National Parks Journal
Photo: Christoph Strässler · CC BY-SA 2.0
Katmai National Park & Preserve
A landscape is alive underneath our feet, filled with creatures that remind us what it is to be wild. Katmai was established in 1918 to protect the volcanically devastated region surrounding Novarupta and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. Today, Katmai National Park and Preserve also protects 9,000 years of human history and important habitat for salmon and thousands of brown bears.
Entrance Fees
No entrance fee. Other fees may apply for tours, camping, or transportation.
Getting There
Roads and entrances can close temporarily. Check current conditions on nps.gov (opens in a new tab) before you go.
Entrances & departure points
- Directions to King Salmon (King Salmon Visitor Center) (opens in a new tab)
King Salmon (King Salmon Visitor Center)Main
King Salmon, AK · Scheduled flights from Anchorage; local floatplane air taxis and water taxis · Brooks Camp season about June–mid-September
- Directions to Anchorage (air taxis) (opens in a new tab)
Anchorage (air taxis)
Anchorage, AK · NPS-authorized air taxis (see NPS list) · Mainly June–September
- Directions to Homer (air taxis to the Katmai coast) (opens in a new tab)
Homer (air taxis to the Katmai coast)
Homer, AK · Several NPS-authorized air taxis (see NPS list) · Mainly June–September
- Directions to Kodiak (air taxis) (opens in a new tab)
Kodiak (air taxis)
Kodiak, AK · NPS-authorized air taxis (see NPS list) · Mainly June–September
Airports
- AKN
King Salmon Airport · King Salmon, AK
ClosestSmall airportAlaska Airlines flights from Anchorage.
- ANC
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport · Anchorage, AK
Major airport
No roads reach the park: from King Salmon, floatplanes and water taxis go to Brooks Camp and other areas; air taxis also fly directly from Anchorage, Kenai, Kodiak and Homer.
Towns to stay in
Anchorage, AKFly-in base
Directions to Anchorage (air taxis) — driving directions from Anchorage (opens in a new tab)
Inside the park: Brooks Lodge · NPS lodging info (opens in a new tab)
Activities
Top Hikes
2.4 mi · out & back
Walk through boreal forest to viewing platforms overlooking Brooks Falls, the iconic brown bear fishing spot during salmon runs.
Starts at: Brooks Camp
3 mi · 800 ft gain · out & back
Climb through boreal forest and subalpine meadows to views of Naknek Lake and Brooks River.
Starts at: Brooks Camp Campground
8 mi · 2,000 ft gain · out & back
Continue beyond the overlook through alpine tundra to the 2,440-foot summit with panoramic volcano views.
Starts at: Brooks Camp Campground
3.4 mi · 1,000 ft gain · out & back
Descend to the ash-covered valley floor of the 1912 Novarupta eruption, one of the largest volcanic events in recorded history.
Starts at: Robert F. Griggs Visitor Center
Upcoming Events
No upcoming events scheduled for Katmai National Park & Preserve. Events are updated daily — check back soon or visit nps.gov for the latest.
Best Time to Visit Katmai
Best time to visit: July, September
The best time to visit Katmai National Park & Preserve is July and September. Brown bears gather at Brooks Falls to catch salmon in July and return to fish in September, the prime bear-viewing months.
In those months, average highs are 57–66°F at Brooks Camp. July is the busiest month on average, while September is noticeably quieter.
Monthly averages at Brooks Camp (50 ft). Climate normals (1981–2010): PRISM Group, Oregon State University.
Weather & Climate
Located between the stormy north Pacific Ocean and the even stormier Bering Sea, the Katmai region is often a battleground between weather systems. When you visit, be prepared to encounter all types of weather. On average, wet and cool conditions predominate in spring, summer, and fall. Winters are drier and colder.
