Katmai National Park and Preserve

Visit southern Alaska and see brown bears in their natural habitat.

The Katmai National Park and Preserve is situated on a peninsula in southern Alaska and is open year-round. This National Park is an essential habitat for salmon and thousands of brown bears. Its wild landscapes include tundra, forests, lakes, and mountains. The bears are drawn to the abundant salmon in Brooks Falls. Four lookout platforms Brooks Camp provide excellent views of the local brown bear population. Many brown bears congregate in that area in July and September, and June through September are the ideal months to explore the park during the salmon run.

Another point of interest is the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, where lava flows transformed the landscape after a massive volcanic eruption. Katmai was established in 1918 and actively protects the volcanically devastated region surrounding Novarupta and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. With millions of acres to discover, backcountry backpacking is a popular pastime for outdoor enthusiasts that visit.