Bear Watching in Katmai National Park and Preserve

Katmai is one of the premier brown bear viewing areas in the world. The most recent bear survey documented over 2000 brown bears in the park and preserve. At Brooks Camp, the most visited area of the park, brown bears congregate to feed on sockeye salmon at Brooks Falls or elsewhere along the Brooks River. Viewing platforms along the river accommodate visitor numbers while minimizing the effect on bear behavior.

Outside of Brooks Camp, other areas along the Katmai coast and in the preserve also provide bear viewing activities. On the coast, Hallo Bay and Geographic Harbor are two popular areas. In the preserve, Moraine Creek and Funnel Creek attract bear viewers. Bears frequent specific areas at different times, primarily related to food availability.

A table is provided below to show you the best typical times for bear viewing at specific areas. For guides and/or transportation to bear viewing areas, see the list of commercial operators authorized to provide bear viewing trips in Katmai National Park and Preserve.

Bear Viewing Hotspots
Location	Park Area	Bears Eating	June	July	Aug.	Sept.
Brooks Camp	Brooks Camp	Salmon	few (last week-some)	MANY*	few	MANY*
Hallo Bay	Coast	Sedge grass/clams	MANY	some	some	some
Geographic Harbor	Coast	Salmon	few	some	MANY	few
Swikshak Lagoon	Coast	Sedge grass	MANY	few	few	few
Moraine Creek/ Funnel Creek	Preserve	Salmon	few	some	MANY	few
*For Brooks Camp: in July, bears are fishing at Brooks Falls while in Sept., bears are more dispersed in the lower river.

 

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  Bears

  20 Photos

  Shots of Katmai's bears, mostly at Brooks Camp