Boondocking in Hyder?

Oh wow, thank you so much for the information and the images. That's very helpful!

Looks like we won't be able to drive to Salmon glacier with our rental RV. As far as I know the rental insurance states we can't go offroad, which means no dirt roads :(

We've seen tons of bears in the US and Canada to date. Over 50, some were too close for comfort (on trails in Glacier NP). We were hoping to see them trying to catch salmon though. From what I've read we have a good chance of seeing that in mid-August. Our kids absolutely love wildlife watching. They don't mind spending hours trying to spot animals, be them whales, moose or mountain goats. Predators are a bonus, so bears are always high on their list. If we get to see a wolf, that would be absolutely awesome. I read a blog post the other day about someone who spotted a mountain lion crossing the road in that area, so that would really be amazing.

I think we'll plan on staying at camp run-a-muck for the night and be at the gates as they open. We'll probably head over there the previous evening too and try to get the pass ready for the following morning and maybe watch for animals at dusk.

We'll make sure to eat at the bus. It's funny because there's a similar establishment in Israel called the Blue Bus, where they serve excellent fresh hummus. The Blue Bus happens to be a five minute walk from our house :)

Thanks again for the replies - this is immensely helpful! Thank you!

That's a bad spot in the road...here's how it looked in September 2007!

The road to the glacier is exciting in some parts...



My visit at the end of May was too early for the majority of the road to be open. I made it just past the first mine. Probably could have gone further, as there was a two-track through the snowy road, but I'm too chicken for a drive like that solo.

Bears are not guaranteed at Hyder, even during the 6am or 8-9pm hours. But we was plenty of bears along the roadways in Alaska, including grizzly with cubs.

I enjoyed the trip to Stewart for the scenery along the way -- wonderful mountain scenery and hanging glaciers.

Both Hyder and Stewart are very close to the bear viewing area - perhaps a 10-15 minute drive. Yes, there are gates across the bear viewing boardwalk and no one is allowed on it until employees make a 'sweep' of it first thing in the morning to make sure there isn't a bear snoozing on the platform. :) I don't recall places to boondock but as stated, Hyder and Stewart have campgrounds. We stayed in Stewart. Be sure to allow time for a fish dinner at the Bus in Hyder!

I assume the gates the OP is referring to is at the bear viewing platform....

There is absolutely no overnight parking there as the sign states parking lot is closed 930pm to 630am :

September 2013 :


As Joe mentioned, there is no US Customs stationed in Hyder as you just drive in :



Notice the paved road in place now, as in 2010 on my first visit the roads in Hyder were not paved, as a local told me the paved road project finished in October 2012....

The main road, the road to the boat launch and parking lot itself, and the roadway leading to the bear viewing platform at Fish Creek is now paved (4 to 5 miles of paved roads now) :

Hyder Boat Launch Parking Lot :


Fish Creek and Bear Viewing Station (pavement ending at far end of parking lot) :


There is a $5 fee (US or Canadian is accepted) and is good for one day as they stamp the yellow card you will receive when I showed up in the early evening.....I later on went back to the attendant and paid an extra $5 in advance for the following day so I wouldn't have to wait in line when I planned on returning, however the attendant was in a good mood and slid me back the $5 and validated my pass for the following day as well, so if you arrive during the early evening hours and plan on a following day visit....they might validate the pass for the following day without paying twice.

I did not notice any no overnight parking signs at the boat launch area itself as I suppose one could park there overnight, however that is the farthest point south from the bear viewing station (roughly 5 miles away).

I stayed at Camp Run-A-Muck which is $20 overnight (also US or Canadian accepted), nice guy that runs it...roughly 3 miles or so from the bear viewing site :


The only other potential boondocking spot besides the boat launch is on Salmon Glacier Road at this large turnout where I personally wouldn't want to boondock at (5 miles in the other direction from the bear viewing site) as the roadway was a little too uneasy for my camper rig with all the climbing, intermittent rough spots and too much construction truck traffic for my liking as this is where I turned around as I decided not to attempt Salmon Glacier in my camper rig, although I seen a few cabover campers and a class C motorhome that did commute there as they crossed paths with me heading back into Hyder :



There is a bus that provides a ride there as they quoted me $60 as I was not willing to pay that amount for a ride to see a glacier, so it gives me another reason to return to Hyder again someday to fill that bucket list (while finding another option to get there without getting extorted for $60).

Trying to figure out what gates you mean. There is not a US Customs office there, only Canadian for coming back into Canada. The rangers may go to work at 6 AM, I don't know, but the parking lot for the viewing area, is parallel parking along side the road which heads back into Canada a few miles farther along. I don't remember seeing any signs prohibiting parking in the lot beside the road. The bears are there when the salmon are running, 24 hours a day. Now after a big salmon breakfast, the bears may decide to take a mid day nap, I don't know.

We have stayed at the Bear River RV Park in Stewart, BC and then driven over to Hyder, in mid morning to watch the bears. But I am not much for watching bears, just doesn't do much for me. The last couple of times, we have visited Stewart-Hyder, we stayed at Meziadian Junction, where Hwy 37A leaves the Cassiar Hwy to go to Stewart-Hyder.

There is a campground in Hyder, called Camp Run Amuck, somewhat apply named IMHO. It is a mile, give or take from there to the viewing platforms.

The most redeeming quality to Hyder, to me, is the outstanding food served at "The Bus", located one block west of the main road out to the bear viewing area. The fish and chips are worth the drive into Hyder.

Hyder, on a nice day.


The parking lot at the bear viewing


Camp Run A Muck


The famous bus in Hyder


My wife and I with brother in law at the booth.


I have heard there are people that were born and raised in Hyder that have never seen the sun. LOL