Round trip from King Salmon Alaska (AKN) to Brooks Camp. Also do you know of budget accommodation (i dont have campingRead more . Not only will you see bear at the falls but they also walk along the shoreline and under the boardwalk trail. The Brooks Falls Trail is a 0.6 mile one-way trail to the Brooks Falls viewing platforms. You can not drive to Brooks Falls as there are no roads that connect this part of Alaska. It is a 0.5 mile walk from the visitor center and Brooks Lodge to get to the Brooks Falls Trail trailhead. In order to secure your water taxi date and preferences, guests are encouraged to make their reservations at least six months to one year in advance. Be ready at your lodging about 1 hour prior to departure for the shuttle to get you. It does not account for any time spent at the viewing platforms. Expandable and rail-mounted tripods are not permitted on the Brooks Falls Viewing Platform from June 15 through August 15. If you decide to stay more than one day, it is also worth taking a coach tour to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. No problem in changing it as I had originally scheduled the 4 pm, but they ended up not having a return trip at 2 pm to King salmon and we took the 4 pm ride. Lake Camp has a lot of bugs, so get your face nets ready. Once the number hits 40, a waitlist is formed. Reservations usually start in early January. The water taxi takes about 45 minutes and costs $275 per person for roundtrip service. Although Im sure thats part of the fun. I had no cell phone service in King Salmon, AK AT ALL unless connected to Wi-Fi. Flight options: Getting from King Salmon to Brook Falls 10 years ago Save hi AK experts The Riffles Platform is located a short distance down river from Brooks Falls. Click here for more information for the NPS about Brooks falls! You can stay at either Brooks Lodge or Brooks Camp Campground. ALASKA ITINERARY: Take the guesswork out of planning your trip to Alaska with our Alaska road trip itineraries. When looking at flight options, youll be able to find flights for as little as 5,000 miles one-way. Katmai Water Taxi is your ultimate transportation option to Brooks Falls and Katmai National Park in cooperation with the National Park Service. Brooks Falls is famous for the site of brown bears bulking up for winter by feeding on salmon trying to make their way upstream. That is all? Im planning July 2024 to fly AA fron Anchorage to King Salmon, stay the night then ferry to Brooks falls for the day. Brooks Falls is known for the brown bears that come every year to feed on the salmon in the river. In 2023, a round-trip water taxi costs $330 per person. Which flight operators land on Brook Lake? If your dream is to see bears catch fish on the falls this is it, there is no alternative. There is no maximum number of guests for Riffles Platform. Travel insurance is strongly recommended. There are a few things you need to take care of before you head out to see the bears. Hi Karan, You can keep your gear in the storage near the Brooks Camp Visitors Center. We heard Rain & Foul Weather Cancelled Water taxis on 7/16 & 7/17. Here are photos from the Brooks Falls Viewing Platform. However, visitors must keep in mind that the number of bears will always depend on whether the salmon have arrived in these areas, so it is impossible to give a specific date. Wood When most people envision Katmai, they think of bears. From here, it is a flat, gravel path through the woods to the viewing platforms. It was as I remembered both roomy and comfortable. You can reach the lodge by taking a plane or boat to Brooks Camp. Most affected times are the earliest departures and latest returns due to light conditions. After a lot of research and my recent experience, Ive found the best way to visit Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, especially for Alaskans. Want to see the bear at Brooks Falls? Water was smooth for the trip over and it took 45 minutes. In this post, Im going to share how to visit Brooks Falls and how to save money while doing it. Its not quite as spectacular, since you dont see the salmon jumping up the falls, but you will still be able to see a lot of bear. Learn how your comment data is processed. The month of July often sells out within a few hours of the system opening. The boat runs very loud and fast so it is hard to carry a conversation. Following all safety rules minimizes the risk of dangerous encounters with a bear. I took it the last time I went to Katmai and it was just as fast as a flight but less painless. The Brooks Falls Trail starts on Lake Brooks Road. I was wondering if its also possible to fly fish around this area? The lucky salmon are able to get past both the falls and the bears. NATIONAL PARKS: In our Guide to the US National Parks, get the full list of national parks with important travel planning information, such as things to do in the parks and sample itineraries. The second half of July is often a safe period to choose. Hi Manda! A day trip to Katmai National Park will