Alaska and Pacific Northwest Region
KATMAI NATIONAL PARK
Welcome to Katmai National Park and Preserve, famous for its brown bears and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, located in southern Alaska. This park offers dramatic volcanic landscapes, unmatched wildlife viewing, and a true wilderness experience.
Did You Know?
- Katmai is home to one of the highest concentrations of brown bears in the world, with more than 2,000 bears.
- The 1912 eruption of Novarupta was about 30 times larger than Mount St. Helens (1980), creating the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes.
- Visitors to Brooks Camp must attend a mandatory bear safety session known as “Bear School.”
My Personal Experience
Katmai is my favorite national park.
It’s one of Alaska’s remote parks with no road access, and my wife and I visited in both 2020 and 2022. On our first visit, we booked a day trip from Anchorage. The logistics alone are part of the adventure: a charter flight to King Salmon, followed by a floatplane to Brooks Camp. You may see your first bear the moment you step off the plane.
The first official stop, however, is Bear School, a mandatory safety briefing by the National Park Service. With one of the largest brown bear populations anywhere, knowing how to behave around them is essential. After “graduating,” you leave all food (except water) behind and head out. A short walk brings you to the first viewing platform, where you can safely watch bears fishing for salmon. From there, you hike about 1.5 miles to Brooks Falls through bear country. One of our most memorable moments happened along that trail. I had just mentioned that I wondered if we’d see a bear up close. Seconds later, we spotted one sitting in the woods about 60 feet away. A few minutes later, another bear was sitting directly on the trail. He sniffed the air, turned toward us and we did exactly what Bear School taught us: slowly backed away while keeping him in sight. Thankfully, he lost interest and disappeared into the woods. Brooks Falls itself is unforgettable. Salmon leaping upstream while bears wait patiently (or not so patiently) to catch them. We could have stayed all day.
Two years later, we returned – this time staying in King Salmon and flying back to Brooks Camp. Even more bears, even more action. We watched a sow teaching her cubs how to fish. I love flying, but I would actually recommend taking the boat from King Salmon to Brooks Camp if you have the time. It’s slower, but the scenery is spectacular. We didn’t make it to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes… yet. That’s definitely on the list for next time.
Basic Facts
Address:
Katmai National Park and Preserve
PO Box 7
King Salmon, AK 99613
Operation Hours and Seasons:
The park is open year-round, with peak visitation in the summer.
Visitors:
Over 30,000 per year (2022)
Entrance Fees:
The park does not charge an entrance fee.
Website:
nps.gov/katm
Map:
nps.gov/katm/planyourvisit/maps.htm
Additional Information:
For additional local information, visit travelalaska.com.
Best Time to Visit
June through mid-September is the ideal time to visit. This is when Brooks Camp is open and bear activity, especially salmon runs, is at its peak.
Recommended Time
The question should rather be ‘how much money do you have’…
1 Day: Fly in to Brooks Camp and experience bear viewing at Brooks Falls
2-3 Days: Add a trip to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes
Getting There
The closest major city is Anchorage, Alaska.
- Fly from Anchorage to King Salmon
- From there, take a floatplane or boat to Brooks Camp
There are no roads into the park.
Weather
Katmai’s maritime climate is heavily influenced by the North Pacific and can change rapidly, even during summer. Rain, wind, fog, and sunshine may all occur on the same day.
- Spring (March to May): 0s–50s°F (0–10°C). Snow and ice begin to retreat, wildlife becomes more active, and bears emerge from hibernation
- Summer (June to August): 50s to 70s°F (10-21°C). Mild temperatures, long daylight hours, and peak bear-viewing season. Rain and fog remain common.
- Fall (September to November): 30s to 50s°F (0-10°C). Cooler temperatures, colorful tundra, and another excellent period for bear viewing as salmon runs continue.
- Winter (December to February): 20s to 40s°F (-6 to 4°C). Cold, snowy, and largely inaccessible except for experienced backcountry travelers
Hiking
Katmai is not primarily a hiking park, but several trails near Brooks Camp provide opportunities to experience the park beyond the bear-viewing platforms:
Easy:
- Brooks Falls Trail – 1.5 miles round trip: The park’s most famous trail connects Brooks Camp with the bear-viewing platforms at Brooks Falls. During salmon season, wildlife sightings are common and visitors may encounter bears along the trail.
