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This map shows where Katmai National Park is located in relation to major cities in the area and other National Park units.
NPS
Katmai National Park & Preserve is located on the northern Alaska Peninsula, northwest of Kodiak Island and southwest of Homer, Alaska. The park’s headquarters is in King Salmon, about 290 air miles southwest of Anchorage.
Like many areas in Alaska, Katmai is almost exclusively accessed by plane or boat. Some common ways to get to Katmai include commercial flights from Anchorage to the small town of King Salmon, where a visitor will then board a small aircraft or water taxi from King Salmon into the Park. Other options include taking a small aircraft from Anchorage, Kenai, Kodiak or Homer directly to Katmai. Fixed-wing aircraft are allowed to land on all suitable lakes, rivers, beaches, gravel bars, and open ground in both the Park and Preserve, unless the area is closed or otherwise restricted. Depending on where you want to visit in the Park, the aircraft may need to be outfitted to land on water with floats, or on the ground with wheels. When visiting the Katmai Coast, it is important to check the tide tables to ensure a float plane can land close enough to shore, or if a wheeled aircraft is better suited.
Katmai National Park and Preserve boasts 4.2 million acres of land and much of this area is rarely visited and opportunities for incredible wilderness experiences abound. Other areas, such as Brooks Camp, are more easily accessed and have amenities like lodging and hot meals. Many companies provide a variety of commercial visitor services including transportation, guided day trips, guided multi-day trips, overnight accommodations, and food services. Commercial partners are authorized by permit to operate in the parks.
Flying Safely
Katmai is rugged and remote. Planning ahead for flexibility and inclement weather is vital to a successful trip. Give yourself a few extra days on each side of your trip itinerary in the likely event of weather delays. In Alaska, we talk about the "circle of safety" where the passenger is a partner in ensuring a safe flight.Passengers should take an active role in ensuring everyone's safety by getting familiar with the details of their trip. As a passenger, you should be willing to ask questions in a polite way if you feel uncomfortable about something or have additional questions. This idea can be intimidating, but if you are uncomfortable about something there is probably a reason. It is important to act on those feelings and voice any concerns. The pilot may have a simple answer that restores your comfort level. Asking a question may be all it takes to refocus on safety and avoid a mishap with the flight.
The most common places to visit Katmai include Brooks Camp, Halo Bay, Amalik Bay, and the Funnel/Moraine area of the Katmai Preserve. Below are alphabetized lists of authorized air taxis that travel to and from the Park and Preserve. Please contact each provider individually for location services, pricing, and availability. These lists are not endorsements by the National Park Service but are intended to provide information.
The following linked air taxi operators are permitted to operate within the national park under FAA Part 135 air taxi regulations which require three miles visibility and glide distance to shorelines while crossing open water such as Cook Inlet. There are also guide services permitted to guide in the park who fly aircraft, land outside the park and walk into the park for guiding purposes. Those guides operate under FAA part 91 regulations which have lower safety visibility and glide distance requirements. The beaches below mean high tide along Cook Inlet are outside Katmai National Park and Preserve.
For a full list of commercial services please visit the Directory of Services for Katmai National Park
Getting to King Salmon may include a commercial flight to the area to then access these taxis. Find information about commercial flights to King Salmon through Alaska Air or Aleutian Airways
Alaska is a vast landscape, with many popular national parks and other public lands. Check with the Alaska Public Lands Information Center for help planning your journey to other parts of the state.
Traveling Green
Learn more about traveling green during your trip to Katmai.