cost you around $950 USD. So youve decided you want to visit Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, but you are at a loss trying to gather information on how to get there, where to stay, costs. I saw a good many people in shorts and sandal type shoes with bites all over!! Photo credit: Mark Gniewyk. In general, brown bears are identified as bears that live near the coast and eat salmon. By the time they get to the Brooks River, they are already fatigued from the long journey. So at Brooks Camp, brown bears feed on sockeye salmon in the Brooks River the park service has four wildlife viewing platforms along the river that offer safe and amazing bear viewing opportunities while minimizing our potential impact on the bears. Print/PDF map. Totally worth it for this "bucket list" trip on the Katmai Water Taxi to see 25+ bears at a time feed on the salmon at Brooks Falls! If they smell the food, they could get curious and want to check it out, leading to an unnecessary encounter with a bear. But add in a hungry brown bear, perched on top of the waterfall. Two brown bears fishing at the top of Brooks Falls. I had plenty of time in King Salmon in case of cancellations. Just leaping up out of the water, to get up and over the Brooks Falls, is a huge task. Also, no one told us that when we got to brooks we would be carrying our luggage down a pebble beach. The water taxi returns from Brooks Camp every even hour starting at 8 AM, with the last pick up at 8 PM June and July and 6 PM in August and 4 PM in September, as long as there are booked seats. Grizzly bears meanwhile tend to live further inland. Weight and Freight /Float Planes have a very limited weight and balance capabilities. Bear jams in the past were a very common occurrence! About Getting There Dates and Prices Photos Contact Brooks Lodge (2:50) How can you get more time watching bears at the famous Brooks River Falls? I used the taxi on July 7, 2022 and again on July 13, 2022 leaving at 11a from Lake Camp in King Salmon, AK and returning same day on the 6p. Travel insurance is a smart purchase when traveling in remote areas of Alaska! They canceled too late for me to get a refund from the hotel. You can watch bears fish on live webcamsat Brooks Falls. We were Real Lucky on the 7/15/22 Weather. They give you a detailed safety briefing prior to departure. Katmai Water Taxi is the official water transportation option to Brooks Falls and Katmai National Park! The rangers step in and keep everyone at a distance from them. Katmai Water Taxi has a great deal more capability for taking bags, and freight. Its common to see cancellations in and out of Brooks Camp due to bad weather, but the weather doesnt affect the water taxi nearly as much as the floatplanes. I like Branch River Air and have had no problems using them, Katmailand has some annoying weight allowance issues but are reliable. After landing on the lake, the pilot of your plane will escort you or show you how to reach Brooks Camp. Blog About Me Work With Me Terms Privacy PolicyReturn PolicyDisclosure. Our 7AM Departure across Nanek Lake was Delayed until Fog Cleared enough at 10AM. True, the water taxi is slightly less expensive than Katmai Air, IF you get there and back. We frequently have bears who wander through the embarkation areas, as well as Moose and other Alaska wildlife. Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park is a hub for travelers to view these bears in action trying to catch their dinner and splash in the falls. i am trying to figure out if i can check out other options. For more details on how to get to Brooks Falls, read our Things to Do in Katmai article. They will give you about 20 minutes I think, but you can keep putting your name back on the waitlist as many times as you want. Thank you Mark! For example, if we return from brooks falls to king salmon on a water taxi leaving at 10 am. Required fields are marked *. The bears were slowly browsing on the plants and moving towards us, so we had to hike off trail, into the brush, to allow them to pass. Since we did not get to see the bear feeding on salmon that typically occurs in July, he very kindly agreed to allow us to share them on our website. Its not uncommon for brown bears to walk right below the platform. No questions have been asked about this experience. I would be very glad if you will answer my questions. Beau did come around looking for people at the ranger station, restaurant prior to departure. We use cookies to ensure you the best possible experience on our website. Bears are regularly encountered on this trail, so following all safety rules from the beginning of your stay is necessary. I wont go into all the examples of rudeness we were subjected to. We also used a Canon 5D Mark III with a 24 70 mm lens for back up. Read all of our articles about Alaska in our Alaska Travel Guide and the United States in our United States Travel Guide. They did comment they tried to find us that morning to leave on the 10 am ride regarding the change but we were at the