Article Summary: Where to Stay in Katmai National Park, Katmai National Park Lodging, Katmai National Park Camping
If you’ve been planning a trip to Katmai, you know it’s one of the more remote areas of Alaska. So you might be curious about where to stay in Katmai National Park. This guide is for you.
We’ll go into detail about every option for where to stay in Katmai National Park and Preserve: Brooks Lodge, Brooks Camp Campground, and backcountry camping.
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Table of Contents
Katmai National Park & Preserve Overview
Location: Alaska
Gateway Town: King Salmon
Best Airport: The closest major airport is Anchorage, but you’ll need to fly to King Salmon from there. Alaska Airlines is highly recommended for this region. Learn more about how to get to Katmai
Best Time to Visit: June to mid-September – Learn more about when to visit Katmai
How to Get Around: You’ll explore the park primarily on foot. Visiting Brooks Camp will require either a flight or a boat ride. There’s also a bus tour to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. You can explore the lakes around Brooks Camp in rented kayaks.
Pets: While technically allowed in the park, pets and service animals aren’t permitted in Brooks Camp for their safety.
Fee: There is no entrance fee to Katmai. The only national park in Alaska with an entrance fee is Denali. Learn more about national park entry fees.
Reservations: It’s important to book well in advance. Make lodging or camping reservations as soon as possible. Secure transportation once lodging reservations are confirmed.
Where to Stay: Within park boundaries, your options are Brooks Lodge and Brooks Camp Campground. For options in King Salmon, browse Expedia. Learn more about where to stay in Katmai
Where is Katmai National Park?
Katmai National Park is in southwestern Alaska, about 290 miles southwest of Anchorage on the northern Alaska Peninsula. The park is not on the Alaska road system. Visiting Katmai requires flying or taking a boat.
While Katmai is the fourth largest national park in the country, most visitors only see a tiny fraction of the park at Brooks Camp. Since it’s so difficult to get to, it’s also one of the least visited national parks.
Katmai National Park Map
Click on the maps above to enlarge them and download them. It’s highly recommended to save these maps to your device before traveling to Katmai. You won’t have any cell service or WiFi in the park. The Visitor Centers in King Salmon and Brooks Camp will also have physical copies to hand out.
How to Get to Katmai National Park
While it’s not easy to get to Katmai, it is an incredible trip unlike any other. The logistics are complicated. We’ll try to make it as simple as possible with this guide on how to get to Katmai.
Where to Stay in Katmai National Park
You can stay in either King Salmon or Brooks Camp. King Salmon may be less expensive, but Brooks Camp is within park boundaries and will allow you to spend more time with the grizzlies.
There are three options for where to stay in Katmai National Park: Brooks Lodge, Brooks Camp Campground, and backcountry camping.
Backpacking in Katmai National Park
Backcountry camping is the cheapest option. In fact, it’s free! You don’t need to pay any fees or even obtain a permit to go backpacking in Katmai National Park.
That said, it can be a difficult option as you have to be prepared for anything. You’ll need to bring everything you need with you on the small planes taken to these remote areas. It can also be taxing if you aren’t used to long walks or carrying gear.
Campers are required to be outside of the Brooks Camp Developed Area, so most choose to hike along the road to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. The trail to Dumpling Mountain is another option.
You’ll need a bear canister for storing food and scented items. These are available for free at the Brooks Camp Visitor Center and King Salmon Visitor Center.
The Baked Mountain Huts were a popular option for backpackers, but they were unfortunately destroyed in a storm in 2018.
Camping at Brooks Camp Campground in Katmai National Park
Check out the video above for a tour of Brooks Camp Campground from the National Park Service. The video also details crucial information about food restrictions and more.
Brooks Camp Campground is the most popular option, but it’s limited. The campground can only accommodate 60 people, so you need to get reservations as early as possible. The campground is open (weather permitting) from May 1 to October 31 with peak season from June 1 to mid-September.
To keep campers safe from bears (and bears safe from campers), the entire campground is surrounded by an electric fence. There aren’t any designated sites with numbers, so you’ll claim an empty packed-down spot upon arrival.
There are 2 pit toilets in the campground. There’s also a food cache room where you’ll store anything with a scent. There’s also a gear cache room for anything you don’t need at your campsite. You’ll cook all of your food in one of the three cook shelters in the campground. There aren’t showers in the campground, but you can pay for tokens to take a shower at the Lodge. There’s no electricity in the campground.
How to Reserve a Campsite at Brooks Camp Campground
It’s crucial that you reserve your spots in the campground on the day they’re released. This is typically in January. Reservations usually open at 8 a.m. Alaska Standard Time.
When I reserved, most of the camping availability in July and September (the best months for bear viewing) were full by 8:07 a.m. By 8:30 a.m., June 25 to August 6 was completely sold out.
I highly recommend creating an account on Recreation.gov (the website that handles reservations) before you try and book. Accounts are required, so if you don’t have one it will interrupt your reservation to have you create one. Sign in before you begin booking to save time.
