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Katmai National Park & PreserveTheme(s): Native American | Alaska Native | |
Description:
Katmai is famous for volcanoes, brown bears, fish, and rugged wilderness and is also the site of the Brooks River National Historic Landmark with North America's highest concentration of prehistoric human dwellings (about 900).
Katmai National Monument was created to preserve the famed Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a spectacular forty square mile, 100 to 700 foot deep, pyroclastic ash flow deposited by Novarupta Volcano.
There are at least fourteen volcanoes in Katmai considered "active", none of which are currently erupting.
Brown bear and salmon are very active in Katmai. The number of brown bears has grown to more than 2,000. During the peak of the world's largest sockeye salmon run each July, and during return of the "spawned out" salmon in September, forty to sixty bears congregate in Brooks Camp along the Brooks River and the Naknek Lake and Brooks Lake shorelines. Brown bears along the 480
mile Katmai Coast also enjoy clams, crabs, and an occasional whale carcass.
A rich variety of other wildlife is found in the Park as well.
There is plenty room for great diversity of wildlife in Katmai which encompasses millions of acres of pristine wilderness, with wild rivers and streams, rugged coastlines, broad green glacial hewn valleys, active glaciers and volcanoes, and Naknek Lake.
Designations:
Katmai National Monument (September 24, 1918)
National Park & Preserve (December 2, 1980)
Wilderness (December 2, 1980)
Accessibility:
Most of the public buildings in Brooks Camp, including the restroom facilities, are accessible, via ramps, to those with limited mobility; however, the narrow dirt paths in Brooks Camp are rough and can become very muddy and slippery during the
frequent rainy days. The lower bear viewing platform, which is over 1/4 mile from the Visitor Center across a floating bridge, is also accessible, but we caution those with physical difficulties that inadvertent very close encounters with brown bears are possible and may require visitors to move quickly. The trail to Brooks Falls and the Falls bear viewing platform are not accessible to those with physical disabilities. This area is also not appropriate for any visitor unable to move quickly off the trail and into the woods, especially during high bear density in July.
Getting Around:
Viewing brown bears in their natural habitat and fishing are very popular activities in Katmai. Safety and preparation for varying conditions are the most important considerations when visiting a wilderness area like Katmai National Park & Preserve.
Although a bear may be encountered anywhere in Katmai from late May into December, the best times for bear viewing at Brooks Camp are late-June through July and September. There are few, if any, bears around Brooks in June and August, though they are seen occasionally during these
times.
July and September are crowded with both bears and people.
Delays in getting to and from the bear viewing platforms are common and can occur at any time, although such delays offer opportunities for viewing other wildlife and the spectacular scenery all-around Brooks Camp.
Katmai is bear habitat, and they always have the right-of-way. Weather and bears are always a factor at Katmai, so plan extra time to work around delays. There are occasions, especially in July, when visitors are unable to get to the Falls Platform due to time constraints and flight schedules.
Extenuating circumstances may necessitate closure of any portion of Brooks Camp, including trails and bear viewing platforms for safety reasons without advance notice.
Activites:
Boating | Camping | Climbing | Educational Programs | Fishing | Hiking | Hunting | Wilderness Area | Wildlife Viewing | Snow Skiing | Backpacking | Bird Watching | Mountaineering | Nature Walks | Kayaking | Whitewater Rafting | And more.
Facilities:
Visitor_Centers | Restaurant or Snack Bar | Lodging | Picnic Areas | Groceries or Supplies | Cabin Rentals | Tours & Guided Activities | And more.
Nature: Bears | Volcanoes | Glaciers | And more.
Directions to Katmai National Park & Preserve
Plane:
Katmai National Park Preserve is located on the Alaska Peninsula, across from Kodiak Island. Park Headquarters is in King Salmon, about 290 air miles southwest of Anchorage. Several commercial airlines provide daily flights into King Salmon as there is no road access. Brooks Camp, along the Brooks River approximately 30 air miles from King Salmon, is a common destination for visitors to the Park. Brooks Camp can only be reached via small float plane or boat.
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Contact Information for Katmai National Park & Preserve
Katmai NP&P Field HeadQuarters
P.O. Box 7, #1 King Salmon Mall
King Salmon, AK
99613
Phone: (907) 271-3751
Fax: 907-246-4286
Located near King Salmon, AK
For more information on Katmai National Park & Preserve
Information on this page provided by the NPS.
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