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.
Katmai caribou
Meeting Notice for Subsistence Caribou Hunt for Igiugig and Kokhanok Residents
A public meeting will be held regarding a proposed 90-day limited subsistence caribou hunt for residents of Igiugig and Kokhanok, Alaska.
Bear 307 with fish
Brooks River Corridor Reopening at Katmai National Park
The lower Brooks River corridor from Brooks Falls downstream to the elevated bridge and boardwalk will reopen at sunrise on Monday, October 7, 2024. During the closure park staff have worked to address habituated bear behavior exhibited by bear #307 and will continue these efforts thru sunset on Sunday, October 6, 2024. One section of the Brooks River downstream from the elevated bridge and boardwalk along with adjacent upland areas on the north side of the river between Brooks River and Brooks Lodge will remain closed due to the presence of a concentrated food source (bear carcass) in the area.
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