Camper Questions & Problems

How do I make a reservation?

Brooks Camp Campground reservations must be made online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Both require a major credit card (Visa/Mastercard, Discover, or American Express) for payment. Reservations are $12 per person per night.

What do I do when the campground is full?

If the campground is full, you must travel outside the Brooks Camp Developed Area (BCDA), which is defined as 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from Brooks Falls in any direction, before setting up a backcountry camp of your own. Most folks walk out the park road which meanders about three miles before exiting the Brooks Camp Developed Area. There are no fees, facilities, or permits associated with backcountry camping in Katmai, except for free bear resistant container (BRC) checkout at either the Brooks Camp Visitor Center or the King Salmon Visitor Center.

When the campground does not have enough space for the entire group for a night, what should I plan on doing?

Brooks Camp Campground accommodates a maximum of 60 campers. Each camper must have a valid reservation for each night and it is illegal to overnight in the campground without a valid reservation. The only solution is to plan on traveling outside the Brooks Camp Developed Area (defined as 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from Brooks Falls in any direction) to set up your own backcountry campsite for free. A bear resistant container is required and can be checked out for free at the Brooks Camp Visitor Center or the King Salmon Visitor Center. Part of a group could also return to town to find accommodations if they are unwilling or unable to camp in the backcountry for the night. Check at the Brooks Camp Visitor Center upon arrival to see if there have been any cancellations, but plan on camping in the Katmai backcountry when the campground is full.

What do I do when my gear and equipment did not arrive with me to King Salmon?

Occasionally, bags are delayed by the airlines on the way to King Salmon and your gear may not arrive with you. This is an extremely unfortunate situation to find yourself in and you will have to make some difficult decisions about your trip to Brooks Camp. There is no equipment available to borrow or rent at Brooks Camp while you wait for your gear to catch up with you! If you choose to continue to Brooks Camp without your own gear, you will have to make do with what you have. This might mean sleeping on the ground in the rain/mosquitoes for a night or two until your gear can be located and flown to Brooks Camp. Before continuing to Brooks Camp without your gear, consider alternatives such as finding accommodations in King Salmon or Naknek for the evening, or attempting to purchase new gear in town before continuing to Brooks Camp. Due to Brooks Camp's remote location, there are extremely limited options for accommodations or gear rental/purchase. When packing, you also might consider carrying essential gear on the plane with you while spreading the rest in multiple checked bags. The good news is that the lodge does serve three hot meals a day, allows campers to purchase a hot shower, and provides flight service to Brooks Camp throughout the day, so you could pack a tarp in your carry on and sleep on the ground if necessary.

I need to make a campground reservation at Brooks Camp.

Reservations for the Brooks Camp Campground can only be made online with a major credit card (Visa/Mastercard, Discover, or American Express). Plan ahead and reserve your nights early, and bring your credit card with you to Brooks Camp. Check in at the Brooks Camp Visitor Center to make campground reservations or check availability while at Brooks Camp. It is illegal to camp without reservations in the Brooks Camp Campground, but you can travel outside the Brooks Camp Developed Area (defined as a mile and a half from Brooks Falls in any direction) to set up your own backcountry campsite for free. A bear resistant container is required and available for free checkout from the Brooks Camp Visitor Center or the King Salmon Visitor Center.