Katmai National Park, located in southern Alaska, is a breathtaking expanse of rugged wilderness, most famous for its brown bears and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. The park was established in 1918 to protect the volcanic devastated region following the 1912 eruption of Novarupta, one of the largest volcanic eruptions of the 20th century. This eruption formed the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, named for the fumaroles - openings in the Earth's crust that emit steam and gases, such as sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide - and steaming vents that permeated the area post-eruption. Today, this valley offers a stark, moon-like landscape that invites geological exploration and awe.
Katmai is home to about 2,200 brown bears, a population density unmatched due to the abundant sockeye salmon in the Brooks River. Visitors often flock to Brooks Falls, where they can witness the iconic sight of bears catching salmon right out of midair. This extraordinary bear watching is considered among the best in the world, providing unparalleled wildlife photography and viewing opportunities. Though the park is remote, visitor facilities at Brooks Camp offer educational displays and safety tips for bear encounters.
Katmai National Park is not just for bear enthusiasts or geologists; it also provides a sanctuary for adventurers looking to kayak, fish, or hike in a pristine, untamed environment. The rugged beauty of its landscapes, from lakes and rivers to mountains and valleys, ensures that every visit is packed with breathtaking views and serene moments in nature.
Katmai National Park & Preserve
Alaska
Alaska
Katmai National Park and Preserve, a remote wilderness on the Alaska Peninsula, has a dense population of brown bears. Bear viewing is the park's main draw, and Brooks Camp, its most popular destination, offers views of bears feeding at Brooks Falls in summer. Sockeye salmon spawn in the park's waters, and sport fishing is another major activity. The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a volcanic landscape formed by the 1912 Novarupta eruption, is another highlight. Backcountry hiking and camping are available across the wilderness, and near Brooks Camp, paddlers can canoe or kayak the Savonoski Loop.
Park Areas
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Brooks Camp
Brooks Camp sits at the mouth of the Brooks River on the shore of Naknek Lake, and people travel from around the world to watch brown bears here, many from the viewing platform at Brooks Falls. Bears occasionally fish for salmon at the outlet of Lake Brooks as well, and anglers come to fish the river. The Brooks River National Historic Landmark covers both banks, lined with more than 900 depressions left by semi-subterranean homes and campsites. Daily bus tours head to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a landscape shaped by an eruption bigger than any other in the 1900s. Everyone checks in at the visitor center, where rangers give the required bear safety talk. The campground is the only developed one in the park, and Brooks Lodge offers overnight rooms and meals.
Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes
Ash fills this valley because of the 1912 Novarupta eruption, which covered about 40 square miles with ash and gave rise to the thousands of steam vents, or fumaroles, that named the place. Rangers lead a full-day bus tour from Brooks Camp along the 23-mile Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes Road, which passes through spruce forest, crosses three streams, and climbs into tundra. The tour stops at the Robert F. Griggs Visitor Center, which overlooks the valley and marks the start of the Ukak Falls Trail. Visitors can also hike down to the valley floor, a 3.4-mile round trip with about 1,000 feet of elevation change. Backcountry camping is allowed along the road beyond a 1.5-mile hike, though there are no cleared sites and spruce trees make choosing a spot tricky.
Naknek Lake
It is the largest lake located entirely within a national park in the United States. Visitors reach it by boat or floatplane. Floatplanes often land on the beach beside Brooks Camp, the area's most popular destination, where people watch bears and sport fish. Boats cross the lake to reach the camp and the park's interior, and kayaks can be rented at Brooks Camp. Fishing is a major draw here too. A moderately strenuous trail climbs 800 feet over 1.5 miles from the camp to Dumpling Overlook, which looks over the lake, Brooks River, and Lake Brooks. Hikers who push on can reach the summit of Dumpling Mountain. The Iliuk Arm, a bay of the lake, was part of the original monument that protected the region.
Popular Hiking Trails
All trails →
Brooks Falls Trail
Easy0.7 mi
Boardwalk Trail
Easy0.4 mi
Dumpling Mountain Trail
Difficult8.5 mi
Cultural Site Trail
Easy0.7 mi
Park Avenue
Easy0.1 mi
Visitor Centers
Brooks Camp Visitor Center
Closed
King Salmon Visitor Center
Closed
Robert F. Griggs Visitor Center
Closed
Campgrounds
Camping guide →
Brooks Camp Campground
Brooks Camp
About the Park
Park Areas
Brooks Camp is a premier destination for observing brown bears as they catch salmon in the Brooks River, especially during the salmon spawning season. The area features accessible viewing platforms that ensure visitor safety while providing optimal vantage points. Brooks Camp is also a site of historical significance, with remnants of ancient native settlements dating back over 5,000 years. Visitors can explore nearby hiking trails and participate in educational programs led by park rangers, making it a unique blend of wildlife viewing and cultural history.
The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes offers a dramatic volcanic landscape shaped by the 1912 Novarupta eruption. Visitors can explore vast ash fields and observe remnants of past geothermal activity, providing a stark contrast to the park's more verdant areas. This geological wonder allows visitors to witness the power of volcanic activity firsthand.
Naknek Lake provides opportunities for observing diverse wildlife, particularly brown bears near Brooks Falls. The lake's expansive waters offer a serene setting for kayaking and fishing, presenting a quieter experience compared to the more crowded Brooks Falls. It is part of a system with one of the largest sockeye salmon runs, attracting wildlife and researchers alike. Accessible by floatplane, Naknek Lake serves as a gateway to remote wilderness exploration.
The Savonoski Loop offers a secluded wilderness experience, accessible by canoe or kayak. This 80-mile waterway circuit allows for intimate wildlife viewing and connects several lakes and rivers, offering varied landscapes and camping opportunities. Ideal for seasoned paddlers, it requires skill and preparation due to unpredictable weather and challenging currents.
Park Guides
All 11 guides →Flying In: Reaching Katmai via Brooks Camp
No roads reach Katmai, so the park is entered only by air or water. Most travelers arrive on small aircraft out of Anchorage, Dillingham, Homer, Kodiak, or King Salmon.
Weather Between the Pacific and Bering Sea
The Katmai region sits between the North Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea, which makes it a frequent battleground for competing weather systems.
Bear Platforms of Brooks Falls and Riffles
Brooks Falls is one of the best places in Katmai National Park and Preserve to watch brown bears fish for salmon.
Bus Tour to Ten Thousand Smokes
The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes was shaped by the 1912 eruption of Novarupta, the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century.
Sockeye Salmon and World-Class Brooks Fishing
Sockeye salmon, also called red salmon, make their run through Katmai's waters and draw anglers and brown bears to the same stretch of river.
