Alaska offers a multitude of wildlife viewing opportunities, but for many visitors the main attraction is the iconic Alaska coastal brown bear (the grizzly bear). Summer populations of brown bear thrive in coastal Alaska due to abundant food sources such as sedge grass, intertidal shellfish, and salmon returning to spawn.

Bear viewing from Homer, Alaska is an excellent addition to your Alaskan adventure. We offer guided hikes in Katmai National Park & Preserve during the months of June, late July, and August. We specialize in offering small-group, professional-naturalist guided tours and firmly believe this is the optimal way to experience the bears. Our pilot, while we love him dearly, is only there to fly the plane :)

We employ the services of a trained guide to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of bear biology and behavior for our guests. Our guides not only offer valuable insights and information but also ensure a safe and enriching experience, providing unparalleled up-close access to bears for optimal viewing and photography opportunities. Guests will appreciate the nuances of bear interactions, ecological roles, and conservation considerations while getting incredible up-close access to bears for viewing and photography.

Meet Your Guide

Erica Hausfeld has had an impressive and adventurous career in outdoor adventure guiding, spanning over two decades. Erica's passion for travel ignited during high school when she became an international exchange student in New Zealand. This experience deeply influenced her adventurous spirit and led her to further study-abroad travels during her undergraduate studies.

Erica has cultivated outdoor skills and explored diverse landscapes throughout her extensive career. She is well-versed in hiking and backpacking, bicycling, and even paragliding. Her affinity for the outdoors is evident in her love of nature photography, spending time in the mountains and her sense of home in her mini camper van.

Over the years, Erica's expertise has taken her to numerous locations worldwide, guiding multi-day active outdoor trips in many parts of the US, South & Central America, New Zealand, SE Asia, and Europe. Her international guiding experience has primarily been in New Zealand, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Iceland, Spain, Greece, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Costa Rica. While in the United States, she has guided trips in Utah & Arizona (Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Grand Canyon National Parks), Maine, Vermont, and Alaska!

Since her first trip to Alaska in 2007, she immediately fell in love!  Alaska holds a special place in Erica's heart as she has developed a profound connection with this land. This fondness for nature and the Alaskan lifestyle led her to make Homer, AK, her full-time home, choosing to put down roots for the first time. Most recently, during the winters, she guides Aurora Borealis tours out of Fairbanks and enjoys sharing the beauty and intensity of Interior Alaska with her guests.

For the last several years, Erica has found particular joy in guiding brown bear-viewing adventures in Katmai National Park and Preserve, considering it the work she loves most among the many opportunities she has encountered throughout her career. She is now the proud owner of Curious Nature Guided Adventures, LLC. Her diverse experiences and genuine love for adventure make her a captivating guide eager to share Alaska's wonders with others.  Her knowledge and respect for the bears make these trips great for viewing as well as a very educational experience learning about the bears and their behaviors and the ecosystem in which they thrive!

Erica Hausfeld's commitment to safety and well-being in the outdoors is evident through her training as a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and in CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.  Highlighting her dedication to the health and safety of those she guides Erica is well-prepared to handle various situations and provide the necessary care in remote and challenging environments, enhancing the overall safety and enjoyment of the outdoor experiences she leads.