The enclosure was built to replace the former, smaller concrete pits, providing animals with access to the Aare river.
The resident bears are the official mascots of Bern, appearing on the city's coat of arms since the 13th century.
The design includes a specific 'bear tunnel' that allows animals to move between different sections of the habitat.
BearPark is part of the larger Bern Animal Park, which manages the facility under modern animal welfare standards.
The terrain utilizes the natural slope of the river valley to provide varying elevations for the bears.
BearPark is an open-air enclosure situated on the banks of the Aare River, specifically designed to house brown bears as the living symbol of Bern. The facility spans 6,000 square meters, featuring a steep riverbank, swimming pools, and caves integrated into the natural landscape. It allows bears to behave naturally, roaming between the riverside and the upper park area. Visitors can observe the bears from public paths that run directly alongside the enclosure. The park is a modern extension of the historic Bärengraben, which remains preserved nearby as a heritage site. It is integrated into the larger Dählhölzli Tierpark organization. The site is physically connected to the Old Town by the Nydeggbrücke bridge.
The elevated viewing deck on the Nydeggbrücke bridge provides an excellent aerial perspective of the entire park.
Walk the entire length of the path from the bridge down to the river level to see different vantage points.
Check the park's live webcam online before visiting to see if the bears are currently active in the enclosure.
Combine your visit with a walk through the adjacent historic Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Do not expect to see the bears if they have retreated into the non-public dens or are hibernating.
Do not throw food or objects into the enclosure; stay on designated paths.