I wouldn’t book any plane tickets or other reservations until your campground reservation is confirmed. The availability dwindles so quickly that you are not guaranteed the dates you’re hoping for in any way. If visiting Katmai is one of your goals during a trip to Alaska, plan the rest of your trip around the dates you’re camping at Brooks Camp.
Make Your Reservations: Click here to access Recreation.gov
Camping reservations cost $18 per person during peak season in addition to a $6 reservation fee.
Cancellations do happen. Check Recreation.gov frequently to see up-to-date availability.
Staying at Brooks Lodge in Katmai National Park
Brooks Lodge is the most luxurious option in the park, but also the most expensive. The Lodge features several small cabins that sleep up to 4 people. Each one includes two bunk beds, heat, electricity, and a private bathroom. Cabins cost $1,125 per night.
Brooks Lodge also serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. These meals are buffet-style with set pricing (for adults, $23 for breakfast, $29 for lunch, and $42 for dinner). And yes, they do serve salmon.
The Lodge also manages the Katmai Trading Post. There are various items sold and rented here, including fishing equipment and binoculars. They also sell souvenirs, camp fuel (which you cannot fly with), and other essentials.
How to Reserve a Room at Brooks Lodge
As you can imagine, it’s quite competitive to reserve a spot in the Brooks Lodge. There are only 16 rooms! For this reason, they have a lottery system.
The lottery usually opens in December, 18 months before you’d like to travel. For example, to visit in the Summer of 2025, the lottery was in December 2023. Mark your calendar for December 1-31, 2024 if you’re hoping to visit in 2026. The more flexible you are with your dates, the more likely you are to receive a reservation.
If you didn’t plan far enough ahead, there is a waiting list. Cancellations do happen, so keep in touch with staff at the Lodge.
Staying in King Salmon
If you aren’t able to secure reservations to stay in Brooks Camp, King Salmon is another option. Then you can make Brooks Camp a day trip. Most hotels in King Salmon cost around $400 per night, so when you include the ferry or a flight to Brooks Camp, it’s cheaper than staying at Brooks Lodge.
Staying in Anchorage
Almost all trips to Katmai National Park begin in Anchorage. For those doing a day trip to the park, it’s likely you’ll stay in Anchorage as well.
How Long to Spend in Katmai National Park
If you can, it’s best to spend two nights and three days in Katmai. This allows you plenty of time to make a few trips to Brooks Falls to view the bears and another full day for a bus tour to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. Learn more in our article on things to do in Katmai National Park.
Did you know? Despite Katmai’s reputation for bears, the park was actually established to protect the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century. What’s left is known as the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes.
When to Visit Katmai National Park
While the park is open year-round, most services and attractions are available from June to mid-September. Generally, the bears are most active at Brooks Falls during the salmon runs from late June to mid-July. Learn more in our article on the best time to visit Katmai National Park.
What to Bring to Katmai National Park
Clothing: Dress in Layers
The weather is unpredictable in Katmai, so you should be prepared with plenty of layers. Start with short and long-sleeved hiking tops and loose-fitting hiking pants to help protect from mosquitoes. Then, layer as needed with long underwear, leggings, a sweatshirt, a puffy jacket, or a rain jacket as needed. You might also want to bring rain pants, depending on the weather and how often you’ll be outdoors. Don’t forget wool socks!
Shoes: Hiking Boots or Sneakers and Camp Shoes
We recommend bringing two pairs of shoes, depending on what you want to do in Katmai. If you are planning to hike at all, particularly with a ranger in the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, we recommend good hiking boots. If you are only going on a day trip and hiking the Brooks Falls Trail, sneakers or tennis shoes are fine.
Then, if you’re camping or staying in the Brooks Lodge, you may want comfy shoes to slip into at the end of the day. Lightweight, packable camp shoes are ideal.
Beanie and Gloves
Be prepared for fluctuating temperatures with a nice beanie and a pair of gloves. You may also want a neck buff (bonus protection against mosquitoes).
Day Pack
While walking around Brooks Camp or taking a trip to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, you’ll want a small day pack. Use this to carry your camera, water, wallet, bug spray, hat, and anything else you might need. Remember not to carry food around Brooks Camp.
Camping Equipment
If you’re camping at Brooks Camp Campground, you’ll also want to bring standard camping equipment: a small, lightweight tent; sleeping bag; sleeping pad; pillow; pack; sleeping bag liner; and camp stove with cookware. Check out this great backpacking bundle at REI (tent+sleeping bag+sleeping pad for under $400!).
Bug Spray and Mosquito Netting
The bugs are surprisingly unpleasant at Katmai National Park. The wet, boggy conditions are perfect for them, it turns out. You’ll want bug spray with close to 100% deet, but this probably won’t help. Mosquito netting and bug jackets are your best option.
Binoculars
For the best bear viewing, those without long lenses will benefit from having binoculars. If you don’t want to bring your own, you can also rent a pair from the Katmai Trading Post.
