News Release

Katmai National Park and Preserve Is Modifying Brooks Camp Developed Area Operations To Implement Current Health Guidance

The Brooks Camp Developed Area is closed

News Release Date: April 10, 2020

Contact: Mark Sturm, [phone]

Katmai National Park and Preserve, in response to health guidance from the State of Alaska and the Bristol Bay Borough, is announcing modifications to operations to support federal, state, and local efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). 

Effective immediately and continuing through 12:01 AM on July 1, 2020 Katmai National Park will offer no services outside those that support visitor or resource protection. At Katmai National Park and Preserve, the Brooks Camp Developed Area (please see map), is closed and accordingly the following services and operations will be suspended in order to comply with state and local health guidence: 
 

• All commercial services occurring in the Brooks Camp Developed Area
• The Brooks Camp campground.  
• On-site visitor information and services at Brooks Camp.
• On-site public programs at Brooks Camp

 
The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at the Brooks Camp Developed Area is our number one priority. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. We will notify the public when we resume full operations and provide updates on our website www.nps.gov/katm and social media channels.  

Outdoor spaces outside of the Brooks Camp Developed Area remain accessible to the public in accordance with the latest federal, state, and local health guidance. Law Enforcement and first responder services remain accessible.

If contemplating a visit to a national park during this pandemic, the NPS asks visitors to adhere to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local public health authorities to protect visitors and employees. As services are limited, the NPS urges visitors to continue to practice Leave No Trace principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safer and healthier.

The NPS encourages people to take advantage of the many digital tools already available to explore Katmai National Park and Preserve, including:  
 

• Katmai’s Facebook page
• Park Film, The Ends of the Earth - Alaska's Wild Peninsula
• Katmai National Park and Preserve’s You Tube Channel
• Brown Bears of Katmai Alaska | Pearls of the Planet  
• Junior Ranger Program
• Other Park Fun

Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Please check with individual parks for specific details about park operations.