Alaska Excursions

Alaska Excursions

Wide range of glorious day trips throughout Southcentral Alaska.

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Katmai National Park and Preserve

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More on Other national parks

Alaska's other national parks

In addition to the four major national parks, Alaska boasts four other national parks, two national historical parks and four national monuments.

Alaska's national monuments

Alaska has four national monuments. All of them are off the road system.

Kobuk Valley National Park

The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes are Kobuk Valley National Park's surprise feature. Inland between Ambler and Noorvik along the Kobuk River, the crescent-shaped dunes of sand move back and forth across the ancient land.

Gates of the Arctic National Park

When explorer Robert Marshall came to this part of the Brooks Range, the northernmost mountains in the country, he saw the Koyukuk River pouring out between Boreal Mountain and Frigid Crags and called them the "Gates of the Arctic." When the park was created in 1980, the name was made permanent.

Lake Clark National Park

The Tlikakila River, a National Wild And Scenic River, takes a sharp horse shoe bend just before it empties into Little Lake Clark on the North East end of Lake Clark in Lake Clark National Park.

Glacier-topped volcanoes, broad lakes, cliffs and coastline make up the wild country that is Lake Clark National Park and Preserve.

Sitka National Historical Park

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

Katmai National Park and Preserve

Visitors go to see grizzlies and site of volcanic blast

Alaska.com

Foul-weathered Katmai National Park and Preserve has two hot-blooded attractions -- big brown bears and volcanoes.

This park in the Aleutian Range is known worldwide for its bears, which gather at Brooks Falls each July and September to grab red salmon that have migrated up the Naknek River and Naknek Lake to spawn.

In October 2003, the park gained worldwide notoriety for being the location where bear enthusiasts Timothy Treadwell and Amie Huguenard were killed by bears.

What is now Katmai first gained attention in 1912 when an enormous volcanic eruption and resulting ashfall created the Valley of 10,000 Smokes.

Katmai National Park and Preserve covers 6,250 square miles near the top of the Alaska Peninsula west of Cook Inlet.

Near King Salmon, the Alaska Peninsula caribou herd may be found. Walrus and 10 other marine mammal species live along the coast. About 190 species of birds live in the area year-round or migrate through. North of Katmai is another famous bear-viewing spot, McNeil River State Game Sanctuary, which allows 10 people a day (chosen by lottery) to watch brown bears feed.

Access

Transportation is by air, generally by floatplane from Anchorage or a Kenai Peninsula airport or by commercial airliner to King Salmon and then by floatplane or powerboat to Brooks Camp in the middle of the park. No road reaches the park.

Rooms and dining are available at Brooks Lodge and other lodges.

Activities

Kayaking is popular, with boaters making a 75- to 95-mile loop involving Naknek Lake's North Arm, Lake Grosvenor, the Savonoski River and back through Naknek Lake's Iliuk Arm.

Fishing is best in July and September for red, or sockeye, salmon.

Viewing stands let visitors watch brown bears snap salmon out of the river.

Camping

Hikers can take off about anywhere in the park but may not camp within five miles of Brooks Camp, and they are expected to practice bear safety. A shuttle bus carries hikers the 23 miles to the Valley of 10,000 Smokes.

Weather

The climate is wet and cool. The average July low-high temperature range at nearby King Salmon is 46 to 63.

The record low in winter is 56 below.