Katmai National Park
3,674,530
Acres
36,000/year
Annual Visitors
Free
Entry Fee
June through September
Best Time to Visit
National Park Service
National Park
Katmai was set aside as a national monument in 1918 and redesignated a national park in 1980. Today it is best known for Brooks Falls, where brown bears congregate each summer to catch sockeye salmon mid-leap, the scene behind the annual Fat Bear Week competition.
What Katmai Is Known For
Brown bears catching salmon
Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes
Brooks Falls
Remote Alaska wilderness
Top Activities
Bear viewing at Brooks Falls
Flightseeing over the volcanic landscape
Hiking Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes
Sport fishing for salmon
Kayaking in Shelikof Strait
Our Katmai Articles

Educational Resources

National Parks
All 63 US National Parks Ranked (2026 Update)

Best of National Parks
Complete National Parks List: Every Park in the US
Educational Resources
10 Best National Parks for Amazing Wildlife Viewing

Educational Resources
The Ultimate Fat Bear Week Guide

Best of National Parks
10 Most Visited US National Parks

National Parks
6 Epic Maine National Parks

Educational Resources
Jimmy Carter Was The Greatest Conservation President

Educational Resources
National Parks Educational Resources

Educational Resources
18 Yellowstone National Park Facts

Educational Resources
National Park Facts for Every Park in America

Educational Resources
2026 Largest US National Parks by Size
Plan Your Visit
Nearby National Parks
Is Katmai Under Threat?
Check our live Threatened Public Lands Map for the latest on active threats to federal lands.
View the Threat MapStay in the Loop
Free weekly dispatches on public lands. Threats tracked, wins celebrated, no fluff.
Subscribe on Substack