Big Bear/Baby Bear State Marine Park
⚓ A Protected Anchorage in the Wildest Waters of Southeast Alaska — Near Sitka in the Tongass — Big Bear/Baby Bear State Marine Park in Southeast Alaska near Peril Strait, approximately 35 miles north of Sitka, protected boat anchorage in the Tongass National Forest, camping, fishing, hunting, undeveloped wilderness, boat or floatplane access only, temperate rainforest, brown bears, whales, eagles — near Sitka, AK
Thirty-five miles north of Sitka, where Peril Strait connects the open Pacific with the inner waterways of the Alexander Archipelago, two coves carve into the Tongass rainforest: Big Bear Bay and Baby Bear Bay. The state marine park protects both — undeveloped, unimproved, unnamed on most maps.
This is what Alaska’s marine parks look like before the infrastructure arrives: no dock, no mooring buoy, no trail sign. You anchor in the cove, row to shore, and step into 16.7 million acres of temperate rainforest. The brown bears that gave the bays their names are still here. So are the whales in the strait.
What to Do
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Anchorage | Protected anchorage in Big Bear Bay and Baby Bear Bay. Good holding ground in mud bottom. Shelter from the open waters of Peril Strait. Popular overnight stop for vessels transiting between Sitka and northern Southeast Alaska |
| Camping | Primitive camping on the beach or in the forest above the tide line. No facilities whatsoever — pack everything in, pack everything out. Bear canisters mandatory. Leave no trace |
| Fishing | Salmon (king, silver, pink, chum in season), halibut, rockfish, lingcod. The waters around Peril Strait are among the most productive in Southeast Alaska. ADF&G regulations apply |
| Hunting | Sitka blacktail deer and brown bear hunting in season (Alaska hunting regulations apply). The Tongass provides dense cover. This is genuine wilderness hunting |
| Wildlife | Brown bears (coastal), Sitka blacktail deer, humpback whales, orcas, harbor seals, sea otters, bald eagles, Steller sea lions. The strait is a migration corridor for marine mammals |
| Kayaking | Sea kayaking from Sitka or nearby launches. Peril Strait has strong tidal currents — plan your paddle around the tides. Protected bays offer rest stops. Cold-water dry suits essential |
Peril Strait — Why the Name
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| The Name | In the early 1800s, over 100 Tlingit villagers died near this strait after eating poisonous shellfish (paralytic shellfish poisoning from toxic algae blooms). Russian explorers named it “Peril Strait” after the tragedy |
| The Strait | A narrow waterway connecting Chatham Strait with Salisbury Sound and the open Pacific. Strong tidal currents. Major vessel transit route in Southeast Alaska |
| Tongass Forest | 16.7 million acres — the largest national forest in the United States. Old-growth Sitka spruce and western hemlock. Annual rainfall 80–200 inches depending on location |
| Sitka | The nearest town — 35 miles south. Former capital of Russian Alaska. Population ~8,500. Access by Alaska Airlines or Alaska Marine Highway ferry. Charter boats and water taxis available |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Best For |
|---|---|
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | ☀️ Longest days (18+ hours). Best weather (still rainy). Salmon runs. Whale watching at its peak. Warmest water temps (still cold) |
| Spring (May) | Herring runs. Eagles massing. Wildflowers. Cold. Fewer vessels. Commercial fishing season starting |
| Fall (Sep–Oct) | Silver salmon. Bear activity at its highest (pre-hibernation feeding). Storms building. Dramatic skies |
| Winter (Nov–Apr) | Not recommended for most visitors. Short days, heavy rain, storm swells. Commercial fishing vessels still transit the strait |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get there?
By boat or floatplane from Sitka. There’s no road access — this is roadless wilderness. Charter boats, water taxis, and float plane services operate from Sitka. The bays are about 35 miles north via Peril Strait.
What about bears?
This is brown bear country — the bears are here, year-round. The park is named for them. Bear canisters required for camping. Make noise. Cook away from your sleeping area. Carry bear spray. These are coastal brown bears — large and well-fed on salmon.
⚓ No Dock. No Trail Sign. Just Rainforest, Bears, and Tidal Currents.
Two coves in the Tongass. Brown bears on the beach. Whales in the strait. And a name — Peril — that tells you everything about the waters between here and Sitka.
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