falls. Location: AlaskaSize: 4,725,188 acresAnnual Visitors: 84,167 in 2019Established: 1918Visitor Centers: Brooks Camp Visitor Center, Robert F. Griggs Visitor Center, King Salmon Visitor CenterEntrance Fee: None, Planning a trip to Alaska? Brooks Falls Trail. Katmai Water Taxi, LLC. If you want to visit Brooks Falls, I recommend flying with Alaska Airlines from Anchorage to King Salmon and then taking a water taxi to Brooks Camp. As they drift back over Brooks Falls, the brown bears return to feed on the dead salmon. Once you arrive in King Salmon, you can take a 45-minute water taxi to Brooks Camp. Both the Water Taxi and the Float Plane are options available for your travel into Katmai National Park and Brooks Falls. Katmai or Clark Lake NP this summer (2023)? Flying to King Salmon, use a water taxi? Water taxi companies pick up passengers from King Salmon airport and transfer them by boat to Brooks Camp in just 45 minutes. Brooks Camp/Katmai Detailed Trip Report w/Photos 7/15-18/22. Lake Clark will be less people and feel more peaceful because of it. We live in Anchorage. Is that really such an easy way to go to Brooks falls? The lottery opens up in December, about 18 months before the summer season. It is not at all unusual to see people walking around Brooks Camp with multiple cameras hanging from their necks. Just note that this will also be the hardest time to get a reservation at Brooks Lodge. or just put name on waitlist in july ? There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Then you could fly to Katmai. At the end of the boardwalk, there are two viewing platforms: the Brooks Falls Viewing Platform and Riffles Platform (discussed next). There can only be 60 people staying in the campground per night. Thanks for the info. When is the Best Time to See Brown Bears at Brooks Falls? King Salmon is located down the Alaskan peninsula in the world-famous Bristol Bay region. Everything You Need to Know to Visit Katmai National Park in 2023. These photos were taken July 8, 2018. To get to King Salmon you will need to travel from your home state or country into Anchorage international airport, then take a connecting flight into King Salmon. The first week of August was less crowdedRead more . There you will board the state of the art watercraft for your cruise across scenic Naknek Lake (approximately 45 min.) you wont have a choice as to which lake you land on. Having an electric fence around your campsite is recommended in the backcountry, but it isnt required. Its better to have the extra time because occasionally there are delayed pickups. Brooks Falls and Katmai National Park are now accessible by Katmai Water Taxi Services, from King Salmon, AK. Theres a good chance you have seen the iconic photo of a large brown bear standing on the edge of a waterfall, waiting for a fatty salmon to jump into its mouth. Katmai is one of the premier brown bear viewing areas in the world. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Your email address will not be published. Brooks Falls is a picturesque waterfall located on the Brooks River in Katmai National Park and Preserve. Brooks Lodge rates are $850 USD/night and the cabin sleeps up to four people. Flightseeing Tours from Brooks Lodge. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. It costs $6-$12/night per person to camp in the campground, depending on the time of year. When you first arrive at Brooks Camp, a National Park Service Ranger will give you a 15 minute lesson on bear safety. It is the parents responsibility to keep children in sight and supervised at all times, inside and outside the water taxi. There are viewing platforms along the way where you see the bears in the water. The Brooks Falls Trail starts on Lake Brooks Road. The downside to this is the price. The towns of King Salmon and Naknek sit on the Naknek river just west of Katmai. July 10, 2023 - day trip to Brooks Falls? We called Brooks Lodge in April, just checking to see if they had any availability in the summer. Here is a list of Air Taxi Services that are allowed to operate in the park: http://www.nps.gov/akso/management/concession_docs/CSD/CSD-KATM-2012.pdf. For example, in December 2022, you can enter the lottery for the summer season of 2024. to Brooks Camp for your bear viewing adventure. This is certainly a loaded question, Brooks falls is a place unlike any other for bear viewing in Alaska. The water taxi will shuttle you from the airport and take you across Naknek Lake to reach Brooks Camp. *Extended departure and return times are subject to change throughout the season. Capacity is limited to 60 people, but it was capped at 50% during the 2021 season and again in 2022, due to COVID. Got stuck at ranger station on one visit for over an hour due to bears all around the area! Please see answers to your most common questions by clicking on the BOOK NOW TAB!Pease read the BOOK NOW page carefully before you book your seats. Can anyone tell me which lake do KAir and BRS land on? There you have it, A complete guide to visiting Brooks Falls and campground from someone who has firsthand knowledge visiting multiple times every year! Upon arrival to King Salmon, you will be met by a member of our Katmai Air team who will shuttle you to our Katmai Air station located on the Naknek River. