Katmai National Park & Preserve

In July, brown bears often stand on the lip of Brooks Falls to try to catch leaping salmon.
A landscape is alive underneath our feet, filled with creatures that remind us what it is to be wild. Katmai was established in 1918 to protect the volcanically devastated region surrounding Novarupta and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. Today, Katmai National Park and Preserve also protects 9,000 years of human history and important habitat for salmon and thousands of brown bears.
Map showing location of park.
Angler in Katmai on the lower Brooks River
Brooks River Corridor Closure at Katmai National Park
Between September 18 and 29, 2024, there were four known incidents in which a bear received fish from anglers on the Brooks River. To prevent further incidents of bears receiving food, the Brooks River corridor will be closed to all non-subsistence users below Brooks Falls effective immediately, and remain closed until October 31, 2024, or until rescinded by the Superintendent.
Death of a Bear and Fat Bear Week Bracket Postponed at Katmai National Park
This morning bear #469 attacked and killed bear #402 at Brooks River, downriver from Brooks Falls, in Katmai National Park. Because of this incident the Fat Bear Week bracket reveal is postponed until tomorrow at 3 pm AKT (7 pm ET), October 1, 2024
fat bear week 2024, bear 910 in beach-ready form
Weigh-in with your vote for the fattest bear during Fat Bear Week at Katmai National Park
Weigh-in with fat bears and vote for your favorite one as Fat Bear Week returns to Katmai National Park & Preserve October 2 – 8, 2024. Choose the bear that has what it takes to survive the winter and experience the crowning of the champion at fatbearweek.org.
Unplanned road
Unplanned Road Removal and Restoration
On August 1, 2024, Katmai National Park and Preserve will begin removing a 200-foot-long gravel road near Lake Brooks. The road was improperly constructed by the park in 2014 and will be restored to its natural state.
katmai bear pin 2024
2024 Bear Pin Logo Contest Winner
Katmai National Park and Preserve is celebrating a winning design by Cianne Adams, a 13-year-old student from Newhalen, Alaska, that is featured on the Brooks Camp bear pins this summer.
salmon jumping at waterfall
Photo by NPS/David Jacob
Bear standing at the edge of a waterfall while a salmon is leaping towards it.
Photo by NPS/David Jacob
Three bears walk near a sleeping bear
Photo by NPS/Bryanna Plog
lake inside of an ash and glacier covered volcano
Photo by NPS/Roy Wood
meadow in foreground and snow capped volcanoes on the horizon
Photo by NPS/Michael Fitz