Katmai National Park has one of the highest densities of brown bears in the world.
Reduce the risk of surprising a bear, having a bear surprise you, or both, by staying alert, hiking in groups, storing food properly, and giving wildlife plenty of space.
A safe visit starts before the trailhead and the wildlife viewing platforms.
See more about bear safety in Katmai at the link in our bio!
*Check with your transportation provider to Katmai before transporting bear spray.
#idkt #KatmaiNationalPark #Alaska #bears #bearsafety #brownbears National Park Service
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Are you visiting Katmai this summer and want to be in the Brooks River for angling or photography activities?
Permits are needed for any activities occurring in the Brooks River. Permits are available starting tomorrow, May 1, on recreation.gov (link in bio).
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🌎Happy Earth Day from Katmai National Park! 🌎
Celebrating all creatures that call this part of the planet home
NPS Photos: M. Fitz, K. Troutman. Photo Courtesy of D. Harris
Winter doesn't attract many visitors to Katmai, but our maintenance team was able to see the beauty of winter in Brooks Camp and captured these wonderful shots.
While the bears are still in their dens, there are signs of animal life along the river and lakes. Can you see what animal is leaving their tracks?
NPS Photo/R. Ladner
🚨Last chance for Brooks Camp Campground reservations for the 2026 season🚨
Reservations for September and October 2026 are available for booking TOMORROW March 7, 2026. Reservations go quick! May the odds be in your favor ⛺
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Alt Text: a tent and food/gear cache in a forested campground with a gravel path
Sugpiaq Qayak Model Workshop
The park is hosting a free traditional Sugpiaq qayak model building workshop for the communities of King Salmon and Naknek. The workshop takes place from 5 to 8 pm February 23 to 27, 2026, and from 1 to 4 pm February 28 to March 1, 2026. The workshop location is at 325 Ptarmigan pTrail Road. 14 seats are available for those 14 years old and older. To register contact the park at 907-469-2246.
Instructor Andrew Abyo, a Sugpiaq artist, aims to preserve cultural traditions by teaching anyone who wants to learn. Abyo will teach participants how to construct a 1/6 scale qayak model that was designed more than 5000 years ago by the Sugpiaq People. Come join us for seven days of learning and building. The workshop is sponsored by Katmai Conservancy and Katmai National Park.
🚨Brooks Camp Campground Reservations Round 2 🚨
Perhaps the most coveted time to be in Brooks Camp! Reservations for July and August 2026 are available for booking TOMORROW February 7, 2026. Reservations go quick! May the odds be in your favor ⛺
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Alt Text: A tent, food shelter, and gear cache are seen in a campground with a gravel path
Looking to volunteer in Katmai? Applications for summer 2026 volunteer positions are available starting tomorrow Friday, February 6, 2026 and will close Friday, February 13, 2026.
Positions in Brooks Camp and King Salmon are available and can be found at the link in our bio.
NPS Photo/ R. Nourot
Science in the Park: Plants!
Parks in the Alaska Region are participating in a project to collect seeds from the native plant species in Alaska. The collected seeds can be used to revegetate areas after disturbances like development of roads.
Biologists in the Park collect seeds from different areas around the park and measure for things like viability of the seeds by color matching. Other data is collected about species in the area and some measurements and other data are collected. Once seeds are collected, they are stored and archived in Anchorage.
NPS Photos/ A. Monaco
Alt Text:
Photo 1: A hand holding many small dark colored seeds
Photo 2: a color chart is used to match the seeds and test for viability
Photo 3: various stemmed plants are seen with hands collecting seeds from pods
The first round of campground reservations at Brooks Camp open tomorrow at 8am Alaska Time!
On January 7, 2026 campground reservations for May and June are available for booking. Reservations go quick! May the odds be in your favor ⛺
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At Text: a sign that reads "National Park Service US Department of the Interior Brooks Camp Katmai National Park and Preserve" on a gravel beach
"When your whole being yearns for one simple thing, it may not be necessary to add the words." - David James Duncan, My Story as Told by Water
What do you yearn for yourself and Katmai National Park in 2026?
NPS image by Laurie Householder
This picture may have been taken during the summer, but it still might be seasonally appropriate? You tell us!
NPS Photo/ T. Urbanski
Alt Text: A caribou prances across the green tundra with a river and mountains in the background