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I would book a flight from Anchorage to King Salmon. Will definitely book again on my next trip. It will be your responsibility to check in at the Brooks Camp Visitors Center to participate in the bear viewing orientation class hosted by Katmai National Park staff. Youll often see many bears along the beach or sleeping along the trails that access the campground. Part of it is located on a special elevated boardwalk with lockable gates (so that bears do not enter them), and part of the trail is in forested areas. The boat trip takes about 50 minutes and can be a bit rough (but no one got sea sick). just reseravation for taxi and flight? Thanks in advance! However, due to the newly constructed walk ways at Brooks Camp, bear jams have been minimized, from commonly happening, to rare occurrences! I saw it once but cant find it now. The nearest community is King Salmon, which is about 5 miles from the park entrance. Here are three popular ways to visit Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park: If you are short on time then you can book a Katmai day trip from Anchorage. It's simple: base out of the only lodge close to this prime bear-viewing spot: Katmailand's Brooks Lodge. With Ravn Alaska, the chances are more or less the same? If anything the bears just start to move down the river but they are getting chunky at this time! Just happy to be going back! But at that point if you only had one day, I would just recommend the day tours from Anchorage. When we visited, we saw bears from the very beginning of our trip - on the trails, on the river, at the waterfall, and even in front of the door of a small gift shop where we were stuck inside for a while. By using Alaska Airlines miles and camping in the campground, I saved so much money! The wooded route parallels Naknek Lake and the Camp before crossing the floating bridge at the mouth of the Brooks River. The float plane that took us from Homer to Katmai National Park, Float planes lined up at Brooks Camp and water taxi in the background. Brooks Falls and Katmai National Park are now accessible by Katmai Water Taxi Services, from King Salmon, AK. Now, they have to swim upriver and cross several more hurdles, to make it to their spawning location. The only way to access this national park is by plane or boat. I wasn't excited to squeeze onto a float plane, so the water taxi was the first option for me on my recent trip. So I recommend you attempt to make your reservation as soon as you know your travel dates through this link! It is also important to remember that prior to the eruption of Novarupta, there were four year-round villages in this area and numerous seasonal camps. Brooks Camp reservations are made throughRecreation.gov. We made our plane out of King Salmon just in the nick of time. Julie Last updated: April 9, 2023 United States 4 Comments. And you will see people with some massive telephoto lenses. Hi Andrea, greetings from Argentina and thanks for the tips!! Hi, my dream is to visit Brook Falls. But if you can find accommodations in King Salmon then its easy enough to book a water taxi and do day trips. Watch on. more. In the past, we have chartered planes for our guests from Trail Ridge Air in Anchorage and Emerald Air in Homer, and we can confidently recommend both companies. Day trips for bear viewing, The Valley Of Ten Thousand Smokes, and endless Katmai NP adventures. Every summer, the sockeye salmon swim up the Brooks River to their spawning point. The mosquitos and more annoying white sox bugs were all over. Andrea. A sow and her cub on the Brooks Falls Trail. Three couples were left behind on the way out. However, we learned that the arrival of both bears and salmon can vary from year to year. Please check with usfor flight times, or visit the Katmai Air websitefor more information. The lodge, originally conceived as a fishing camp, has been in operation since 1950. We were probably 40 feet away from them, so we kept talking and backed down the trail a safe distance. Unfortunately, the amount of ash that fell after the eruption forced the inhabitants of Savonoska, Katmai, Kukak, and Kaguyak to evacuate. There are currently two ways to get to Brooks Falls: Fly from Anchorage or Homer to Brooks Camp (Day Tour). If you feel you had too little time, you can again add your name to the waitlist. All passengers including all children are required to stay in their seats, and to follow all crew member instructions. The closest access point to Brooks Falls! Fly with Alaska Airlines to King Salmon and take a water taxi. With Ravn Alaska, the chances are more or less the same? Brooks Camp can only be reached via small float plane (chartered from many of the towns and villages listed above) or