Visiting the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary

Northern British Columbia’s Khutzeymateen Provincial Park encompasses a mist-shrouded swath of land about 28 miles north of Prince Rupert. A one-of-a-kind gem, the park protects a wilderness area that borrows its name from a Tsimshian First Nations word meaning “sheltered place of fish and bears.”

A photo posted by BC Parks (@yourbcparks) on May 19, 2016 at 12:51pm PDT

That should give you some indication of the park’s draw: It contains one of the largest populations of grizzly bears — some 40 to 50 — in the province. The bears are protected from human interference, but visitors can safely view the bears in their natural environment through boat trips that travel through the main fjord artery of the park. Bears are often spotted along the shoreline, eating salmon, barnacles and sedge grass growing along the beaches.

A photo posted by Canadian Geographic (@cangeo) on Feb 20, 2016 at 6:21am PST

Several tour companies based out of Prince Rupert offer trips into the Khutzeymateen, and while bear sightings aren’t guaranteed, they’re extremely likely, with a 90 percent-plus success rate. Among the companies offering trips is Prince Rupert Adventure tours, which whisks visitors in a speedy yellow cruise ship. The staff is experts on local culture, history and wildlife, so the entire experience is as informative as it is scenic.