Katmai National Park & Preserve
National Park · Alaska

Katmai National Park & Preserve

Photo: Captain Budd Christman, NOAA Corps · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Katmai is a roadless Alaskan wilderness of volcanoes, lakes and rivers, best known for brown bears catching salmon at Brooks Falls. You can also take a bus tour to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a valley filled with ash from a 1912 eruption. Brooks Camp is reached only by floatplane, and lodging books a year or more ahead.

Good to know

Tickets
The park does not charge an entry fee. Floatplane flights, lodging and camping at Brooks Camp cost extra and must be booked ahead; check nps.gov for details.
Time needed
A full day for a fly-in bear trip; 2 to 3 days to explore Brooks Camp more slowly.
Best time
July for bears fishing at Brooks Falls; September for many bears feeding along the river. Brooks Camp services run June to mid-September.
Getting there
Floatplanes fly from King Salmon to Brooks Camp in about 20 minutes. Nearest major airport is Anchorage, with a 1-hour flight to King Salmon; there are no roads to the park.

Where to stay nearby

Gateway towns with hotels and food, close to the park entrances:
King Salmon, Alaska
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Katmai National Park & Preserve questions

When is the best time to see bears at Brooks Falls?

July is peak season for bears catching jumping salmon. September also has many bears, and fewer visitors.

How do I get to Katmai National Park?

Fly from Anchorage to King Salmon, then take a floatplane to Brooks Camp. Day-trip packages from Anchorage, Homer and Kodiak are also available.

Where should I stay at Katmai?

Brooks Lodge and the Brooks Camp campground are the only options at the falls and book up far in advance. Many visitors do a day trip instead.

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