LIVING LANDSCAPE
Katmai National Park in the Alaska Peninsula is one of the best places to see coastal brown bears in North America. The park is also renowned for the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, the result of a devastating volcanic eruption.
While challenging to get to, visitors are rewarded with once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
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KATMAI NATIONAL PARK OVERVIEW
Entrance Fee: None
Established: September 24, 1918 (as Katmai National Monument)
Location: Alaska
Nearby Communities: King Salmon
Park Size: 4.3 million acres
Reservations: Reservations are not required to enter the park. You will need to reserve transportation to the park via plane or boat.
Visitor Centers: There are visitor centers located in King Salmon and Brooks Camp.
UNIQUE THINGS TO DO AT KATMAI
Bear viewing in Katmai National Park is abundant thanks to its large population of brown bears. Brooks Falls is a popular location to see bears fishing as salmon swim upriver.
The park was established to protect the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a desolate region impacted by the largest volcanic eruption of the twentieth century. Daily bus tours leave from Brooks Camp to travel through the valley.
Several hiking trails will lead to sweeping views of the area. Sights include a variety of lakes and mountain peaks. You can also explore the lakes by paddle craft.
For more ideas, check out our list of the 13 best things to do in Katmai National Park.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO KATMAI
HOW TO GET TO KATMAI NATIONAL Park
Katmai National Park is not on the road system in Alaska.
The easiest way to access the park is by flying from Anchorage to King Salmon. From there, fly or take a ferry from King Salmon to Brooks Camp.
Several companies offer day trips from Anchorage and Homer to Brooks Camp. Learn more in our guide on how to get to Katmai.
WHERE TO STAY IN KATMAI NATIONAL PARK
Most visitors to Katmai stay in Brooks Camp. Make your lodging reservations early. As soon as rooms or campsites go on sale, they sell out.
Brooks Camp is home to Brooks Lodge, a hotel with several cabins to rent.
Visitors can also stay at the Brooks Camp Campground. The campground is surrounded by electric fencing to keep bears out.
If both of these options are full, backpacking is another option in the park.
Learn more about each of these options in our post on where to stay in Katmai.
BEST TIME TO VISIT KATMAI NATIONAL PARK
Summer is the best season to visit Katmai. The months of May to September will have the most pleasant weather.
If you’re staying in Brooks Camp, bear viewing is best when the salmon run is most active. This is typically late June to mid-July.
Bears also return to Brooks Camp in September to feast on salmon leftovers.
KATMAI NATIONAL PARK WEATHER
45°F
KATMAI NATIONAL PARK MAP
Click on the map above to enlarge and download it.
Is Katmai National Park Dog Friendly?
Because of the large brown bear population, pets and dogs are not safe in Brooks Camp.
While they are allowed in other parts of the park, service animals and pets are not permitted in Brooks Camp for their protection.
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Katmai National Park & Preserve Map
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