Katmai National Park: planning guide
Volcanic Alaska peninsula country famous for brown bears at Brooks Falls. Access is limited and often by plane.
Katmai National Park is in AK, United States. Reached by floatplane from King Salmon. Kodiak is the closest mapped town — about 107 mi (172 km) away, not a drive.
When to go
Best window: mid-June through early September. Shoulder season: late May and mid-September.
Most roads, campgrounds, and visitor centres close from October to May, and daylight is very short in midwinter.
The usable season is short and weather closes in fast. Build spare days into any trip that depends on a flight or boat.
Closest towns and cities
| Town | Distance | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Kodiak | 107 mi (172 km) | Not a drive |
| Dillingham | 129 mi (208 km) | Not a drive |
| Anchor Point | 143 mi (230 km) | Not a drive |
| Homer | 146 mi (235 km) | Not a drive |
| Fritz Creek | 157 mi (252 km) | Not a drive |
| Kalifornsky | 186 mi (299 km) | Not a drive |
| Kenai | 193 mi (311 km) | Not a drive |
| Soldotna | 195 mi (314 km) | Not a drive |
Before you go
Katmai National Park does not gate the entrance itself. Specific roads, hikes, or tours still need a permit or timed ticket.
| Booking | Covers | How |
|---|---|---|
| Brooks Camp Camping Permit | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
| Brooks River Corridor Group 7-Day Permits | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
Camping
| Name | Booking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fure's Cabin | Reservable | — |
Permits
| Name | Booking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brooks Camp Camping Permit | Permit / lottery | — |
| Brooks River Corridor Group 7-Day Permits | Permit / lottery | — |
Where Katmai National Park sits
Official Katmai National Park site — hours, closures, and fees.
Drive times from Katmai National Park
Katmai National Park sits close enough to Lake Clark National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park that one drive from home can cover more than one park.
| Park | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Clark National Park | 179 mi (289 km) | 4 hr 42 min |
| Kenai Fjords National Park | 213 mi (343 km) | 5 hr 30 min |
Parks close by
- Lake Clark National Park
Mountains, tundra, and coastline across Cook Inlet from Anchorage. Remote; mostly reached by small plane.
- Kenai Fjords National Park
Glaciers and steep fjords near Seward, Alaska. Boat tours are how most people see the ice and marine life.
- Denali National Park
A huge Alaska mountain and surrounding tundra. Most visitors see it from the park road; the peak is often in clouds.
- Wrangell–St. Elias National Park
Huge mountain and glacier country in eastern Alaska. Remote roads and towns; scale is hard to grasp from one stop.
Common questions
Where is Katmai National Park?
Katmai National Park sits in AK, United States. Kodiak, about 107 mi (172 km) away on the map. Reached by floatplane from King Salmon. That distance is not a drive.
When is the best time to visit Katmai National Park?
Generally mid-June through early September, with late May and mid-September quieter on either side.
Can you camp in Katmai National Park?
Yes — Recreation.gov lists 1 campground at Katmai National Park. Recreation.gov releases most national park campsites six months before the arrival date, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Windows are set per campground, so confirm yours on the Seasons and Fees tab on that campground page.