Katmai National Park and Preserve

Novarupta volcano.

A Brooks bear feasts on sockeye salmon.

A dormant fumarole near Mile 5 in the preserve.

Katmai was created to preserve evidence of the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century. Novarupta volcano exploded in June of 1912 and filled an entire valley full of ash that remained hot enough to boil water for decades afterwards. The escaping steam formed a geothermal wonderland aptly named, The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes.

Today, the "smokes" have cooled, but the area still has five volcanoes that are considered

active. Katmai remains geologically active and in September of 2006, Fourpeaked Mountain became Fourpeaked Volcano after a dormancy period of 10,000 years.

Today, Katmai has become more famous for bear-viewing than for its volcanic wonders, as visitors come from all around the world to view brown bears. The Katmai coast and Brooks River are two of the best places to view bears. Bears gather along the coastal sedge meadows in June to graze until salmon begin arriving from the ocean. In July and again in September, brown bears gather at Brooks River to feast upon sockeye salmon. More than 80 individual adult bears were identified at Brooks River in July of 2007.

Brooks Camp, operated from June 1 thru the night of September 17, provides a number of services for visitors including lodging, camping, bear viewing platforms, and other services. Visitors must attend a mandatory “Bear Etiquette Orientation Talk” at the Brooks Camp Visitor Center immediately upon arrival to the Brooks River. This is a short 15-minute program and is designed to ensure that all visitors learn how to safely enjoy the unique bear viewing experience.

Viewing platforms are provided to allow unmatched bear viewing along the river. The Brooks Falls platform is limited to a maximum of 40 visitors at a time and when the capacity is reached, each visitor will be allowed one hour of viewing time before being asked to sign up on the waiting list to return to the falls.

Brooks Falls is closed nightly from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. to allow bears a chance to use the area while no visitors are present.

The Brooks Camp Campground is operated from June 1 through Sept. 17 and includes an electric fence, potable water, vault toilets, cooking shelters, food and gear storage lockers, and one of the best campground views around.

The campground can hold a maximum of 60 campers. July is the busiest month at Brooks. Reservations may be made through www.recreation.gov.