Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park - All You Need to Know
Two brown bears catching fish at the top of Brooks Falls.
You may have seen the iconic photo of a large brown bear standing at the edge of a waterfall, waiting for a plump salmon to leap into its mouth. This image frequently appears on postcards, travel magazines, posters, and more. Now, you can stop imagining this scene because Brooks Falls is a destination that you can easily visit during your trip to Alaska! Continue reading ot discover why you should visit, how to get there, when to go, and everything else you need to know about visiting Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park.
Katmai National Park and Preserve is a large national park located on the Alaska Peninsula. Within this park is Brooks Camp, a small area that serves as a hub for transportation, where water and air taxis transport passengers. Brooks Camp features a campground, overnight loding, a small cafe and shop, as well as a ranger station. The main attraction in this area is Brooks Falls, the prominent waterfall located within Brooks Camp.
Where is Brooks Falls?
Brooks Falls is a beautiful waterfall located on the Brooks River in Katmai National Park and Preserve. This national park is situated in a remote area of Alaska, making air or water transportation the only way to reach it. There are no roads connecting this part of Alaska, so driving to Brooks Falls is not possible.
Elizabeth and Damian at Brooks Camp
Damian on the enclosed boardwalk.
About Katmai National Park
Katmai National Park and Preserve is situated on the Alaska Peninsula, approximately 300 miles southwest of Anchorage. The park’s history dates back to 1918 and is closely tied to the Great Eruption that occurred in 1912. This eruption of the Novarupta Volcano was the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century. It created the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, which visitors can easily explore through a bus tour within the park.
There is more to Katmai National Park than just Brooks Falls. Katmai is the fourth largest National Park in the United States, covering over 4.3 million acres of land. The park is home to over 2000 brown bears and other wildlife, including caribou, moose, and wolves.
Katmai also has a long history. Native Alaskans have inhabited this region for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence indicates that people have lived in the area for 6,000 to 9,000 years.
It is also important to note that before the Novarupta eruption, there were four year round villages in the area, along with several thousand seasonal camps. Unfortunately, the ash that fell after the eruption forced the inhabitants of Savonoska, Katmai, Kukak, and Kaguyak to evacuate.
Map from National Park Service
A brown bear strolling beneath a viewing platform.
Why is Brooks Falls famous?
Brooks Falls is one of the best places in the world to safely observe brown bears up close. During the summer, many bears gather at the Brooks River, drawn by the arrival of sockeye salmon. The waterfall creates a natural barrier for the fish, causing a large number of salmon to congregate in a relatively small area. This is advantageous for the bears, as it allows them to easily find food without having to exert much effort.
The abundant excess of food allows several brown bears, sometimes a dozen or even a few dozen, to gather and feed in one location. This large concentration of bears makes Brooks Falls an appealing destination for photographers and visitors from around the world. The unique spectacle that occurs at Brooks Fall is truly remarkable.
The Best Ways to Get to Brooks Falls
To reach Brooks Falls, you must venture off the beaten path. However, Brooks Falls is quite accessible if you allocate enough time and have a decent budget. There are currently two main ways to get to Brooks Falls:
Fly from Anchorage or Homer to Brooks Camp (Day Tour)
This option is ideal for those with limited time to explore Alaska. It is also one of the simplest solutions, as it doesn’t require additional transfers. However, the downside is the cost. A one-day trip to Brooks Falls and back currently ranges from $1,000 to $1,500 per person, depending on the company, duration of the trip, and departure location. Keep in mind that trips from Anchorage take longer because they involve a much longer flight to Katmai National Park compared to the departures from Homer. The flight from Anchorage typically takes about two and a half hours, while the flight from Homer is only one and a half hours.
Sample cost of flights from Anchorage to Brooks Falls in 2025:
Fly Rusts: $1345 (plus taxes and fees)
Sample cost of flights from Homer to Brooks Falls in 2025:
Alaska Bear Adventures:: $1395 (plus taxes and fees)
Larger groups can easily charter a small plane to fly to Brooks Falls. Most companies now offer these services, but we recommend booking this long in advance. 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.
