Anan Bear Observatory

The Anan Bear Observatory (30 miles southeast of Wrangell, Alaska) is a remote USDA Forest Service facility that provides a world-class bear viewing experience. Visitors get to experience bears roaming around the raised deck, in addition to views down to the creek from above and from a lower creekside viewing platform. The existing decks, stairs, and shelter are at the end of their lives and need replacement. Extensive recreation planning work was completed to review expected visitor demand and develop facility options to accommodate visitor quantities. The design included prioritizing ‘at railing’ viewing to provide as many people as possible with direct views of the creek and its bears. In order to minimize visual impacts and provide efficient movement between the upper and lower levels, a spiral staircase was designed. A heavy-timber shelter sits at the back of the upper deck to give shelter and includes monitors that offer views from a bear camera up the creek and a fish camera at the lower level. The project also included trailhead improvements and the relocation of the previous historic shelter to the trailhead.