National Park Guide

Katmai National Park

Alaska, US

Where massive brown bears gather at cascading waterfalls to feast on spawning salmon in volcanic wilderness.

3,674,530

Acres

Trails

1980

Established

89,000

Annual Visitors

Quick Info

Season

June - September

Entrance Fee

Free

Nearest Airport

King Salmon Airport (AKN), Fly-in only (floatplane from King Salmon)

Best Months

July, August, September

Highlights

Brooks Falls bear viewing platform
Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes
Sockeye salmon spawning runs
Novarupta volcanic landscape
Backcountry fishing and rafting

Park Map

Explore trailheads, hotels, and points of interest

Top Trails

Featured trailheads in Katmai National Park

Brooks Falls Trail

Easy

1.2 miles round trip

50 ft gain

Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes Trail

Strenuous

12.0 miles round trip

1,000 ft gain

Dumpling Mountain Trail

Strenuous

5.0 miles round trip

800 ft gain

Brooks Camp Cultural Trail

Easy

0.5 miles round trip

20 ft gain

Margot Creek Trail

Moderate

3.0 miles round trip

200 ft gain

About Katmai National Park

Katmai National Park is renowned for the world-famous Brooks Falls bear viewing platform, where dozens of brown bears fish for sockeye salmon each summer. The park also protects the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a dramatic volcanic landscape created by the 1912 eruption of Novarupta.

In-Depth Guide

Katmai National Park Guide: Best Activities, When to Visit & Where to Stay

Plan your trip to Katmai National Park. Bear viewing at Brooks Falls, best months to visit, where to stay, and essential tips for Alaska's premier wildlife park.

12 min read

Weather Overview

Average monthly temperatures

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Hotels

3 options near Katmai National Park

Weather

Monthly climate data

Best Time to Visit

Month-by-month analysis

Hiking Gear

Expert-tested picks

Where to Stay

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Alaska's Gold Creek Lodge

$$$

A 3-star lodge in King Salmon with direct beach access on the Naknek River. Offers free breakfast, parking, airport shuttle, and balconied rooms with flat-screen TVs.

Gateway town (King Salmon)$300-500/night

Check on Hotels.com

Hotel Captain Cook

$$$

Iconic luxury hotel in downtown Anchorage with four restaurants, ocean views, fitness classes, a spa, and shopping on site. A premium staging point for flights to Katmai.

Gateway city (Anchorage)$250-400/night

Check on Hotels.com

Hilton Anchorage

$$$

Full-service hotel in downtown Anchorage offering an indoor pool, restaurant, gym, and convenient access to flights connecting to King Salmon and Katmai.

Gateway city (Anchorage)$200-350/night

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Compare Katmai National Park

See how Katmai National Park stacks up against other national parks

Katmai National Park vs Denali National Park

Choose Katmai for the ultimate bear-viewing experience at Brooks Falls. Choose Denali for the chance to see the tallest peak in North America and experience diverse tundra wildlife.

See full comparison