Katmai National Park
Katmai National Park and Preserve is one of the wildest and most remote national parks in the United States. Located on the Alaska Peninsula, the park is famous for its massive population of brown bears, active volcanic landscapes, and the iconic Brooks Falls where bears gather to catch migrating salmon. Katmai also protects the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a dramatic volcanic landscape created by one of the most powerful eruptions of the 20th century.
Park Data & Statistics
- State: Alaska
- Established: December 2, 1980
- Original Protection: Katmai National Monument (1918)
- Park Size: ~4.1 million acres
- Annual Visitors: ~85,000
- Major Volcano: Mount Katmai
- Number of Volcanoes: Over 15 within the park
Best Time to Visit
Summer (June–September)
Best time for bear viewing and wildlife activity.
July–September
Peak salmon runs attract large numbers of bears.
Winter visits are extremely rare due to harsh weather.
Best Photography Locations
- Brooks Falls during salmon runs
- Brown bears fishing for salmon
- Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes
- Naknek Lake mountain scenery
Camping & Lodging Options
Brooks Camp Campground
The primary campground within the park.
Lodging is available at the Brooks Lodge, located near Brooks Falls.
Indigenous / Cultural Significance
The region surrounding Katmai has long been inhabited by Indigenous peoples including the Alutiiq People, who lived along the coast and depended on fishing and marine resources.
Entrance Fees & Pass Information
There is no entrance fee to visit Katmai National Park.
The America the Beautiful Annual Pass covers entry to all U.S. national parks for one year.
Hidden Gems Most Visitors Miss
- Savonoski Loop Trail
- Remote coastal areas
- Ukak Falls
- Quiet lakeshore viewpoints
- Remote backcountry bear habitats
Additional Resources (1)
• Official Katmai National Park Website (National Park Service) – Official park information, alerts, and visitor planning resources.
• Katmai National Park Maps – Download official park maps including Brooks Camp and hiking areas.
• Katmai Bear Viewing Information – Details about visiting Brooks Falls and bear safety.
• Katmai Current Conditions & Alerts – Weather updates and park alerts.
• Brooks Camp Visitor Information – Information about visiting Brooks Camp and Brooks Falls.
Popular Hiking Trails
- Brooks Falls Trail
1.2 miles round trip – Famous bear viewing area along the Brooks River. - Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes Trail
Various distances – Hikes across volcanic ash landscapes. - Dumpling Mountain Trail
3 miles round trip – Scenic overlook above Naknek Lake. - Ukak Falls Trail
Moderate hike to a powerful waterfall. - Savonoski Loop Trail
2.2 miles – Trail through forests and lakeshore areas.
Top Scenic Viewpoints
- Brooks Falls bear viewing platforms
- Dumpling Mountain overlook
- Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes
- Naknek Lake shoreline
Beginner-Friendly Activities
- Bear viewing at Brooks Falls
- Short hikes near Brooks Camp
- Visitor center exhibits
- Scenic floatplane tours
Nearby Getaway Towns
The park is primarily accessed via flights from:
King Salmon – Main gateway town with air access to the park.
Waterfalls, Lakes, or Natural Highlights
- Brooks Falls
- Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes
- Naknek Lake
- Katmai volcanoes
- Coastal wilderness
Scenic Drives
There are no roads in Katmai National Park. Visitors access the park through:
- Floatplanes
- Boat travel
- Remote bush flights
Maps & Navigation Resources
Visitors can use:
- Official NPS park maps
- onX Backcountry App
- AllTrails hiking maps
- Printed visitor center maps
- GPS navigation hiking apps
One Day Itinerary
Morning
- Fly into Brooks Camp
- Visit Brooks Falls bear viewing platform
Midday
- Lunch at Brooks Lodge
- Explore Brooks River trails
Afternoon
- Hike Dumpling Mountain
- Wildlife viewing along Naknek Lake
Evening
- Sunset photography along the lake
- Overnight at Brooks Lodge
Popular Flora
The park contains diverse desert plant life.
Common plants include:
- Joshua trees
- Cholla cactus
- Creosote bushes
- Mojave yucca
- Desert wildflowers
Popular Fauna
Mammals:
- Brown bears
- Caribou
- Wolves
- Red foxes
Birds:
- Bald eagles
- Puffins
- Gulls
Marine wildlife:
- Harbor seals
- Sea otters
Advanced/Backcountry Activites
- Multi-day wilderness backpacking
- Remote bear viewing expeditions
- Backcountry camping
- Sea kayaking along the coast
Park History
Katmai became a national monument in 1918 after the massive eruption of Novarupta Volcano, one of the largest volcanic eruptions of the 20th century. The eruption created the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes and dramatically reshaped the surrounding landscape.
Visitor Tips and Safety
- Katmai is extremely remote—most visitors arrive by plane.
- Always follow bear safety guidelines.
- Carry bear spray in backcountry areas.
- Weather conditions can change rapidly.
Top 5 Bucket List Experiences
- Watch brown bears catch salmon at Brooks Falls
- Explore the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes
- Fly over Katmai’s volcanic landscapes
- Hike Dumpling Mountain for panoramic views
- Experience remote Alaskan wilderness
Fun Facts
- Katmai protects one of the largest populations of brown bears in the world.
- Brooks Falls is one of the most famous bear viewing locations on Earth.
- The 1912 Novarupta eruption was larger than Mount St. Helens in 1980.
- The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes was created by volcanic ash deposits from that eruption.
- Katmai is one of the most remote national parks in North America.
Additional Resources (2)
• Brooks Lodge Reservations – Lodging information for Brooks Lodge.
• AllTrails – Katmai National Park Trails – Hiking maps and exploration routes.
• National Park Foundation – Katmai Overview – Conservation information and park highlights.
• Alaska Tourism – Katmai Guide – Regional travel information and visitor tips.
• Katmai National Park Wikipedia Overview – Background on park history, geology, and wildlife.