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The Brooks Camp Campground in Katmai National Park provides a quintessential Alaskan wildlife experience. When campers step off their floatplane or boat, they enter one of the largest concentrated habitats of brown bears on earth. July and September are the prime bear viewing months and close encounters are common. Katmai National Monument was established in 1918 to preserve the famed Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a spectacular 40 square miles of deep ash flow deposited by the 1912 volcanic eruption of Novarupta. A National Park and Preserve since 1980, Katmai is still famous for volcanoes, brown bears, pristine waterways, abundant fish and rugged coastline. Natural Features: Nestled in the boreal forest, between Dumpling Mountain and the scenic shores of Naknek Lake, Brooks Camp is a short walk from the Brooks Camp Visitor Center. Recreation: In addition to bear viewing, many people enjoy sport fishing, kayaking, hiking, and birding. If you are interested in hiking, the Dumpling Mountain trailhead is within the campground. Daily Ranger-led programs are also available. Fishing licenses can be purchased at the Brooks Lodge Trading Post. Facilities: Brooks Camp is the only developed camping area in Katmai. A fish freezer is available, but no fish cleaning is allowed within a 1.5-mile radius of Brooks Falls. Bring all food and cooking supplies. Drinking water is available in summer months. All guests at Brooks Camp must attend a Ranger-led bear orientation to learn park rules and regulations regarding bears. Close encounters with bears are common. Maintain at least 50 yards distance from bears, even within electric fencing. Nearby Attractions: Take a ranger-led bus tour to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes or travel by canoe down the Alagnak Wild River toward Bristol Bay and the Bering Sea. Flight-seeing trips above the Alaska Peninsula are also available to visitors.
Katmai is 290 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska. There are daily commercial flights from Anchorage to King Salmon. Commercial air taxis fly daily, weather permitting, from King Salmon, Anchorage and Homer to Brooks Camp. Many individual lodges have their own transportation
Great camp site! Lots of semi-private spots, running water, trash collection, gear and food cache and only a stone's throw from the beach.
The trailhead to Mount Dumpling starts in camp and the trail to the ranger station and lodge is really well maintained.
Food, snacks and hot showers can be purchased at the lodge if that's your thing too.
Loved it. We don't do a lot of camping, but opted for a night at Brooks Camp as a less expensive alternative to the lodge. Money aside, it was the best decision we made on the trip. Easy check-in process (including bear safety training), plenty of space to set-up a tent, and its a short walk to the lodge where we ate our meals. The campground has also clean restrooms. The biggest plus: It's a prime location next to the lake. Bears walk by the lakeshore and campground all the time. We felt safe at night with the electric fence, but be bear aware when walking to and from the lodge and falls. Downside? Mosquitos. Bring a head net and do your best to keep them out of your tent.
Don't let the cost scare you away. It did for my wife but I booked the flight anyway & when we got back she was ready to go the next day. AWSOME experience. If you want bears go there. Highlight of our trip. Not just the bears but the flight over was spectacular, flying just above the mountain tops you got a birds eye view of the Tundra and the many colorful lakes below. Just Go.
A must visit place if you love nature. There's a lot to enjoy! Rangers are friendly and helpful, and views are like no other place!
The trails are very clean, making it enjoyable for a great walk!
This place is ridiculous. With the highest concentration of brown bears the world and the means to observe them doing what coastal bears do best, this trip is a must. A bunk room for 4 is about $1k, and be prepared to spend a pretty penny on a flight, but the rewards are worth it. Photographer’s paradise.
