Katmai National Park Travel Guide

Trek Zone

National park

Facts and practical information

Located in the remote wilderness of the Alaska region, Katmai National Park is a true haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Covering an impressive 4.1 million acres, this national park offers a diverse range of landscapes, from snow-capped mountains to lush meadows, and is home to an abundance of wildlife.

One of the main highlights of Katmai National Park is its population of brown bears. These magnificent creatures can be seen in their natural habitat, particularly at Brooks Falls, where they gather to feast on the salmon that swim upstream. Witnessing these powerful bears catching fish with their impressive agility is an awe-inspiring experience that should not be missed.

For those seeking adventure, Katmai National Park offers some of the best hiking opportunities in the United States. With over 700 miles of trails, visitors can explore the park's rugged terrain and discover hidden gems along the way. Whether it's a leisurely stroll through wildflower-filled meadows or a challenging ascent up a mountain peak, there is a trail for every level of hiker.

Another popular activity in Katmai National Park is fishing. The park is home to numerous lakes and rivers teeming with a variety of fish, including salmon, trout, and grayling. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a beginner, casting your line in these pristine waters is sure to be a memorable experience.

In addition to its natural wonders, the park also holds significant archaeological and cultural sites. The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a result of the 1912 volcanic eruption, showcases a unique landscape of ash and volcanic debris. Visitors can explore this otherworldly landscape and learn about the geological forces that shaped it.

For those who prefer a more leisurely experience, the park offers boat tours and wildlife viewing cruises, providing an opportunity to see the diverse marine life that calls this area home. From sea otters and seals to whales and seabirds, there is no shortage of wildlife to admire.

Alternative names: Area: 6395.38 mi²Visitors per year: 37.8 thous.Elevation: 131 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 58°33'8"N, 155°1'26"W

Location

AlaskaUnited States

Contact

Website

Social media

Add

Katmai National Park Top Attractions

Katmai National Park Attractions - What to See and Explore

Katmai National Park offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Brooks Falls, Brooks Camp, Brooks River Historic Ranger Station, Naknek Lake. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Natural attraction • Park • Waterfall
Brooks Falls
Brooks Falls is a waterfall located within Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska. Located on the Brooks River a mile and a half from Brooks Lake and an equal distance from Naknek Lake, the falls are famous for watching salmon leap over the 6 foot falls to get to their Brooks Lake spawning grounds.
58°33'17"N • 155°46'37"W
Brooks Camp
Brooks Camp is a visitor attraction and archeological site in Katmai National Park and Preserve, noted for its opportunities for visitors to observe Alaskan brown bears catching fish in the falls of the Brooks River during salmon spawning season.
58°33'20"N • 155°46'41"W
Brooks River Historic Ranger Station
The Brooks River Historic Ranger Station is a log structure located at Brooks Camp in Katmai National Park and Preserve, located on the Alaska Peninsula of southwestern Alaska.

Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Naknek Lake
Naknek Lake is a lake in southern Alaska, near the base of the Alaska Peninsula. Located in Katmai National Park and Preserve, the lake is 40 miles long and three to eight miles wide, the largest lake in the park.
58°33'24"N • 155°46'44"W
Brooks Camp Boat House
The Brooks Camp Boat House is a historic boathouse at Brooks Camp, a major visitor site in Katmai National Park and Preserve, located on the Alaska Peninsula of southwestern Alaska.
Archaeological site
Brooks River Archeological District
The Brooks River Archaeological District encompasses a large complex of archaeological sites along the banks of the Brooks River in Katmai National Park and Preserve in the U.S. state of Alaska.
Archaeological site
Amalik Bay Archeological District
The Amalik Bay Archeological District is a geographic area with a significant number of archaeological sites in Alaska. It is located on the Pacific coast of Katmai National Park and Preserve, in the mainland portion of Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska.
Interesting neighbourhood
Kukak Bay Cannery
The Kukak Bay Cannery was a commercial razor clam canning operation on the southern coast of the Alaska Peninsula. The cannery operated intermittently from 1922 to 1951, with its most active years before 1936, when most of its complex was destroyed by fire.
Natural attraction • Lake
Kukaklek Lake
Kukaklek is a lake in southern Alaska, near the base of the Alaska Peninsula. Located in Katmai National Park and Preserve, the lake is 46,080 acres in area and is the source for the Alagnak River, a designated Wild River.

Day trips

Katmai National Park – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Katmai National Park, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Novarupta (Katmai National Park and Preserve), Alagogshak, Mount Katmai (Katmai National Park and Preserve).

20 milesS
Nature, Natural attraction, Volcano
Novarupta, Katmai National Park and Preserve
Novarupta is a volcano that was formed in 1912, located on the Alaska Peninsula on a slope of Trident Volcano in Katmai National Park and Preserve, about 290 miles southwest of Anchorage.
30 milesSW
Volcano
Alagogshak
Alagogshak is a stratovolcano, located on the Alaska Peninsula, United States, in Katmai National Park and Preserve. It is the oldest of the volcanoes in the vicinity of the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes.
20 milesS
Nature, Natural attraction, Volcano
Mount Katmai, Katmai National Park and Preserve
Mount Katmai is a large stratovolcano on the Alaska Peninsula in southern Alaska, located within Katmai National Park and Preserve.
17 milesSW
Natural attraction, Volcano, Valley
Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, Katmai National Park and Preserve
The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes is a valley within Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska which is filled with ash flow from the eruption of Novarupta on June 6–8, 1912. Following the eruption, thousands of fumaroles vented steam from the ash. Robert F.
14 milesS
Nature, Natural attraction, Volcano
Mount Griggs, Katmai National Park and Preserve
Mount Griggs, formerly known as Knife Peak Volcano, is a stratovolcano, which lies 10 km behind the volcanic arc defined by other Katmai group volcanoes.