Grizzly Bear Viewing at Tincup Wilderness Lodge

Photo credit: Meinrad Humm, Tincup Wilderness Lodge
 

Grizzlies Are Here—And That's Part of the Experience

Tincup Wilderness Lodge sits deep in prime grizzly bear territory. The Yukon’s boreal forests and tundra support robust, healthy grizzly populations, and Tincup Lake is no exception. Wild grizzlies may appear during your stay.

This is not a zoo or staged encounter. These are true wild bears, foraging, fishing, and traveling through their natural territory. Safety protocols ensure safe viewing without disrupting their behavior.

When Grizzlies Are Most Active at Tincup

June - Early Season

• Activity: Bears emerge from dens April–May. By June, they are actively foraging after hibernation.
• Diet: Fresh vegetation, roots and tubers, carrion (winter-killed moose or caribou), occasional ground squirrels.
• Behavior: Focused on gaining weight, generally less aggressive.
• Best Viewing: Meadows and wetlands near the lake where fresh greens thrive.

July–August – Mid-Season

• Diet: Berries ripen (soapberries in July; blueberries late July–August; crowberries and cranberries in August). Vegetation grazing continues; occasional fish if near streams.
• Behavior: Opportunistic, traveling wide territories. Females with cubs are protective; males often solitary.
• Best Viewing: Hillside berry patches, open tundra, and lake shorelines.

September – Late Season / Peak Activity

• Activity: Hyperphagia season—preparing for hibernation, bears eat up to 20,000 calories per day, gaining 3–4 lb daily.
• Diet: Everything edible—berries, roots, small mammals, carrion.
• Behavior: Highly active and visible; more tolerant of distant human observation (still requires caution).
• Best Viewing: Hillsides, valleys, ridgelines—September is prime grizzly season.

Where You'll See Grizzlies Around Tincup
 

Across the Lake (Most Common)

• View from the Lodge dock or boats: foraging, walking beaches, or digging for roots.
• Distance: 200–500 m (safe with binoculars or telephoto lenses).
• Frequency: Nearly daily in peak season.

On Hikes

• Hosts can suggest ridges, berry patches, and areas with recent bear activity.
• Safety protocols: Bear spray ready, make noise to alert bears, maintain safe distances (100+ m).

From Boats

• Aluminum boats allow quiet observation along shorelines.
• Bears typically ignore boats; sightings include drinking, foraging, or shoreline travel.

Rare: Near the Lodge

• Occasionally a grizzly may pass through lodge grounds.
• Staff monitor activity and suspend outdoor activities until safe.
• Protocols have ensured zero incidents in decades of operation.

Grizzly Behaviour: What to Expect

Most Bears Are Not Interested in Humans.

Typical sightings include:

• Ignoring you while foraging
• Glancing your way, then moving on
• Walking away once aware of your presence

Aggression is rare and usually only in:

• Surprise close encounters (safety protocols prevent this)
• Females with cubs
• Bears defending food

Body Language Indicators:

• Relaxed: Ears forward/neutral, head down, slow movements
• Alert: Ears perked, sniffing, jaw pops/woofing
• Defensive (rare): Ears back, huffing, pawing, bluff charges (immediately back away)

Grizzly Safety Protocols at Tincup

On Hikes
✅ Make noise (talk, clap, bear bells)
✅ Stay together
✅ Bear spray accessible in 2 seconds
✅ Scan terrain for signs
✅ Avoid dense brush quietly

At the Lodge
✅ No food in cabins
✅ Secure garbage in bear-proof containers
✅ Clear sightlines to avoid surprise encounters

Solo Activities
✅ Make noise when paddling or hiking
✅ Carry bear spray
✅ Stay alert; avoid headphones
✅ Avoid dawn/dusk (peak activity)

Photography Tips for Grizzlies

Gear

• Telephoto lens: 200mm minimum, 400mm+ ideal
• Shutter: 1/500s+
• Continuous autofocus and burst mode
• Tripod optional for stationary observation

Composition

• Include landscape context
• Capture action moments (foraging, digging)
• Golden hour lighting is ideal

Ethics
❌ Never approach bears
❌ No calls or attractants
✅ Use long lenses and crop in post-processing
✅ Follow the instructions

What Makes Yukon Grizzly Viewing Special

Healthy populations: ~6,000–7,000 grizzlies across 480,000 km², stable and managed.

Minimal human pressure: Bears behave naturally; fewer crowds than Banff or coastal Alaska.

Wilderness context: Remote, roadless backcountry viewing, not a boardwalk experience.

Multiple species: Black bears, moose, wolves, caribou, eagles—all often seen alongside grizzlies.

Real Guest Experiences: Grizzly Sightings at Tincup

"We saw a sow and two cubs digging for roots across the lake. Watched them for 45 minutes through binoculars. Cubs played while mom worked. Incredible."
 — Guest review, August visit

"The grizzly walking the opposite shoreline at sunset—silhouetted against golden light—was the photo I'll never forget."
 — Guest review, September visit

What If You’re Nervous About Grizzlies?

Wild bears are unavoidable; safety protocols ensure guest protection.

You can avoid certain hikes if anxious.

Most nervous first-timers leave respecting and appreciating the bears.

Other Wildlife You'll See Alongside Grizzlies

Moose: Almost daily sightings

Black bears: Smaller, more skittish

Caribou: Seasonal migrations in September

Wolves: Rare, mostly heard at night

Bald eagles: Daily sightings

Small mammals: Foxes, snowshoe hares, beavers, muskrats

The Bottom Line: Grizzlies and the Tincup Experience

Grizzly bears are a highlight, not a threat, at Tincup.

• September: Hyperphagia season offers the most sightings.
• Wildlife viewing in true wilderness is unmatched—authentic, remote, and memorable.

Whether you’re an experienced wildlife photographer or a first-time visitor, Tincup delivers grizzly encounters you’ll never forget.