With day trips to Brooks Falls, one important aspect to consider is the potential for weather-related cancellations, which are not uncommon in Alaska. In the event that is a fligth is canceled to due adverse weather conditons, guests typically have two options: they can choose to reschedule their flight (usually for the next day) or receive a full refund for their unused services.
Fly with Alaska Airlines to King Salmon and take a water taxi
If you’re looking to save some money and possibly improve your chances of reaching Brooks Falls despite unpredictable weather, consider flying Alaska Airlines from Anchorage to King Salmon. From there, you can take a water taxi to Brooks Camp. This option can sometimes help you navigate around bad weather conditions
Water taxi companies provide transpotation for passengers from King Salmon Airport to Brooks Camp, with a travel time of just 45 minutes. These water taxis operate throughout the day during teh summer. In 2025, the cost for a round trip water taxi ticket is $550 (not including taxes and fees).
You can also get to Brooks Camp from King Salmon by air taxi.
Our journey from Homer to Katmai National Park aboard a scenic float plane
Float planes are stationed at Brooks Camp, with a water taxi visible in the background.
How do you move around Brooks Camp?
Getting around Brooks Camp is relatively easy, primarily because the employees and national park volunteers are exceptionally helpful. Upon your arrival at the lake, the pilot of your plane will escort you to Brooks Camp or tell you how to get there. Before you head out to see the bears, there are a few important things you need to take care of.
All visitors to Brooks Camp are required to attend a brief presentation on park safety, where park rangers will share important information on safe travel within the park. Following their guidelines significantly lowers the risk of encountering problems. After the presentation, visitors must store all food items in a designated locker. Additionally, there is an area for leaving unncecessary items.
Please note that this is the only location with toilet facilities, so be sure to use them before heading out on the trail!
There are several trails in Brooks Camp, and there’s a good chance of coming face-to-face with bears on each of them, so it’s important to be on alert at all times. The most popular trails lead to the South Platform and the famous Brooks Fall Platform. A section of the trail is located on an elevated, gated boardwalk, which provides a great spot to watch some of the bears. After the boardwalk, the trails are open but frequently used by other visitors. If you don’t feel comfortable walking alone, it’s worth waiting for another group and tagging along.
Top Left: Food storage closet Top Right: Designated eating area with electric fence Bottom Left: Damian with Brooks Camp sign Bottom Right: Pin from park rangers received after attending informational session
We found a larger group to walk with on the Brooks Falls Trail.
Brooks Falls Trail
Brooks Falls Trail is the area's most popular trail, leading to the famous observation platform. The majority of the trail is flat. 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. Bears are regularly encountered on this trail, so following all safety rules from the beginning of your stay is necessary. The bears regularly use the same trails as visitors.
The Brooks Falls Trail is the most popular trail in the area, leading ot the famous observation platform. The majority of the trail is flat, with a section on an elevated boardwalk with lockable gates to prevent bears from entering. The trail also meanders through the forested areas. Since bears are regularly encountered on this trail, it is essential to follow all safety rules from the start of your visit. In Brooks Camp, bears frequently use the same trails as hikers.
Brooks Falls Trail is a 1.2-mile round trip (almost 2 kilometers) and typically takes between 20 and 35 minutes to hike. The hike may take significantly longer, especially if bears are present on the trail.
A gated boardwalk area with a brown bear and an angler in the distance.
Brown bears spotted near the Brooks Falls Trail.
Brooks Falls Viewing Platform
The Brooks Falls Viewing Platform is a dream destination for wildlife enthusiasts. This platform features two elevated levels where visitors gather to observe the wildlife. During certain times in the summer, especially in July, a large number of travelers visit Brooks Camp daily. Due to the high volume of visitors, park rangers monitor the platform and manage the rotation of guests. When the platform reaches capacity, the park rangers start a waiting list for additional visitors.
