Katmai was designated a national monument in 1918 to preserve features associated with one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions ever recorded. However, later expansions and the change in status to Katmai did not focused on geologic activity but rather on the importance wildlife. Today, one of the primary purposes of Katmai National Park and Preserve, based on legislation, is to protect habitats for and populations of fish and wildlife, including, but not limited to, high concentrations of brown bears and their denning areas, and maintain unimpaired the watersheds and water habitat vital to red salmon spawning.
Brooks Falls, perhaps the world’s most celebrated destination to view Alaskan brown bears in their natural habitat. There are as many as fifty bears live along the mile and a half long Brooks River during the salmon season, many of which can be observed from three elevated viewing platforms along the river at Brooks Lodge where during the peak of the season, its not uncommon for visitors to see bears within minutes of arrival and all visitors are instructed by the National Park Service on how to conduct themselves in “Bear Country.”
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Day Tour
Our one day trip from Anchorage offers approx. 6 hours in the park.
(Day trips depart Anchorage at 8:00am, and arrive back in Anchorage at 6:15pm.)
2024 Dates:
June 1 – September 18
limited seats in JULY, please contact us regarding availability.
Anchorage, Alaska
One day trips depart Anchorage at 8:00am, and arrive back in Anchorage at 6:15pm.
Day trip from Anchorage offers approx. 6 hours in the park.
Take a 75 minute flight from Anchorage to King Salmon. A short shuttle ride will transfer you to the KatmaiAir cabin on Naknek River, where you will check in for your next flight – a scenic 25 minute float plane ride to Brooks Lodge!
Upon arrival at Brooks Lodge, you will be given a brief bear orientation by a park ranger to learn how to safely conduct yourself while exploring in bear country. You will have the opportunity to visit the bear viewing platforms along Brooks River and the World Famous Brooks Falls where brown bears feed and the friendly National Park Service rangers will point you in the right direction and answer all of your questions about this incredible park.
This trip is not guided.
