one of North America’s most iconic mammals.

It sharpens your awareness.
It heightens your senses.
It deepens the experience.
A trip like this allows you to really become in-touch with the natural world. Which is something the world needs now more than ever.

Yes, It’s More Demanding — And That’s the Point

At the end of the day, Backcountry bear expeditions aren’t necessarily designed for convenience. This is one area where they perhaps fall short as they are less accessible and less realistic for some people. If you aren’t able to walk very far or struggle to carry your gear across uneven terrain, then perhaps a trip like this isn’t ideal for you.

These adventures require:

• Hiking off trails, over uneven terrain, sometimes several miles in a day

• Navigating variable weather conditions while you shoot and explore

• Traveling by floatplane or bush plane into remote locations

• Being adaptable and patient in ever-changing environments

This isn’t a roadside wildlife experience—and that’s exactly what makes it so rewarding. By putting in all this effort and really escaping the developed world you are gifted with unique and special opportunities to capture incredible images.

For photographers willing and able to embrace a bit of physical challenge, the payoff is enormous. You’re rewarded with encounters that feel personal, compositions that feel unique, and a sense of accomplishment that simply can’t be replicated in more accessible settings.

Why Experience Matters More Than Ever

Venturing into true bear country requires more than enthusiasm—it requires expertise and experience. Brown bears are truly magnificent and wonderful animals, but they can potentially be dangerous in certain circumstances.

Understanding bear behavior, reading subtle cues, positioning safely, and anticipating moments before they happen are all critical components of a successful expedition and this is exactly why choosing the right guided experience is so important.

When you’re with knowledgeable guides who understand both wildlife behavior and photography, everything improves:

• Safety is elevated

• Opportunities are maximized

• Positioning becomes intentional rather than reactive

• You’re consistently in the right place at the right time

And that’s what transforms a good trip into an unforgettable one.

Embark on the Great Alaskan Bear Safari

For photographers ready to go beyond the crowds and experience Alaska at its wildest, the Backcountry Journeys Great Alaskan Bear Safari offers exactly that.

This isn’t your typical bear viewing trip.

It’s a carefully crafted backcountry expedition designed to deliver the highest level of wildlife photography opportunities in one of the most pristine ecosystems on Earth.

What sets this experience apart:

True Backcountry Access
Travel deep into remote regions of coastal Alaska via floatplanes and bush planes, reaching locations few photographers ever experience.

Dynamic, Adaptive Itinerary
Rather than being locked into a single location, guides evaluate conditions daily and move to where bear activity is strongest.

Peak Seasonal Timing
Scheduled to align with the salmon runs, ensuring incredible bear density and behavior.

Small Group Advantage
Limited group sizes allow for better shooting angles, more flexibility, and personalized guidance.

Expert-Led Experience
With years of experience in Alaska’s bear country, the Backcountry Journeys team knows how to maximize both safety and photographic success.

Comfort in the Wild
Enjoy thoughtfully selected accommodations and great meals while remaining fully immersed in the environment.

The Great Alaskan Bear Safariisn’t just about capturing images. It’s about stepping into one of the last truly wild places in North America and experiencing it in a meaningful, immersive way. It’s about pushing yourself just enough to reach places that feel untouched. It’s about witnessing raw, authentic wildlife behavior—and capturing it in a way that reflects the power of the moment.

And most of all…
It’s about coming home with images—and memories—that simply aren’t possible anywhere else.

Discover the True, Raw, Untamed Wilderness of Alaska

If you’ve ever dreamed of photographing brown bears in remote Alaska…
If you’re ready to move beyond crowded viewpoints and into true wilderness…
If you want to create images that stand apart from the rest…

Then join Backcountry Journeys on the Great Alaskan Bear Safari and experience what backcountry bear photography is truly meant to be.