When Is the Best Time
Katmai, located in Alaska, is an exceptional place to watch grizzlies close, sometimes even too close. Katmai is the bear country, so it does not come as a surprise that my friend Chris took the same path as a bear with his catch, and he had a close encounter. This is not an exception be prepared that this can always happen. Most importantly, do not run away; give the bear space, and remain calm. The first thing you get after your arrival is an introduction on how to behave in the "Bear Country".
More than 2000 bears call the National Park their home. Brown bears are in the area from mid-spring until October. Usually, the salmon run takes place from the mid-latest end of June until the end of July but can also be in August. The salmon run is not predictable. The sockeye salmon from the sea swim and jump upstream to spawn where they were born before dying. This is a spectacular event annually.
The best time to spot the highest concentration of brown bears catching red salmon at Brooks River and Falls are July and September, followed by June and August.
You may spot 20 to 50 bears during the salmon run session along the falls. Usually, less food is available in June and August at Brooks River. Nevertheless, you may always spot bears, just fewer. The bears wander around where most food is provided by nature. The largest and most dominant bears have the "right" to be around Brooks Falls.
In 2021 the salmon returned later for spawning than usual, which caused stress for the bears who depend on high-energy food. Many bears did not catch as many fish as they usually do at this time of the year. Bears were more aggressive, with more fights where they typically tolerated each other. Also, a higher number of visitors stressed the bears. Please, if you visit Katmai, you need extra caution as bears may be less tolerant. There were already human-bear contacts which are also unusual and have not been documented in the last years. These bears live in the wild and behave accordingly. Remain 50 yards away from bears all the time. Give way to the bears when they want to access the river and falls. The park rangers will give you advice.
Fat Bear Week Contest 2022
This year 2022, was a better year regarding the salmon run; it was earlier than usual, from late June until mid-September. However, the salmon appear in waves before they run consistently up the river.
Who is the fattest brown bear? The massive winner from Brooks Falls has been determined. The champion is 747 with the nickname Jumbo Jet, and it is the second title in three years. You wouldn't believe how heavy he is, estimated at 1400 pounds. It was hard work fishing salmon daily for almost three months. Due to his size, he is at the top of the hierarchy at Brooks Falls. The second one is a female, which was given the name 901.
The Annual Katmai Brooks Falls Lodge Lottery Opens on 12/1/2022 for the Year 2024
Tourist Crowds
In July, expect crowded conditions at the viewing platforms. There is a limit of 40 people watching the bears for a maximum of one hour controlled by rangers, but if it is utterly busy, the time is limited to half an hour. September is much better with fewer tourists. Time of day suggestion: Stay overnight at the lodge or the campground. Then you can get to the platforms between 5 and 10 pm when the day visitors have already left, taking the plane back to Anchorage or another lodge. At that time of the day, the viewing platform is less crowded. Livecam: Brooks Falls Bears Livecam
Tip: Especially in July, you may wait two hours to access the platform for just half an hour of watching time. I recommend checking out the Riffles platform in the meantime.
Opening Hours Visitor Platforms
The Falls and Riffles Platform are open from 7 am until 10 pm. When day visitors have left Brooks Falls, it is quieter here.
Are There Bugs in Katmai? Katmai is all about bears, salmon, and fishing, but it's Alaska, a region which experiences lots of rain and, therefore, bugs, not only mosquitoes. That's the price you have to pay for this unique annual salmon run. Come prepared and carry a biodegradable, Deet-free insect repellent in your bag. Believe me, this is almost as essential as a good camera and a mosquito net. Photographer Tips for KatmaiIf you wish to take excellent shots, you may think about which zoom camera lens is the best. At least a 200-400 mm zoom lens is recommended, but better a 600 mm. There are not always plenty of bears at Brooks Falls instead further away. Tripods are not allowed in July, making it tricky with a 600 mm lens.
The Best Daytime at KatmaiThe best daytime at the platform is mid to late afternoon, July after 4 pm on the rare occasion the sun is out, giving a special note. Weather
In late spring, summer and early fall, it's often rainy and overcast. Especially in the summer months, the weather is unpredictable. Summer temperatures range from 30˚ to 80˚ Fahrenheit (-1˚ to 27˚ Celsius), so everything is possible. Only 20% of the days are clear and sunny in summer: the downside bugs are even worse. Winters are drier and very cold. Monthly Bear Activity Overview
Visitor CenterThere is a Visitor Centre and Ranger at Brooks Camp open from June to mid-September. Another Visitor Center can be found at King Salmon Airport. You get a brief bear safety talk after arrival in Brooks. Katmai National Park from Homer
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How to Get to Brooks Falls
It is a little tricky to get here. Brooks Falls is situated in the remote wilderness. There are two options to get to Brooks Falls, but both are weather-depending, and the weather is unpredictable. From King Salmon, you have to change into a floatplane or a water taxi to get to Brooks Falls, which takes 20 minutes to one hour, depending on what you choose.