Typically, guests are allowed a maximum of one hour on the viewing platform. However, during the busy times, this can be reduced to 20 to 30 minutes. After this period, visitors are asked to leave, allowing others to take their place. If you feel that your time was too short, you can add your name to the waitlist for another chance to enjoy the experience.
During the peak of summer, the lines to the platform can be very long, and the wait time may exceed an hour. It is also important to note that setting up camera tripods on the platform is not allowed.
Alternatively, you can visit the Riffles Platform, which provides a different perspective on the wildlife and Brooks Falls.
Damian and Elizabeth enjoying the view from the Brooks Falls observation deck.
A brown bear catches fish as seen from the viewing platform at Brooks Falls.
Best Time to Visit Brooks Falls
The best times to visit Brooks Falls are July and September. However, it’s important to note that the number of bears present can vary depending on the arrival of salmon in the area, making it impossible to provide a specific date for optimal bear viewing. Typically, the second half of July is a good time to choose. At this time, you should expect to see the largest number of bears as well as the largest number of visitors.
June and August are typically quieter months, but in September, bears return to the waterfall to gain weight before their winter hibernation. During this time, they predominantly feed on dead fish that float down the Brooks River. By this time, the bears are impressive in size; however, there is little activity at the waterfall or the river. The bears are well-fed and do not want to waste their valuable energy.
Bears can sometimes be seen at the waterfall in the second half of June or in August. We visited Brooks Falls at the end of June 2022 and encountered many more bears than we had anticipated. Additionally, we were able to avoid the crowds, making our experience perfect.
Can you find the brown bear enjoying the scenery alongside the other guests?
Mama bear showing her cubs the art of fishing.
Where to Stay When Visiting Brooks Falls
Most visitors to Brooks Falls do not stay overnight, but they do have that option! You can choose to stay at Brooks Lodge or at the Brooks Camp Campground. However, be aware that staying at Brooks Lodge can be quite pricey; in 2025, the cost was $1150 per night for four people. Additionally, securing a spot at Brooks Lodge involves entering a lottery system, as the demand for rooms far exceeds the availability, especially during the high season.
At Brooks Camp, there is a campground enclosed by an electric fence to keep bears out. The campsite can accommodate up to 60 people. Reservations are required, so it's important to book well in advance. July is particularly busy, with spots often selling out within just a few hours after the reservation system opens. Reservations typically begin in early January.
There is also an option to camp in the backcountry outside Brooks Camp if there is no availability at the campground or the lodge. You can read more about backcountry camping here.
A brown bear relaxing in the midst of the river.
View from the Riffles Platform
How much time should you spend at Brooks Falls?
Most visitors typically spend between 5 to 7 hours at Brooks Falls, which is usually sufficient time to spot and photograph the bears. If you have the chance to stay overnight at the campground or Brooks Lodge, it’s a great opportunity worth considering. If you choose to extend your stay beyond one day, taking a guided tour to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes can also be a worthwhile experience. Ultimately, your decisions will depend on the time you have available and your budget.
Is it safe at Brooks Falls? - Bear Safety at Brooks Falls
Before visiting Brooks Falls, it’s important to understand that encounters with bears are very common in this area. Therefore, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the safety rules for traveling in bear country and, above all, to follow them. By doing so, we can all contribute to the preservation of this unique environment and ensure that future generations can admire brown bears in their natural habitats.
Bears frequently share trails with humans in Brooks Falls, so it's possible to encounter them in any location. During our visit, we saw bears right from the start of our trip—on the trails, in the river, at the waterfall, and even in front of the door of a small gift shop, where we were trapped inside for a while.
Adhering to all safety rules reduces the risk of dangerous encounters with bears. However, we must remember that we are merely guests in the natural habitat of these wild animals.
A brown bear and fishermen enjoying the river together.
A brown bear near the gift shop at Brooks Camp.
Visit Brooks Falls
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