Alaska.com: Alaska's Travel Website

Western Alaska -- specifically, southwestern Alaska and Kodiak Island -- is famous for its brown bears. Some are giants.

Katmai National Park, Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge and McNeil River State Game Sanctuary give observers great -- and generally safe -- close-up looks at bears weighing more than 1,000 pounds as they feed on salmon heading upstream.

Reaching these locations requires a flight to the Alaska Peninsula or a plane or ferry ride to Kodiak; they're not on the highway system connecting Anchorage, Fairbanks and Homer. Small planes ferry passengers to Katmai and McNeil River from Anchorage, Kenai and Homer.

Visitors to the parks and refuges can camp, stay in public use cabins or live in relative luxury at wilderness lodges.

Although the bears may be entertaining, they're also wild animals and dangerous, as rangers and lodge owners will warn visitors. Sometimes hunters get good looks at enormous bears -- and some nearly lose their lives. Nevertheless, following general precautions can make bear viewing safe.