How do I make a reservation?
Brooks Camp Campground reservations must be made online at or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Both require a major credit card (Visa/Mastercard, Discover, or American Express) for payment. Reservations are $8 per person per night.
What do I do when the campground is full?
When the campground is at capacity for one or multiple nights during your trip, don’t be discouraged because you can still come to Brooks Camp. However, you must travel outside the Brooks Camp Developed Area (BCDA), which is defined as at least a mile and a half 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 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 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 on your way to King Salmon by the airlines and your gear does not arrive with you. This is an extremely unfortunate situation to find yourself in and you will have to make some really hard 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! You will have to make do with what you have should you choose to continue to Brooks Camp without your own gear, which might mean sleeping on the ground in the rain/mosquitoes for a night or two until your gear can 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 while only flying to and returning from Brooks Camp on day trips, carrying essential gear on the plane with you while spreading the rest in multiple checked bags, or attempting to purchase new gear in town before continuing to Brooks Camp. This is an unfortunate reality of visiting remote Brooks Camp as there are only extremely limited options for accommodations or gear rental/purchase. The good news is that the lodge does serve three hot meals a day, allow 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 you wish knowing that the next day you can get a warm shower and a hot meal.
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.
