The YukonFishing Branch Ni’iinlii Njik Territorial Park
The 'ice bears' of the Fishing Branch — grizzlies that fish chum salmon in an unfrozen river while covered head to toe in hoarfrost.
Ni’iinlii Njik means 'where the salmon spawn' in Gwich’in. The Fishing Branch River emerges from a limestone aquifer and stays ice-free all winter, drawing one of the last chum salmon runs in the Yukon and, in October and November, the largest known concentration of grizzly bears fishing at sub-zero temperatures. The bears get soaked, then frosted, and photograph like something from a fairy tale. There are typically 15-25 individual bears on the river at once.
This is not a place you can drive to or wander into. The park is co-managed with the Vuntut Gwitchin, and human presence is capped at 8 guests per week through a single licensed operator, Bear Cave Mountain Eco-Adventures, staying at a rustic lodge with no running water. Trips run about $7,500 USD for six nights including helicopter from Dawson. It routinely tops 'trip of a lifetime' lists in wildlife photography magazines.
Hours & entry
Free entry · Access strictly controlled
Bear-viewing season Oct 15-Nov 15 only · Yukon Parks office Mon-Fri 8:30-17:00 · Access by permit and licensed guide only
What to see
Grizzlies fishing chum on the spawning shelves — Fishing Branch River riffles below Bear Cave Mountain, 300 m from the lodge
The frost-covered 'ice bears' at dawn — Viewing platform 1, upstream shelf, best at first light
Bear Cave Mountain karst cave and Gwich’in interpretation — 300 m hike behind the lodge, guided only
Tips from the ground
Book 18-24 months out — Bear Cave Mountain sells out to repeat clients before public dates open.
Bring a 400-600mm lens; the bears are 15-40 m away and you cannot approach.
The last week of October is peak bear density; early November has fewer bears but heavier frost for photography.
Questions, answered
What does a trip cost?
Six-night guided packages with Bear Cave Mountain Eco-Adventures run about $10,500 CAD ($7,700 USD) per person including helicopter charter, meals and lodge.
Are there free-entry days?
There is no entry fee, but there is no way to enter without booking the licensed operator. Do-it-yourself access is not permitted.
How long is a trip?
The standard package is 6 nights, 7 days. There are no day trips — the helicopter ride alone from Dawson is 1h 45min each way.
When is it closed?
Human access is restricted to the October 15-November 15 bear-viewing window. The rest of the year the park is closed to all visitors to protect the bears and salmon.
Do I need to book?
Absolutely. Contact bearcavemountain.com; only 3-4 groups of 8 are permitted per season. Waitlists run 12-24 months.
How do I get there?
Fly to Dawson City (Air North from Whitehorse, 1h). The operator's helicopter picks you up at Dawson airport and flies you 200 km north into the park. No road ever reaches the site.
Every stay booked through The Yukon funds one verified tonne of carbon removal — same room, same price, the climate action already built into checkout.
You're not charged more and the hotel isn't paid less. It's just what happens when you tap Reserve.