Katmai National Park and Preserve

Katmai National Park and Preserve

Katmai National Park and Preserve

Location: King Salmon, AK
Length: about 290 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Features: brown bears, hiking, backpacking, camping, backcountry skiing, fishing, kayaking, boat tours, and interpretive programs

About the Katmai National Park and Preserve

Katmai National Park and Preserve is almost the size of a state with a land area of 4.09 million acres. It’s located across from Kodiak Island and around 290 miles southwest from Anchorage, Alaska. In it is Mt. Katmai, a composite volcano of 10 km diameter. The crater lake is at 4,220 feet elevation. Part of it’s history is the 1912 major eruption of Novarupta, which is another volcano located in the park area. The eruption caused the formation of the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. It’s one of the most famous sites in the park. The valley is a long stretch of pyroclastic flow that spans up to 40 square miles area. The cracks goes to a depth of 100 up to 700 foot. This area is rich in wildlife including the sockeye and brown bears abundant in the state. The whole region of Katmai is home to the world’s largest protected population of brown bear. The abundance of sockeye is also what attracts the brown bears to the park and adjacent areas.

Top 3 Adventure Hacks

1) Hunting banned

Most of the national park is a designated wilderness area where all hunting is banned.

2) Brown bears

Protected brown bears are aplenty in this park. Apply caution and respect wildlife in the area.

3) Advance camping skills

If you plan to explore the backcountry, you need to have camping experience and the rights tools.