Battery Pack
Since there’s no electricity in the campground, campers will find a battery pack to be very handy. You won’t have service, but you will want to use your phone to take photos and it’s nice to be able to charge it.
Reusable Water Bottle
Plastic bottles aren’t sold in Brooks Camp, so bring a reusable bottle and use the water-filling stations to stay hydrated.
Katmai National Park Map
This Trails Illustrated map of Katmai National Park is tear and water-resistant. This quality is essential in Alaska where the weather is highly unpredictable. This is essential for backpackers. The maps handed out for free at the Visitor Centers are suitable for daytrippers.
Camera Equipment
In addition to your camera, you’ll want a long lens for distance shots as well as a wide-angle lens for bears that are closer. These are also helpful for photographing the beautiful scenery in the park, including the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. Lens rain covers are recommended due to the unpredictable weather.
With limited electricity, you’ll also want to bring multiple batteries and your charging cord. Don’t forget extra memory cards and a camera bag to carry it all in.
Some spots in Anchorage will rent camera equipment. If you’re worried about weight, you might consider renting mirrorless cameras and lenses. These will be much lighter. While you can’t use a tripod at the Brooks Falls viewing platform, monopods are allowed.
Cash
Cash is required for coffee at the Lodge and is always handy to have in case you need it.
What NOT to Bring
In Katmai, this is just as important.
Camp Fuel
You can’t fly with fuel, so you won’t be able to bring any with you. Campers usually leave their partially used canisters behind in the fuel cache inside the campground. Check here for spares (usually dated with the date the campers checked out). If there aren’t any, the Katmai Trading Post sells fuel.
Bear Spray
You also cannot fly with bear spray, so you won’t be bringing this with you on your trip. If you are going backpacking, speak to your taxi service about other options, such as storing it on the plane but outside of the passenger cabin.
While hiking, the best bear deterrent is your human voice. Be loud, especially if you’re turning blind corners or in a particularly brushy area with limited visibility.
Pets and Service Animals
Pets and service animals are not allowed in Brooks Camp. With so many brown bears in the area, this is for their safety as well as your own. They are allowed in other areas of the park. Here’s a quote from the National Park Service:
Pets are allowed in the backcountry but must be under physical control at all times. Pets and service animals are not allowed within the Brooks Camp Developed Area (BCDA), defined as a 1.5 mile radius from the Brooks Falls Platform, between May 1 and October 31.
KATMAI NATIONAL PARK
Firearms
Most air taxis will not allow you to fly with firearms. Furthermore, Katmai National Park doesn’t allow anyone to hunt with, discharge, or carry firearms. These activities are only permitted in Katmai National Preserve.
You may be wondering what the difference is, which is a fair question. Sometimes national park boundaries are confusing. Essentially, National Preserves allow for certain subsistence uses that many National Parks do not. This may include hunting or traveling on ATVs. Refer to the Katmai National Park map at the top of the page to see where the boundaries between the Park and Preserve land are.
Tripods and Drones
Tripods are not allowed on the Brooks Falls viewing platform during peak season. They are permitted after August 15. Monopods are fine.
Drones are not permitted in any national parks.
Final Tips for Visiting Katmai National Park
Connectivity
Prepare to have no cell reception within the park or in King Salmon. WiFi access is also limited. Prepare to enter a digital detox during your trip to Katmai.
Check Current Conditions
Before visiting any national park, check the official website for any alerts or updates regarding current conditions. This is crucial for staying informed about closures or any other significant events that could disrupt your plans.
Reserve As Soon As Possible
Make your reservations as early as possible to secure lodging, transportation, and activities. Early booking will ensure availability and save you money, especially for transportation.
Allow Time for Bear Jams
Bear jams are common, especially on the Brooks River bridge between the Visitor Center/Lodge/Campground area and the Brooks Falls Trail. Allow plenty of time to travel between this area and your departure point for flights or ferries. You may experience delays of up to 30 minutes while bears clear the bridge.
Try Multiple Viewing Platforms
Several viewing platforms, including the deck at Brooks Falls, offer excellent vantage points. If one platform is crowded, explore others along the path. The floating bridge near Brooks Camp is another recommended viewing location.
While there are capacity limits on the Brooks Falls platform, other platforms have no restrictions.
For optimal viewing opportunities with fewer crowds, consider arriving early in the day or after 4 p.m., particularly to avoid day-trippers to Brooks Camp.
Expect the Unexpected
Weather delays are common in Katmai, so maintain flexibility in your travel plans. Budget for unexpected expenses, such as an additional night’s stay in King Salmon if you’re flight to Anchorage is canceled.
View the Brooks Falls Webcam
If you can’t wait for your visit, take advantage of the Brooks Falls webcam, which streams bear activity throughout the summer. Additionally, you can check the webcam feed at the Brooks Camp Visitor Center for bear activity before heading to the Falls Platform.
Pin Where to Stay in Katmai National Park
Thanks for taking the time to read the article. Now it’s time to plan your trip to Katmai and Alaska! Before you go, consider pinning this post so you can refer to it later and read our other articles on Alaska National Parks.