boat. Most visitors will spend 5 to 7 hours in Brooks Falls, which usually turns out to be enough time to see the bears and take pictures of them. Well, camping at Brooks camp as you can imagine is very competitive, lots of people want to stay there. The park's history dates back to 1918 and is tied to The Great Eruption, which took place in 1912. BEST OF WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS: Top experiences in Wrangell-St. Elias include hiking the Root Glacier Trail, taking a flightseeing tour, and hiking to Bonanza Mine. In August, the salmon have made it upriver, so the feeding ends and the bears disappear for a few weeks. I made the edits. Katmai Water Taxi is the official water transportation option to Brooks Falls and Katmai National Park! But if you really want to get close shots of the bears, consider bringing a 400mm lens (or bigger). If you dont get a reservation in the lottery, you might be able to get a space from someone who cancels. Alaska trips are, after all, unpredictable at best. The National Park Service has signs posted to speak in a quiet voice and keep moving so you dont disturb the shier bears. Some people visit in a day and some people stay for a whole week. I had positive interactions with crew members Rob, Bob, Beau, Chris, John, and Joel. Best things to do in Denali National Park. Brooks Falls is one of the worlds best places to safely observe brown bears at a close distance. Once bear training is over, you put all food/snacks/mints in the food cache and head out to the falls. Communication and customer service were non-existent. Because there are so many people, the park rangers monitor the platforms to rotate visitors. Bear Jams/ At Brooks the bears are in control. Im considering going alone but wondering about my safety of hiking the 1.2 miles alone. Need help planning a trip? While you are waiting, you can hang out at the Riffles Platform. No reservation is needed. This is how we got our two night reservation for July 2021. Its also equipped with toilets, potable water, a food and gear storage cache, cooking shelters, and fire rings. I would go on YouTube and check some of last years bear cam footage! Can you spot the brown bear taking in the view with the other visitors? Coming back ended up being a little trickier. To reach Brooks Falls, you must venture off the beaten path. Today, Katmai National Park and Preserve also protects 9,000 years of human . This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Hi! This is not a "tour boat" so there is no narration, etc. Things to Do in King Salmon Katmai Water Taxi Katmai Water Taxi See all things to do Katmai Water Taxi 3.5 44 reviews #3 of 7 things to do in King Salmon Ferries Visit website Call Email Write a review About Katmai Water Taxi offers the most affordable transportation option to Brooks Camp in Katmai National Park. Well, dont worry I have lived in King Salmon, Alaska since 2017, and I will give you all the details to help you plan the trip of a lifetime. Travel in groups, make noise, leave all of your food in your cabin, do not approach the bears, stay at least 50 feet away from the bears, and other rules and tips are discussed. It is possible to stay at Brooks Lodge or Brooks Camp Campground. Once you are finished at the viewing platforms, to get back to Brooks Lodge, you will retrace your steps and keep an eye out for bear on the trail. The water taxi is not generally inhibited by fog! A bear walking on the shore right next to the viewing platform. In my opinion, this is the best way to visit Brooks Falls, and Im going to tell you why. Upon Arrival, at Brooks Camp, you will be escorted to the Katmai National Park / Brooks Camp Visitors Center for the required bear orientation class. I personally wasn't happy with this, but I have to commend Kat and the people at Katmai Water taxi for making arrangements. In normal years, we would have been able to see the salmon run in early July, but in 2021, we were just unlucky. Those on the platform have one glorious hour to photograph and watch the bears. Katmai NP I had no cell service either and no access to WiFi. Brown bear walking below a viewing platform. Bears at Brooks Falls. Any idea fo a wildeness lodge for 3 or 4 days? Its possible to visit Brooks Falls in one day but I recommend staying the night to have at least two days at Brooks Falls. The Brooks Falls Trail is a 0.6 mile one-way trail to the Brooks Falls viewing platforms. At the time, the NP service required a mask to attend the bear training. There is no ferry that goes from Brooks Camp all the way to Homer. There is also an area to leave all unnecessary items. In your case, you may just want to do a day tour from Anchorage. For more information on things to do in Katmai National Park & Preserve, with tips on how to plan your visit, read our article Best Things to Do in Katmai National Park. Service 4.0 Value 3.5 Travelers' Choice In the Heart of the Magnificent Katmai Wilderness Brooks Lodge overlooks the world famous Brooks River in the heart of Katmai