- Brooks Lake Trail – 1.5 miles round trip: A scenic walk along the shoreline of Brooks Lake offering beautiful views and opportunities to spot bears, waterfowl, and spawning salmon.
Moderate:
- Dumpling Mountain Trail – 6.4 miles round trip: A steady climb through spruce forest and tundra leading to panoramic views of Brooks Camp, Brooks River, Naknek Lake, and the surrounding mountains. One of the best hikes in the park.
Strenuous:
- Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes: This vast volcanic landscape is the result of the 1912 Novarupta eruption. Visitors typically access the area via the Valley Road and then continue on foot. Distances vary depending on exploration plans, but conditions are remote and require preparation.
Bear Viewing
This is what Katmai is all about.
- Brooks Falls is one of the best bear-viewing locations in the world
- Elevated platforms allow safe, close-up observation
- Peak action occurs during the salmon runs (July and September)
Scenic Drives
There are no roads inside Katmai National Park. Access to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes is via a gravel road from Brooks Camp, typically as part of a guided tour.
Best Viewpoints
- Brooks Falls Platform: Watch the brown bears catch salmon jumping up a waterfall.
- Dumpling Mountain: Panoramic Views over Brooks Camp and Naknek Lake.
Wildlife Viewing
Katmai offers some of the finest wildlife viewing opportunities in North America. Brown bears are the undisputed stars of the park, particularly around Brooks River and Brooks Falls during the annual salmon runs. Watching bears fish, teach cubs, or simply wander through the landscape is an unforgettable experience. Visitors may also encounter moose, red foxes, wolves, bald eagles, and a variety of waterfowl. Even away from Brooks Camp, wildlife sightings are common throughout the park’s vast wilderness.
Photography
- Brown Bears: Few places in the world offer better opportunities to photograph wild brown bears. Brooks Falls and Brooks River provide exceptional close-up viewing while maintaining safe distances.
- Action Photography: Salmon leaping upstream and bears catching fish in midair create some of the most iconic wildlife photography opportunities in North America.
- Volcanic Landscapes: The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes offers a completely different subject matter, with ash-filled valleys, rugged mountains, and stark volcanic scenery.
- Important Note: Tripods are not permitted on the Brooks Falls viewing platforms, and viewing times may be limited during periods of heavy visitation.
Horseback Riding
Due to the remote and rugged nature of the park, horseback riding is not common.
General Aviation
King Salmon Airport (PAKN) in King Salmon, AK is the gateway to Katmai National Park:
- Longest runway: 8,901 feet
- 100LL available
- Outfitters offering scenic flights and shuttle service to the park
Weather is often the limiting factor for flights into Katmai. Coastal fog, low ceilings, strong winds, and rapidly changing conditions frequently affect flight operations. Visitors should build flexibility into their schedules, as delays and cancellations are not uncommon.
Nearby Attractions
Weather permitting you might be able to hop on a chartered flight to ‘neighboring’ Lake Clark or some even more remote sites of the National Park System:
- Lake Clark National Park and Preserve: Another remote Alaska park featuring active volcanoes, brown bears, glaciers, and excellent flightseeing opportunities.
- Alagnak Wild River: A designated Wild River known for world-class fishing, rafting, and wildlife viewing.
- Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve: One of the least-visited units in the National Park System, protecting a massive volcanic caldera and rugged wilderness.
Important Tips
- Bears: Bear School is mandatory for a reason. Always follow ranger instructions and maintain appropriate distances from wildlife.
- Weather: Flights, boat transfers, and outdoor activities are frequently affected by weather. Build flexibility into your itinerary.
- Reservations: Lodging, tours, and transportation often sell out months in advance. Plan ahead.
- Food Storage: Food restrictions are strictly enforced around Brooks Camp to minimize bear encounters.
- Safety: Visitors venturing beyond developed areas should carry navigation equipment and emergency communication devices.
Katmai delivers one of the most intense wildlife experiences in the entire National Park System. Watching brown bears fish at Brooks Falls sometimes just yards away is something you will never forget. Yes, it takes effort (and budget) to get here, but the reward is one of the most authentic and raw wilderness experiences you can have.
