Brooks River Riffles Bear Webcam – Katmai National Park

The Brooks River Riffles Bear Webcam provides a live view of brown bears fishing for salmon in Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska. Located at the Riffles Wildlife Viewing Platform near Brooks Camp, the camera overlooks a shallow section of the Brooks River downstream from famous Brooks Falls.

This is one of Katmai’s world-famous bear cams and an exceptional place to watch brown bears use different techniques to catch migrating salmon.

Rather than waiting beside a waterfall for salmon to leap within reach, bears at the Riffles may chase schools of fish through shallow water, pounce on salmon, or simply sit patiently in the river and wait for a fish to swim close enough to catch.

Watch Katmai Brown Bears Live

Brown bears gather along the Brooks River each summer as sockeye salmon return from the ocean and migrate upstream to spawn.

At the Riffles, the relatively shallow water creates excellent fishing opportunities.

From late June through mid-July, viewers may see bears actively chasing schools of migrating salmon through the river. Some bears run through the water after fish, while others plunge their heads beneath the surface or pounce when a salmon comes within reach.

Individual bears develop their own fishing techniques through experience.

The Riffles can also be an especially good location for watching female bears with cubs.

Dominant adult males often occupy the most productive fishing positions at Brooks Falls. Some females with cubs avoid those crowded areas and instead fish downstream at locations such as the Riffles.

That can make this webcam particularly rewarding for viewers hoping to see bear families along the Brooks River.

When to Watch the Riffles Bear Cam

July is generally the best time to watch bears fishing at the Riffles.

Sockeye salmon typically begin arriving in large numbers during late June, and bear activity increases as the salmon run strengthens.

Katmai’s brown bears are generally most active during daylight hours. Alaska’s exceptionally long summer days provide many hours of viewing during the peak season.

Bears may remain in the Brooks River area from mid-spring through mid-fall, although the number of bears and their behavior changes throughout the season.

By late summer and fall, salmon behavior and availability change as spawning progresses and fish begin to die.

The live Katmai bear cams generally operate from summer into early fall. During the off-season, recorded highlights from previous seasons may be shown instead of a live stream.

For additional live views, explore our Katmai National Park & Preserve Webcams, Brooks Falls Bear Webcam, Lower Brooks River Bear Webcam, River Watch Bear Webcam, Bear Webcams, and Alaska Webcams.

About the Riffles at Brooks River

The Riffles are a shallow section of the Brooks River in Katmai National Park and Preserve, located downstream from Brooks Falls near Brooks Camp.

The Brooks River is only about 1.5 miles long, connecting Brooks Lake with Naknek Lake, but it supports one of the world’s most famous concentrations of brown bears.

Each summer, enormous numbers of sockeye salmon migrate from Bristol Bay through the Naknek Lake system and enter the Brooks River on their journey toward spawning areas.

The salmon provide an extraordinarily rich seasonal food source for Katmai’s brown bears.

Brooks Falls receives most of the attention because bears can famously stand at the waterfall and catch salmon as the fish attempt to leap upstream.

The Riffles provide a very different fishing environment.

Here, shallow flowing water allows bears to pursue salmon directly. Bears may chase fish, pounce on them, plunge their heads underwater, or wait patiently for salmon to approach.

The location can also offer opportunities for bears that are unable or unwilling to compete for the most desirable fishing positions at Brooks Falls.

Female bears with cubs may particularly benefit from these less competitive fishing areas.

Visitors to Brooks Camp can observe bears from designated wildlife viewing platforms and elevated boardwalks designed to reduce encounters between people and bears.

The Riffles Wildlife Viewing Platform is one of three primary bear-viewing areas along the Brooks River, along with Brooks Falls and the lower river.

The webcam brings that remarkable wildlife-viewing experience online, allowing people around the world to watch the bears of Katmai fish the Brooks River in real time.

See Katmai National Park & Preserve Webcams

Why Use the Brooks River Riffles Bear Webcam?

• Watch Katmai brown bears live.
• See bears fishing for sockeye salmon.
• Watch bears chase and pounce on salmon in shallow water.
• Look for mother bears with cubs.
• Observe different bear fishing techniques.
• Watch the annual Brooks River salmon run.
• See current conditions along the Brooks River.
• Experience one of the world’s premier brown bear viewing locations.

Where is the Riffles Bear Webcam located?

The webcam is located at the Riffles Wildlife Viewing Platform along the Brooks River near Brooks Camp in Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska.

What can I see on the Riffles Bear Cam?

Viewers can watch brown bears fishing, walking through the river, resting along the shoreline, and interacting with other bears. During the salmon run, bears may chase and pounce on schools of migrating sockeye salmon.

When is the best time to watch?

July is generally the best time to watch bears fishing at the Riffles. Bears may be present in the Brooks River area from mid-spring through mid-fall.

Can I see bear cubs on this webcam?

Yes. Female bears with cubs sometimes prefer fishing at the Riffles rather than competing with large adult bears at Brooks Falls.

Why are there so many bears at Brooks River?

Large numbers of sockeye salmon migrate through the Brooks River each summer. The abundant salmon provide an extremely valuable food source for brown bears preparing for winter.

Is the Riffles Bear Cam live?

Yes. The Riffles Bear Cam streams live during the bearcam season through a partnership between Katmai National Park and Preserve and Explore.org. During the off-season, previous footage or highlights may be shown.