Brooks Lodge Bear Viewing

How can you get more time watching bears at the famous Brooks River Falls? It’s simple: base out of the only lodge close to this prime bear-viewing spot: Katmailand’s Brooks Lodge. Many visitors stop in for a drink or a bite to eat, but the lodge also offers its own bear-viewing tours, which are less expensive than most—and give you more time at the park. And because staffers here know the area so well, they can answer any questions or help with travel arrangements in case of weather delays.

Saving Time & Money

On single or multi-day bear-viewing trips with Brooks Lodge, you’ll take a commercial flight from Anchorage to King Salmon, then switch to a small floatplane for a quick 20-minute flight to Brooks Camp. The commercial flight makes the trip less expensive and faster, which means you’ll have more time to watch the bears. And you still get the experience of flying with a bush pilot and landing on a lake!

After your flight, you’ll have hours to explore Katmai National Park. After a brief safety orientation, you can watch bears from several viewing platforms, join the Park Service for an interpretive program, or try your luck at rainbow trout fishing. While the lodge doesn’t provide a guide (most tours are unguided), the staff is around to help and answer any questions.

Take a Break at the Lodge

If you get hungry or need a break, you’re welcome at the lodge—an operation that’s been here since 1950. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets, which include steaming hot soups and fresh salads. There’s also a bar and comfy lobby. You can even spot bears from the front porch.

If you want to go fishing, Brooks Lodge offers guiding fishing services on the Brooks River, one of the world’s best spots to cast for rainbow trout. They can also arrange for boat trips or flights to remote destinations within the park.