What is Fortress of the Bear?
Fortress of the Bear is an educational, non-profit bear sanctuary and rescue centre in Sitka, Alaska. It has been taking care of orphaned and injured bears since 2007, when it first opened its doors to the public.
The facility is built in and around water reservoirs, providing its visitors with the opportunity to view the bears in a natural, yet protected, habitat. The fortress offers outside viewing platforms, as well as indoor balconies and ground-level windows, so visitors can see the bears from close up—even as close as 25 feet! As the state of Alaska does not have any bear rehabilitation programmes, the mission of the sanctuary is to provide rescue efforts, healthcare and long life to rescued bears and bear cubs.
How many bears are in the Fortress of the Bear?
At the time of my visit (May 2024), Fortress of the Bear housed 8 permanent residents, including black and brown bears. For the most accurate and up-to-date information and to view their stories, please check out the sanctuary’s website here.
How much does a Fortress of the Bear ticket cost?
Organised as an excursion directly via your cruise provider, the ticket price is included. If you’re looking to organise the visit independently, the adult tickets start at $15. For the most accurate and up-to-date information and to view their stories, please check out the sanctuary’s website here. Note that the Fortress is closed during winter months to allow the bears to hibernate.
How long does Fortress of the Bear take?
It is not a long visit. The tour includes an introduction from the staff after which you’re free to walk around to see the bears, before ending up in the gift shop. Overall, I’d say the Fortress of the Bear took a little bit less than an hour to fully experience.
How do I get to Fortress of the Bear from the cruise port? How far is Fortress of the Bear from a cruise ship?
Fortress of the Bear is located approx. 5 miles from Sitka’s town centre, however walking is not really an option, due to lack of sufficient infrastructure. You can get a privately organised shuttle or bus to get there from the town centre – the drive takes approx. 10 minutes.
Sitka’s cruise port is located approx. 6 miles away from the town centre, in the middle of a forest. If you book the visit to the fortress as part of your cruise line’s excursions, they will organise the transport directly from the port. However, if you’re looking to do so independently, free shuttles are running from the port to the town centre, the journey will take approx. 10 minutes also.
Is Fortress of the Bear worth visiting?
Short answer – yes. While it is not the longest excursion out there, I really enjoyed seeing the results of the hard work of the sanctuary and its employees to rescue the bears. It was a great opportunity to see those magnificent animals from up close, in a safe environment, both for me and them.
If you’re unsure whether you want to visit it during your trip to Alaska, just remember that Fortress of the Bear is a non-profit organisation and your visit, in-shop purchases and donations are directly supporting their efforts in rescuing and caring for orphaned bears.
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