Deep in the wild landscapes of southwestern Alaska, Katmai National Park and Preserve protects a remarkable wilderness of volcanic mountains, pristine rivers, expansive lakes, and rugged coastline. Best known for its extraordinary population of coastal brown bears, the park offers one of the most incredible wildlife viewing experiences in the world. Each summer, massive bears gather along the Brooks River, where powerful salmon runs provide the nourishment they need to survive Alaska's long winters. Beyond the famous waterfalls, Katmai's landscape stretches into remote valleys, steaming volcanic fields, and vast tundra where nature continues to thrive largely undisturbed. It is a place where the rhythms of wildlife and wilderness remain deeply connected.
Katmai was first protected as a national monument in 1918 following the massive 1912 eruption of Novarupta, one of the largest volcanic eruptions of the twentieth century. The eruption transformed the surrounding landscape, creating the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, where ash and volcanic debris buried entire valleys beneath thick layers of sediment. In 1980, Katmai became a national park and preserve, expanding protection to its remarkable ecosystems and abundant wildlife. Today, the park preserves both the geological evidence of Earth's powerful volcanic forces and the natural habitats that support some of Alaska's most iconic species.
Wildlife is at the heart of the Katmai experience. More than 2,000 brown bears are estimated to inhabit the park and preserve, making it one of the world's premier destinations for observing these magnificent animals in their natural environment. At Brooks Falls, visitors can watch bears skillfully catch leaping salmon as they prepare for winter, while quieter stretches of river reveal mothers guiding cubs through the wilderness. Beyond the bears, Katmai's waters support sea otters, harbor seals, and migrating whales, while bald eagles soar above rivers and coastal forests. Visitors can explore the park through guided bear viewing excursions, backcountry adventures, and scenic flights over volcanic valleys and remote lakes. Every experience offers a rare glimpse into an ecosystem where wildlife continues to shape the landscape.
Conservation at Katmai National Park and Preserve focuses on protecting brown bear habitats, preserving healthy salmon populations, and maintaining the delicate balance between wildlife and human visitation. The National Park Service works alongside scientists, fisheries researchers, and conservation organizations to monitor bear populations, study salmon ecosystems, and understand the impacts of climate change on Alaska's wilderness. Responsible wildlife viewing is especially important, as visitors are encouraged to maintain safe distances, follow established bear viewing guidelines, and minimize their impact on natural habitats. Katmai National Park and Preserve stands as a powerful reminder of the connection between land, water, and wildlife, demonstrating why protecting wild places is essential to ensuring that extraordinary species like the brown bear continue to thrive for generations to come.
Our Experience
We started our journey to Katmai by flying from Anchorage to King Salmon to Katmai in small planes, flying over beautiful turquoise waters. Once you arrive on Katmai you are given an immediate Bear Safety talk and get a cute bear pin. Once we were done, we speed walked through a bear dense forest to Brooks Falls. The sight was beyond beautiful. We saw the wide but short waterfall area filled with brown bears. We got in line to get onto the closest viewing platform while we waited on the standby platform - which still had a great view but wasn't nearly as close as the main one. Once we got onto the main viewing platform we stayed for as long as we could. We were just in awe of the bears fishing for salmon and trying to capture them on our cameras to the best to our ability. After our time was up on the platform, we made our way to the other main area of the park, the lodge. On our way, we walked up on a couple who had a shocked look on their face and warned us to watch out. We turned around and little did we know, we were being followed by a momma bear and her cub, not even 15 feet behind us! They just wanted to walk on by on the trail, so we gave them space and waved as they passed us. When we finally made it to the lodge, we saw more bears than we ever thought we would. They were filling the waters surrounding the lodge to fish and eat...both in the inlet and the "beach." It was so beautiful, we both cried. At first, we thought the water was darker in this area but quickly realized, it was packed so densely with salmon that you couldn't even tell that the water was turquoise. We also got to have lunch at the lodge which was very delicious and special as we both sat there and discussed how magical this place was. We also met another young woman who was trying to get a job at the lodge for the summer (after losing another summer job in Alaska). They hired her on the spot and we were very happy for her.