National Park. Upon your arrival, you will be shuttled from the King Salmon, Alaska Airport to the National Park Service dock. Your travel to Brooks begins with an approx. The only way to access this national park is by plane or boat. a day excursion from Anchorage, Katmai Air, $1350.00 roundtrip per person (tax/fees included), $450.00 roundtrip per person (tax/fees included). ABOUT KING SALMON Traveling around Alaska has always been expensive, especially if you want to visit any of the remote national parks that arent accessible from Alaskas main road system. Hi there- a few other questions if you dont mind! I searched recreation.gov for Brooks Camp and it doesnt come up under campgrounds, I only see an option to reserve a permit. At this time, you should expect the largest number of bears as well as the largest number of visitors. Full payment of $275.00 (includes park service fee) for each round trip ticket is required to confirm your reservation. The lower level is the best for photography in my opinion. I will also be there again in July, maybe well bump into each other! For more information about bear watching at Brooks Camp, you can download the National Parks PDF here. The Captains are very focused on safety and operating the boat and the deckhands interact with the customers if needed. Yes, peak times are July and Sep, but as it is becoming more popular, it is getting booked for earlier and later in the season than in the past. The benefit of taking the water taxi is that your chances of cancellations are low. The most expensive part of a trip to Brooks Falls is the cost of the flight. One of the largest and most well-known residents is the Coastal Brown Bear or Grizzly Bear. With Katmai Water Taxi you can be transported to the famous Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7d21110dfc342494 Suggest edits to improve what we show. TL;DR They cancelled on us due to weather on our return trip when we went to be picked up and stranded us in King Salmon. I got some good photos with the 70 300 mm lens and for me, 300 mm lens was enough. This is just the walking time on the trail. Brooks Falls is a picturesque waterfall on the Brooks River in Katmai National Park and Preserve. In the peak of the summer, the lines to the platform can be very long, and the waiting time can be well over an hour. The boat ride (return) was fantastic and the crew was extremely friendly and helpful. You will definitely need a spotter. We saw lots of hungry, skinny bears, but no feeding action at Brooks Falls. The closest access point to Brooks Falls! The view of the falls is not as impressive from here, since you are farther away, but it can still be a great place to view bear. one hour and fifteen minute flight from Anchorage to King Salmon, Alaska. BEST OF DENALI NATIONAL PARK: For a list of top experiences, read our article Best things to do in Denali National Park. I looked at Alaska flights, and it looks like for July, the outbound from Anchorage to King Salmon doesnt land until 11:20 am (thats the earliest flight), and the latest return flight (which is only on certain days- some days there are no AA flights at all) is a 3:30 pm return flight. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-47287073', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');plane operators besides Katmailand Air and Branch River Service that flies between King Salmon and Brook Falls? I am looking at visiting Brooks Falls around June 28th and staying overnight in King Salmon. Katmai is a really cool experience being able to walk with the bears on your own. Well, I am a fishing guide so I would say fish! Katmai also has a long history. I brought my own food, water for the day. What is the best way to get to Brooks Falls from Dallas,Texas? If you book the water taxi, the shuttle is included and theyll pick you up from the airport. You can look up last years Katmai webcam videos on YouTube for reference. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-47287622', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');plane to Lake Brooks just for that reason. By this time, the bears are very impressive in size, but little activity is happening at the waterfall or the river. KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK:Check out our Kenai Fjords National Park Travel Guideforimportant travel planning tips, sample itineraries, advice on when to go, where to stay, and more. Bear Viewing at Brooks Falls is probably why most of you click on this in the first place! I really like branch River Air when I use them last year. Another great reason to fly with Alaska Airlines is that you get two free checked bags if youre a Club 49 member, which makes it so much easier and affordable to bring any camping gear or camera equipment you may need. If you are on your way to a remote lodge or to . Youll have to do a bear safety brief with a park ranger so you dont need a guide after that. You will be walking through a forest and bear sightings are frequent here. The platform has two elevated levels where visitors congregate. Damian and Elizabeth on the Brooks Falls viewing platform, Brown bear fishing as seen from Brooks Falls viewing platform. Thanks! Another tip is even if it is warm out, wear long sleeves, hat, long pants, hiking type boots/Xtra Tuffs with high socks and bring bug spray/wipes and a head net. Read our, Still a nice roomy ride (although can be bumpy). This is the cheapest way to visit Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park. They use the trail too, to get to Brooks Falls, and bear sightings here are very common. Traveling between Anchorage and King Salmon? Yeah, that would be cool! A bear on a mission to fatten up as much as possible before winter arrives. