A Day Trip to Katmai National Park

A trip to Katmai may feel like an adventure in itself, but it offers a unique opportunity to experience the remote Alaskan wilderness. From the volcanic landscape of the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes to the bear-viewing opportunities at Brooks Falls, the park provides an abundance of outdoor experiences.

Because of the increased popularity, the lodge at Brooks Falls only has 16 rooms that are usually booked a year ahead of time, and done through a lottery system. Alternatively, you can tent camp or stay in King Salmon. Visitors are still able to visit the park on a day trip from either Anchorage or King Salmon.

6 AM - Depart Anchorage

As Katmai is almost exclusively accessible by plane or boat, take a 1.5-2 hour floatplane flight from Anchorage to Brooks Camp, the main entry point for most visitors. During the flight, keep yours eyes open as you pass over glacial rivers, mountains, and forests.

8 AM - Arrive at Books Camp & Brooks Falls

Upon arrival, a Brooks Lodge staff will guide you to "Bear School" administered by a National Park ranger to teach you the layout of the area and how to stay safe in bear country.

This area is most famous for its bear-viewing opportunities where visitors can witness grizzly bears fishing for salmon. From late June through mid-September, the falls become swarmed with bears using the waterfall’s plunge pool to catch fish as they swim upstream. To reach the bear viewing platforms, visitors must take a scenic walk through the park. The pathway starts at the Brooks Camp area and is an ~ 1-mile walk (1.6 km) along a dirt road, through a dense forest.

Spend the next couple of hours walking along the specially designed boardwalks and observation platforms, where you’ll have plenty of opportunities to witness the bears in action in their natural habitat.

12 PM - Lunch

A hot buffet-style lunch is available each day in the Brooks Lodge dining area and can be purchased on-site. When camping or staying in the lodge, always store food and scented items in bear-resistant containers.

1 PM - Guided Tour of Brooks Camp and Its History

After lunch, join a guided tour with a park ranger. Learn how the camp is run and about the area’s past, from its early use by Native Alaskan cultures to its role in the development of Katmai National Park after the 1912 volcanic eruption, which created the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes.

You could also explore the park on a short hike on nearby trails, such as the Brooks River Trail or Dungarvan Trail. Always check with the ranger before setting off.