Katmai National Park & Preserve

Home to the world’s largest protected population of brown bears, Katmai is known for incredible bear viewing. Pristine lake and river systems within Katmai provide vital spawning habitat for the most productive sockeye salmon fishery in the world. These abundant resources have supported Native peoples for thousands of years, providing clues to researchers studying the cultural development of the continent. Katmai was originally set aside to protect the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, formed in 1912 during the largest volcanic eruption of the century.