Unlike most national parks in the United States, Katmai is almost exclusively accessed by plane or boat.
You can not drive to Katmai, Brooks Camp, or King Salmon from Anchorage, Alaska
.
Is there a ferry to Katmai National Park?
The water taxi returns from Brooks Camp every even hour starting at 8 AM, with the last pick up at 8 PM (June and July), as long as there are booked seats. Katmai Water Taxi Services, is a transportation service only. Once you disembark the boat you are self guided at Brooks Camp and surrounding areas.
When should I go to Brooks Falls?
The best time to visit Brooks camp for bear viewing is in
July and September
. This is when the bears are most active feeding on the migrating salmon, Although you could encounter bears at any time during your visit!
How much does it cost to go to Brooks Falls Alaska?
It cost
$650 for a day trip
. After a lot of research and my recent experience, I’ve found the best way to visit Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, especially for Alaskans. In this post, I’m going to share how to visit Brooks Falls and how to save money while doing it.
Are there bears at Brooks Falls in August?
Each summer, people come from all over the world to view brown bears in a pristine environment. Those who visit the Brooks River in August, however,
may not see many or any bears
. Bear use of Brooks Falls is greatest during the peak of the sockeye salmon migration in July.
How many days do you need in Katmai National Park?
How Much Time Do You Need at Katmai National Park? Ideally, plan on spending
three days
at Katmai National Park. This gives you plenty of bear viewing time and also gives you enough time to journey out to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, or go fishing, hiking, or kayaking. Most people visit Katmai on a day trip.
When can I see bears at Brooks Falls?
Bears can be seen fishing at Brooks Falls and in the lower Brooks River
throughout the month of July
. Mid-July is typically when the largest number of bears can be seen along the river. In late July, bears begin to disperse to feed in other areas.
How do I get to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes?
The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes is located in Katmai National Park, 23 miles away from Brooks Lodge. The easiest way to get here is to
take the Katmailand bus from Brooks Lodge to the Valley
.
How big are the bears at Brooks Falls?
Standing
between seven and ten feet in length, and weighing between 600 and 900 pounds
, the bears at Brooks Falls are some of the largest in the world.
Where can I see bears at Brooks Falls?
Watch the Bears of Brooks Camp Online!
Now you can follow the lives of the brown bears of Brooks River anywhere with an internet connection.
Katmai National Park and explore.org
have partnered to bring the bears to you. Watch the bears live!
Is Katmai National Park worth visiting?
Katmai offers stunning nature in its Reserve, a rich history of different cultures, a plethora of northern wildlife, and plenty of outdoors fun for the whole family
. The park’s human history goes back more than 9,000 years. It has been home several different groups of people, many of Alutiiq descent.
How do I get from Homer to Brooks Falls?
Your travels to Brooks Lodge in Katmai National Park begin when you depart from Homer
by floatplane
. The flight takes about an hour and a half to get across Cook Inlet. Upon arrival, you will be given a brief bear orientation by a park ranger and learn how to conduct yourself while exploring in bear country.
How much does it cost to get to Katmai?
Once you’ve made it to Brooks Camp, a bus carries visitors to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, 23 miles by gravel road from the camp. The park concessionaire, Katmailand, charges
$88 per person round-trip for the all-day guided excursion, plus $8 more for lunch
.
How do you get around Katmai National Park?
- By Air. Most destinations in Katmai National Park & Preserve are directly accessed via air taxi flights from Anchorage, Dillingham, Homer, King Salmon, Kodiak, and other nearby Alaska towns and villages. …
- By Boat. Boats can access the Pacific coast of Katmai.
Can you drive through Kenai Fjords National Park?
It’s possible to drive up to where Exit Glacier is; that’s the only part of the park accessible by car
. The only way to explore the rest of Kenai Fjords is by boat and the Aialik Glacier is a popular destination. There are also opportunities for experienced kayakers to explore the fjords.
When can you see bears at Katmai?
The best time to visit Katmai National Park for bear viewing is from
late June until September
. The bear viewing opportunities are excellent during this period. The salmon run dates in Brooks Falls are in late June, throughout July, and in September.
How do you get to King Salmon Alaska?
Well, you really only have one option and it is to fly! King Salmon is about 280 miles southwest of Anchorage by air. There are no roads to King Salmon from Anchorage and no ferries so flying is the only option! So you would
book your flight from your home city to Anchorage then on to King Salmon
.
How cold is the water at Brooks Falls Alaska?
Data courtesy of the National Park Service Southwest Alaska Network. During the height of summer, Brooks River’s temperatures can rise well into the
60 ̊s F (15-20 ̊ C)
. Temperatures also drop rapidly, sometimes as much as ten to fifteen degrees in a few days.
What time of year do bears catch salmon in Alaska?
The best time to view bears catching Salmon is around
August to mid-September
. In June and July, you can spot the bears eating grass or even clams. There is a chance to spot wolves and foxes as well.
How long do the salmon run at Brooks Falls?
More than 2000 bears call the National Park their home. Brown bears are in the area from mid-spring until October. Usually, the salmon run takes place
from the mid latest end of June until the end of July but can be August as well
.
Can you climb Mount Katmai?
Knife Creek Glaciers and the Mount Katmai Caldera
The lower slopes of the Knife Creek Glaciers are covered with as much as 6 feet (2 meters) of ash and pumice.
Hikers can walk right up to the foot of and even on the glaciers, with caution
. Three thousand feet above the glaciers lays the caldera of Mount Katmai.
What are some fun facts about Katmai National Park?
- Katmai National Park covers a total area of 4,725,188 acres.
- The number of people visiting Katmai in 2019 was 84,167 (All Years)
- Katmai was made a national park on December 2, 1980.
- The lowest elevation found in Katmai is 0 feet at the Pacific Ocean.
Is Katmai National Park on Kodiak Island?
Most of the national park is a designated wilderness area. The park is named after Mount Katmai, its centerpiece stratovolcano. The park is located on the Alaska Peninsula,
across from Kodiak Island
, with headquarters in nearby King Salmon, about 290 miles (470 km) southwest of Anchorage.
Where can I see grizzly bears in Alaska?
Some of the most incredible bear viewing in Alaska is near Anchorage. Iconic spots like
Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, Lake Clark National Park, Redoubt Bay, and McNeil River are all a short float plane flight from the city
, and many air services can get you there for a day of unrivaled access.