- The nearest airport is King Salmon (AKN); commercial flights are offered. If fog occurs, flights are delayed or cancelled. However, the view from the float plane is spectacular, and the right is much faster, around 20 minutes. The float plane is more expensive, but fewer cancellations occur. The float planes land on Lake Naknek but can land on Lake Brooks instead if the waves are too high and you are picked up by a bus.
- The second option is the water taxi, which may get cancelled if it is too windy because they only get to Brooks Falls on the river to Lake Naknek. The water taxi to Brooks Falls takes much longer, roughly one hour.
Where to Stay at Brooks Falls
There are two places to stay in Brooks Falls.
- The Brooks Falls Lodge and the campground. The lodge is a little pricey. The campground is around 9$ per night but already be fully booked end of January.
- Another hassle-free opportunity is Alaska's Gold Creek Lodge next to the airport. They pick you up and offer day trips to Brooks Falls. However, you miss the best time for perfect shots in the evening.
Due to the limited availability, some stay at King Salmon and enjoy the other wildlife here. Keep in mind the annoying bugs and bring insect repellent!
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Best Months to Visit
Location and Tips
Katmai has one of the highest densities of bears in the world, estimated at 2.200. The food search determines their life. Due to the long hibernation, they need to gain a lot of weight to survive. So the question is where to see these majestic creatures. They are spread over the entire Katmai National Park. Once protected for the volcanic devasted area in 1918, Katmai is nowadays most famous for brown bears and fishing. The bears are not only at Brooks Falls; they can be found along the entire Brooks River.
There are two more viewing platforms, one before and one after the falls. These outlooks are less crowded. It is relatively safe around Brooks Falls; however, it is their wild habitat. There is no guarantee! Safety first, always!
If you like to watch bears hunting for sockeye salmon at a waterfall, this is the best place of all. Getting to McNeill Falls is more complicated, and a permit is necessary.
Safety Advice for the Viewing Platforms - Wheelchair Accessibility
The viewing platforms are wheelchair accessible, especially the north and south at the river mouth close to the lodge. Shortly before the falls, the Brooks Falls and Riffles are not paved and, therefore, a bit muddy in poor weather conditions. There is one platform at the falls, one shortly before the falls and three at the mouth of Brooks River. The platforms are closed and not accessible for safety reasons from 10 pm to 7 am. It is more than one mile - two km to walk to Brooks Falls platforms. Walking Map from Brooks Falls Lodge to Riffles and Falls Platform Locus Pro Map
- Stay on the trail to the viewing platform
- Remain quiet
- No use of a flashlight
- Don't leave any trash
- Please, don't smoke.
- Only pure water is allowed to drink
Is Bear Spray in Katmai Necessary?
This is often discussed, and most people say no. However, if you need bear spray to feel safer, you usually get it for free when other people left it in one of the "free boxes"; one is at the campground in the gear cache, and the other in the storage cache next to the Visitor Centre. If there isn't any available, you can purchase bear spray in the small store at Brooks Lodge. I have to confess when we travelled through "bear land" we carried bear spray just in case.
The Salmon Migration
It is the salmon life circle. The salmon born in the upper river in freshwater migrate to the ocean when reaching maturity after one to two years. It is a long process adapted to freshwater first and then saltwater. They live and feed for years in the ocean before turning back for reproducing and spawning. When the urge to migrate back appears, they stop feeding, relying on their energy and fat. It is a demanding migration to get back to the spawning grounds. In the beginning, they appear in waves at the peak constantly. Depending on the salmon species, they are between one and six years old. The released salmon eggs hatch in mid-winter.
The History of Katmai National Park
One of the most significant volcanic eruptions happened in 1912 on the Alaskan Peninsula, and Mount Katmai collapsed, forming a 2000 feet deep caldera. There was 30 times more magma released than at the St. Helens eruption in 1980; caused by the eruption, the amazing "Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes" got created. In 1918 it became a National Monument status to protect the entire area. It is still an active volcanic park remembering the power of mother nature. Katmai became a National Park status in 1980. There is a park ranger-led bus ride and hike to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes offered. The tour starts at Brooks Lodge.
These breathtaking Alaska Bear pictures are provided by my friend and photographer Chris. If you wish to use any, contact me, but we will take action against picture theft!
