This protocol narrative and associated standard operating procedures (SOPs) provide detailed information on monitoring brown bears (Ursus arctos) in four national park units in the Southwest Alaska Network (SWAN): Alagnak Wild River, Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve, Katmai National Park and Preserve (KATM) and Lake Clark National Park and Preserve (LACL). The protocol narrative provides a general overview of the history, justification, sampling methods and procedures for performing monitoring. SOPs offer step-by-step instructions for performing the various monitoring tasks and are more detailed in nature than the protocol narrative.