News Release

Katmai National Park and Preserve to open campground reservations for the 2021 season

NPS Photo

News Release Date: February 19, 2021

Contact: Katmai National Park Headquarters, 907-246-3305

King Salmon, AK – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Katmai National Park and Preserve (Katmai NP&P) is increasing access to camping at the Brooks Camp Campground by opening at a 25% capacity at the beginning of the 2021 season. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

Beginning June 1, 2021, Katmai NP&P will reopen overnight campground access in the Brooks Camp Campground at 25% capacity. Reservations will open to the public beginning March 5, 2021 at 8:00 am AKST on www.recreation.gov. The Brooks Camp Campground costs $12 per person per night June 1 through September 17 and $6 per person per night September 18 through October 31. Campers are limited to 7 nights in July and 14 nights per calendar year. Group size is limited to 6.

All front and backcountry areas beyond the Brooks Camp Developed Area continue to be available. Additional details and current park conditions are posted on the park’s website.

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Katmai NP&P, our operational approach continues to be centered on examining and monitoring each facility function and service to ensure they comply with current public health guidance on an ongoing basis. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public areas and workspaces are adequately maintained for use by visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.

A safe and enjoyable park experience begins at home. The NPS encourages visitors to plan their visit by checking the park’s website and social media for current conditions and travel tips. The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We ask the public to be our partner in recreating responsibly, by following CDC and state and local guidance, social distancing, and wearing a face covering when social distance cannot be maintained.

For those of you “parked” at home who want to visit the park virtually, the NPS has many digital tools available to explore Katmai National Park and Preserve, including:

• Watch the Brooks bears on the Live Bear Cams.

• Discover science, history and more on Katmai National Park and Preserve’s YouTube Channel.  

• Explore Katmai with our Junior Ranger Program.  

• Find out what else awaits with Other Park Fun. 

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.