Katmai National Monument was created in 1918 to preserve the famed Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a spectacular forty square mile, 100 to 700 foot deep ash flow deposited by Novarupta Volcano. A National Park & Preserve since 1980, today Katmai is still famous for volcanoes, but also for brown bears, pristine waterways with abundant fish, remote wilderness, and a rugged coastline.

Katmai National Park
P.O. Box 7, King Salmon, Alaska 99613;
907-246-3305; NPS Website;

Be prepared for stormy weather and some sunshine. Summer daytime temperatures range from about mid–50s to mid–60s degrees Fahrenheit; the average summer low is 44 degrees Fahrenheit. Strong winds and sudden gusts—williwaws—frequently sweep the area, occassionally at speeds up to 50 to 60 miles per hour. Skies are clear about 20% of the summer. Light rain can last for days.

Visitors to Brooks Camp observe bear behavior from ideally-situated viewing platforms. Situated at the mouth of the Brooks River, along the shore of Naknek Lake (the largest lake within any unit of the National Park System), Brooks Camp attracts visitors of all kinds to view brown bears, enjoy world-class sportfishing, and learn about the long human history of the area.

Also a starting point for many backcountry adventures, daily naturalist-led/concessioner-operated bus tours from Brooks Camp provide easy access to the geologic splendors of the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, site of the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century.

Anchorage Alaska Deluxe Tour This 10-hour full day tour package starts with a deluxe city tour of Anchorage, including a visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Then it's an unforgettable cruise to the face of Portage Glacier. If that's not enough for you, you will also get to visit the Alyeska Ski Resort.

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