A small huddle of tents sit on the shores of Alaska’s Hallo Bay, open for visitors to come and hang out just feet from the powerful, and more than a little terrifying, brown bears that call the area home.

Alaska’s bear population has long been a source of tourism and scientific inquiry and the Hallo Bay Bear Camp brings these two areas together to allow everyday visitors to experience the thrill of bear-sighting from the safety of professional… tents. Despite the seeming flimsiness of the lodging, the bear camp is quite safe and, as they are proud to advertise, they don’t even employ bear mace or rubber bullets like some other services. Instead they rely on the expertise of their trained naturalists to lead guests out to see the beasts and bring them back unmauled. 

In contrast to other bear-watching tours, the Hallo Bay camp does not have any groomed trails or fortified viewing stations; they simply take small groups (no more than 10 a day) out to meet the bears. This approach also serves to preserve the sanctity of the untouched Alaskan wilds all around. 

Guests can either head out for just a day trip or there is also the option of staying overnight in the small tent city.