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A simple photo journal of our time documenting black bears in Tahoe eating fish straight out of Taylor Creek.
There aren’t many places where you can pull up to a parking area, get out of your car, walk about 100 yards, and see bears in the wild catching fish from a stream.
But, in South Lake Tahoe, on Taylor Creek you can.
Honestly, I’m still just in shock at how magical the Taylor Creek Kokanee run is. We went to see the bears for a day and ended up staying for ten days instead documenting the bears and other wildlife in the area.
The following photos were all shot on a Canon R5 with a Canon RF 100-500 F 4.5-7.1 lens.
The Rainbow Trail
From the Taylor Creek Visitor Center, walking along the rainbow trail leads guests to a vista point overlooking the marsh below. If you look closely at the trees in the distance, you have a good chance of seeing bears hanging out up top.
From there, walk along the trail to the boardwalk, paying close attention for bears in the brush and trees along the way.
This boardwalk takes you through the marshland, where you’ll find beavers, muskrats, birds, fish, bears, and coyotes too.
Take your time, walking slowly, and be sure to be quiet as the wildlife can be scared away from too much noise.
The First Viewing Deck
We didn’t realize this trail lead straight to a viewing deck, and within five minutes from leaving our car, we witnessed our first bears of the season. We truly couldn’t believe our eyes. We both were just in awe at what we just walked up to.
Throughout our time at Taylor Creek, there were multiple times we walked up the boardwalk to the first viewing platform to either be greeted with bears literally on the boardwalk too, or fishing just beyond the boardwalk viewing platform.
Continuing up the boardwalk, the bear sightings kept getting better and better.
The Second Viewing Deck
There’s another board walk area with a small viewing deck and railing along the creek. At this point, we often saw many fish in the little pool below the viewing area, and turning the corner, this was our favorite place to watch the bears.
The Beaver Dam | Our Favorite Place For Black Bears in Tahoe
Just past the second viewing deck is a beaver dam right on the turn of the boardwalk, and the bears love to fish there.
The water is pretty shallow leading up to the beaver dam, so the Kokanee seem to be easier to get there. You’ll also find the Kokanee jumping up the beaver dam to get up stream.. and if you’re lucky, the bears will be there catching the Kokanee as they jump up the dam.
It’s truly a magical moment to witness, and we were blessed to watch multiple different bears fishing right here… even a mama with her two cubs on a few different occasions.
Crossing The Highway
Continuing up Taylor Creek, we often found bears fishing right on the south side of the highway (opposite of the lake side). Here the bears would come down around the corner, and fish before crossing the highway and making their way down to the beaver dam.
Taylor Creek Trail
From across the highway, the Taylor Creek Trail continues up all the way to Fallen Leaf Lake. When the crowds and the “rangers” got too be too much down along the boardwalk, we often would walk up the Taylor Creek Trail to get away from it all.
Up the creek is where we would have the most surreal encounters with the bears. Without a boardwalk, without a railing, and without the crowds, it seemed like it was just us and the bears, sharing a perfect moment in time.
Sure, we’d often have other photographers around with us, but the wildlife photographers around were absolutely lovely. Conversations were phenomenal, and everyone had a mutual respect for the bears and each other.
It truly was an experience unlike anywhere else.
Best Time To See The Black Bears
We kept hearing that the black bears are active year round in this area. But I get the feeling they are much more active during the Kokanee run, as they are fattening themselves up for the winter ahead.
The Kokanee run peeks anywhere between late-Sept through the end of October. But we found the busiest fishing time was the third week of October, and a few other people said the same thing.
With that said, we often heard people say they saw no bears. However, I think if you didn’t see any bears, you weren’t patient enough or paying enough attention.
Slow down and enjoy the walk. Look for movement in the bushes. And find the crowds of people.. you’ll surely see some bears.
Where To Park To See The Black Bears
- Taylor Creek Visitor Center | 38.934996, -120.052612
- Along Highway 89 | 38.933281, -120.055667
- Pump House Parking Lot | 38.933921, -120.057382
We liked parking at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center because there are bathrooms and trash in the parking lot. If you’re driving a large rig, the visitor center parking lot is best for you. It’s large and has RV parking.
Lots of people parked along the highway. There is a small parking area right at the bridge, for about six cars, but other than that, people would park along the shoulder. We don’t recommend parking along the shoulder as this is a busy highway, and parking on the shoulder ruins can ruin the vegetation.
The pump house is a small parking lot that’s right on the trail that goes to Taylor Creek. This is a little bit closer to the bears than the visitor center parking area is, however, it’s a dirt parking lot with no amenities. We never parked in this area, but saw many people that did.
Where To Stay For The Black Bears
We camped for free nearby, however, the closest proper campground is Camp Richardson. There is also a lodge and cabins here — both great options for staying if you don’t have a rig.
The downside to Camp Richardson is they don’t allow any pets. So even if we wanted to camp in a campground, we couldn’t have with Georgie.
If you want to stay in the city nearby, South Lake Tahoe is the closest city to Taylor Creek. In South Lake, you’ll find hotels, cabins, and more.
Recommended Stays
- Budget | Tahoe Hacienda Inn | Check Prices Here
- Average | Black Jack Inn | Check Prices Here
- Luxury | Marriot Grand Residence | Check Prices Here
More on Lake Tahoe + The Area
Things To Do And See in Lake Tahoe in October
Where to Camp For Free in Lake Tahoe
Highway 395 Road Trip Stops
