Katmai National Park

Katmai National Park in Alaska was established to protect the area around Mount Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. It’s an active volcanic area, but it’s also home to 9,000 years of human history, as well as being a habitat for salmon and thousands of brown bears. The primary ways of getting to the park are by plane or by boat. Although most of the park is wild and undeveloped, Brooks Camp offers lodging and hot meals. Many companies provide transportation and guided tours around the park.

Because Katmai is between the North Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea, storm systems abound and you can encounter all sorts of weather. Spring, summer, and fall are generally wet and cool, with highs up to the 80’s and lows in the 20’s. Winter is dry and much colder, with temps that range from 50˚F to -35˚F. You can expect to find snow at higher elevations until late May or early June. The coastal areas of the park tend to be wetter and colder than the interior, and strong winds are common year-round. Make sure to bring high-quality waterproof clothing and plenty of layers.

You can travel to the park via plane or boat from several other Alaskan towns - Anchorage, Dillingham, Homer, King Salmon, and Kodiak are the most common. These towns are also home to restaurants, shopping, museums, and other points of interest, and you may want to spend a few days exploring them before or after your trip to the park.

If you’re looking for things to do inside Katmai National Park, there are scheduled events throughout the summer. You can find them here. You can also do many activities on your own or with a tour, such as boating, fishing, bear-watching, trapping, and more.