Katmai National Park and Preserve

National park · Lake and Peninsula Borough

Katmai National Park and Preserve

National park · Lake and Peninsula Borough

4

Alaska

Photos

Katmai National Park and Preserve by null
Katmai National Park and Preserve by null
Katmai National Park and Preserve by null
Katmai National Park and Preserve by null
Katmai National Park and Preserve by null
Katmai National Park and Preserve by null
Katmai National Park and Preserve by null
Katmai National Park and Preserve by null
Katmai National Park and Preserve by null
Katmai National Park and Preserve by null
Katmai National Park and Preserve by null
Katmai National Park and Preserve by null
Katmai National Park and Preserve by null
Katmai National Park and Preserve by null
Katmai National Park and Preserve by null
Katmai National Park and Preserve by null
Katmai National Park and Preserve by null
Katmai National Park and Preserve by null
Katmai National Park and Preserve by null
Katmai National Park and Preserve by null

Highlights

Abundant brown bears, volcanic landscapes, and pristine wilderness  

Featured in Conde Nast Traveler
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Alaska Get directions

nps.gov
@katmainpp

Information

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Alaska Get directions

+1 907 246 3305
nps.gov
@katmainpp
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@katmainps

Features

wheelchair accessible parking lot

Last updated

Oct 12, 2025

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@travelleisure

Alaska’s Fat Bear Week Is Back and the Competition Is Bigger Than Ever—Here’s How to Vote for Your Favorites

"I followed the battle of the bears at Alaska's Katmai National Park, where the fattest and floofiest brown bears compete in the popular Fat Bear Week, an annual head-to-head competition aimed at crowning a champion brown bear, and the 2025 competition is heavier than ever." - Michael Cappetta Michael Cappetta Michael Cappetta is a travel writer with over 10 years of experience in journalism and television news. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

https://www.travelandleisure.com/fat-bear-week-alaska-2025-11815426
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@travelleisure

Our Readers' Favorite National Parks in the U.S. of 2025

"One of the least-visited parks, this remote Alaskan destination is accessible only by small plane (no road access) and is cherished by readers for its wild, untouched natural beauty." - Hannah Walhout Hannah Walhout Hannah Walhout is a senior editor at Travel + Leisure, where she edits the Discoveries section of the print magazine and develops longer stories focusing on food, wine, and spirits. She has previously worked at Food & Wine and in the writing program at NYU Abu Dhabi. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

https://www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best-awards-2025-national-parks-united-states-11736660
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@cntraveler

On Location: This New Docuseries Explores Humankind's Deep Connections to Yellowstone, Zion, and More

"Katmai is famous for its large population of brown bears and pristine wilderness. Indigenous beliefs hold bears as the first medicine men of the earth, emphasizing a spiritual connection and respect for these creatures."

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/on-location-national-parks-usa
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@travelleisure

This Is the Most Underrated National Park in the U.S.

"Katmai National Park in Alaska is famous for its brown bear population and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a volcanic area." - Travel + Leisure Editors

https://www.travelandleisure.com/north-cascades-national-park-most-underrated-in-america-8679586
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Isaac Hochrein

Google
One of the best parks in the system. Bountiful bear viewing occurs between late June/mid September, and is the main draw here, but there is also the valley of 10,000 smokes which makes this worth a multi day visit. Worth the logistical difficulties to spend more time here!

Ramin Sarshad

Google
One of the most incredible natural wonders i have ever seen. My god this place is a bear haven. It fits in the top 5 national parks of the US.

Mountaineer Photo Excursions

Google
Trip of a lifetime both times! We have taken groups here twice, once the second week and another the third week of September. The second week of September, heading into Fat Bear week, and they were huge. There were bears everywhere fishing for end of the season salmon, mothers and cubs, big males, dark brown, light brown and every color bear in between. Thankfully we seen Otis on both trips, the last one he wouldn’t be seen again, and Chunk was dominating Brooks Falls. The 3rd week of September, the bears were still plentiful but not as many as the second week, however the northern lights shined bright for 3 nights. Incredible place and seeing the bears this close is an experience you will never forget!

Mark Bradley

Google
My wife and I flew from Homer over to Katmai last Wednesday and enjoyed the visit. The bears were definitely out in force. We didn't get to Brooks Falls due to the trail being closed by park staff to protect a sow with a couple of cubs. Fully understandable...what we witnessed was amazing. When we first arrived we had to attend mandatory "Bear School" which was presented by one of the park rangers. The school basically explained the do's and dont's while visiting. Don't carry any food. They allowed water only. They also went over safe distances and what to do if a bear appeared near by while on the trail. This did happen as some of the posted pictures show.

Laura H

Google
Go in season and you are guaranteed to see a ton of bears. You will walk among them on the trails (they mostly stay in the woods.) Amazing stuff.

Jan-Frederik Kremer

Google
Once in a lifetime experience… just stunningly amazing 🤩 great opportunity to witness bears 🐻 in their natural habitat

Robin Ballard

Google
Top of my bucket list checked off. The most incredible experience I've ever witnessed!

FFKDTP1

Google
Not a whole lot of activity at Brooks Falls when I was there so had to go explore and look for bears myself and it didn’t disappoint. Hang out near the bridge and you’ll be very happy. I had a close encounter with a grizzly down by the river (20 feet away) and it was epic! I wouldn’t necessarily recommend that lol but I’ll have a video and story to share for life. There are a few hiking trails there as well, I hiked Dumpling Mountain and the views up top were stunning. I honestly liked my trip to Lake Clark better, but Katmai was awesome as well.