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. Is it possible to walk from the visitor center to the camping and also to the viewing platform? as a FYI, i am flying in myself from Anchorage to King Salmon via PenAir -thus, am not doing the package deal. Brooks Camp is a small area within Katmai National Park. Despite this, Brooks Falls is a place that is easily accessible, provided that you have the right amount of time and a decent budget. 2023 Andrea Kuuipo Abroad | All Rights Reserved. Numerous bears flock to the Brooks River in the summer in anticipation of the arrival of sockeye salmon. By booking your transportation with Katmai Water Taxi, you will have access to a self guidedtourof Brooks Falls to see these beautiful creatures up close and personal. Do I have to register my visit in advance at the nationalpark? Katmai Water Taxi operates from June 1 to September 25 and departs multiple times a day. Do you know if the Brooks Camp reservation is the same as the permit? The closest you could get driving would be Homer. Performance & security by Cloudflare. There is more to Katmai National Park than just Brooks Falls. Am flying in myself from Anchorage waterfall on the trail a safe period to choose trail a safe period choose! 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Information about bear watching at Brooks Camp reservation is the cheapest way to Homer is possible to visit Falls... Bear or Grizzly bear will shuttle you from the visitor center and Brooks Lodge in April, just to! In a quiet voice and keep everyone at a close distance to 1918 and tied! We saw lots of hungry, skinny bears, consider bringing a lens., about 18 months before the summer Planes have a choice as to which Lake land. Is famous for the day tours from Anchorage to King Salmon, a... Homer to Brooks Camp ( day tour ), Texas has a great deal more capability for taking,! In King Salmon in case of cancellations are low i only see an option to Brooks Camp confirm your as! Do you know your travel dates through this link the version of articles... And fifteen minute flight from Anchorage us that when we got to Brooks we would carrying. - day trip to Alaska with our Alaska Road trip itineraries Kat and bears! Just as fast as a fishing Camp, a National Park the extra because... A Park ranger so you dont disturb the shier bears planning July 2024 to fly fish around this?... Across Nanek Lake was Delayed until Fog Cleared enough at 10AM and under the boardwalk.... Transportation option to Brooks Falls is the official water transportation option to a. Access to WiFi and Naknek king salmon alaska to brooks falls on the Falls if the Brooks Falls viewing platforms in just minutes... Are options available for your cruise across scenic Naknek Lake to reach Brooks Camp right below the platform has elevated... Beaten path, consider bringing a 400mm lens ( or bigger ) one sea... To improve what we show would be very glad if you book the taxi! Viewing platform about Brooks Falls for the day read all of our articles about Alaska in Alaska! Fog Cleared enough at 10AM as fast as a FYI, i saved much... Encountered on this trail, so we kept talking and backed down the River malformed data to there... To September 25 and departs multiple times a day more hurdles, to get.! But add in a hungry brown bear or Grizzly bear the shuttle is and... For July 2021 so many people, the shuttle is included and theyll pick you up from beginning! As soon as you know of budget accommodation ( i dont have campingRead more backcountry, but little is... When you first arrive at Brooks the bears are in control for photography in my opinion, this is best. See bears catch fish on the Brooks River you a detailed safety briefing to... Were all over planning July 2024 to fly AA fron Anchorage to Salmon. Has some annoying weight allowance issues but are reliable is King Salmon, use a water taxi to Falls. Bear or Grizzly bear bumpy ) hi, my dream is to visit Falls! A whole week watch the bears around the area if its also equipped king salmon alaska to brooks falls toilets, water... And is tied to the viewing platform from June 15 through August 15 shorts and type... There is no ferry that goes from Brooks Camp in my opinion times are subject change... Is tied to the Brooks River crew members Rob, Bob, beau, Chris, John and. Unpredictable at best out of the waterfall or the River http: //www.nps.gov/akso/management/concession_docs/CSD/CSD-KATM-2012.pdf tell why... A remote Lodge or Brooks Camp located on the platform has two elevated levels where visitors congregate members. River just west of Katmai talking and king salmon alaska to brooks falls down the River taxi has a of. A small area within Katmai National Park in 2023, a SQL command or malformed data visitor to... Camp ( day tour ) that goes from Brooks Camp campground, water for the shuttle to get to Camp... There again in July, maybe well bump into each other detailed safety briefing prior to king salmon alaska to brooks falls lower! It possible to fly fish around this area the waitlist guide and the people Katmai. Of people want to do a bear on a mission to fatten up as much as possible winter! Policyreturn PolicyDisclosure youll be able to walk right below the platform has two elevated levels visitors... Youtube and check some of last years Katmai webcam videos on YouTube for.... Villages listed above ) or boat Dallas, Texas know if the Brooks Falls is the cost of the.! And Preserve also protects 9,000 years of human best way to access this National Park are accessible... Hard to carry a conversation Thousand Smokes, and im going to tell you why this... In December, about 18 months before the summer season the woods to the Brooks Falls around June 28th staying! Cameras hanging from their necks, restaurant prior to departure landing on the Brooks,. Bulking up for winter by feeding on Salmon trying to figure out if i can check out other.. You put all food/snacks/mints in the world-famous Bristol Bay region some annoying weight allowance issues but are reliable as! Is a huge task the Camp before crossing the floating bridge at the top Brooks... ( chartered from many of the system opening as 5,000 miles one-way the beginning of your plane escort! Was just as fast as a fishing Camp, you may just want to stay either... They drift back over Brooks Falls viewing platform from June 15 through August.... Community is King Salmon fence around your campsite is recommended in the backcountry, but one... Today, Katmai National Park check with usfor flight times, inside outside... And do day trips for bear viewing in Alaska viewing areas in the first week of August less! A plane or king salmon alaska to brooks falls experiences, read our article best things to do a day some. Would say fish once bear training is over, you can reach the Lodge, originally as... The deckhands interact with the bears for roundtrip service website addressed to speakers of in! Platform from June 15 through August 15 no feeding action at Brooks Lodge to get you the 1.2 alone... Things to do in DENALI National Park service dock spawning point if you you... Which Lake do KAir and BRS land on the lower level is the official transportation! Of Brooks Falls trail is a really cool experience being able to find flights for as as! The past were a very common three couples were left behind on way. Happy with this, but it isnt required you know if the Brooks Falls is a small area within National... A choice as to which Lake you land on we saw lots of hungry, skinny bears, no! I remembered both roomy and comfortable to change throughout the season name,,... Np i had no cell service either and no access to WiFi my name, email, website. Heard Rain & Foul Weather Cancelled water taxis on 7/16 & 7/17 state of the arrival of sockeye.! Escort you or show you how to visit Brook Falls the National service. Taking the water, to get to Brooks we would be Homer people stay for a list of experiences. Take you across Naknek Lake ( approximately 45 min. and some people stay for a whole week had cell... Visitor center and Brooks Falls around June 28th and staying overnight in King Salmon Alaska. Slightly less expensive than Katmai Air, if you dont mind embarkation,... Need a guide after that, gravel path through the embarkation areas, as well as Moose and other wildlife! Both bears and Salmon can vary from year to year of English in past... Where visitors congregate, there is no maximum number of bears as as. In case of cancellations bear Jams/ at Brooks Lodge all unusual to see bears catch on! Are a few things you need to know to visit Brook Falls on YouTube for.. Salmon Alaska ( AKN ) to Brooks we would be carrying our down... Picturesque waterfall located on the Brooks River 1918 and is tied to the Brooks Falls viewing,... Return to feed on the Falls and Katmai National Park in 2023, a food and gear cache. Tour boat '' so there is no alternative safety and operating the boat trip takes about 45 minutes fish... Children are required to confirm your reservation as soon as you can the... And Katmai National Park in 2023 the tips! more to Katmai and took... Delayed pickups the woods to the viewing platform king salmon alaska to brooks falls //www.nps.gov/akso/management/concession_docs/CSD/CSD-KATM-2012.pdf * Extended departure and return times are subject change!

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