Katmai National Park
June 9-12, 2026
Day 1
Bear park, but I have no good bear pics, only a snippet from a video at the end! I took this trip with a guide service that also included Aniakchak National Monument as a multi-day hiking adventure. Most of the day was traveling by small plane to Brooks Lodge and then bear school. As we were setting up tents, we had a subadult (354) walk off the beach and then follow a path along the electric fence just outside the campground. Even though this bear was a youngster, it was impressively big and completely chill with people. After settling in, we walked to the falls and then Brooks Lake. Lots of snowshoe hares, mergansers and a porcupine were spotted but no more bears. I was really surprised at how many fishermen flock to the river for catch/release of large trout.
Day 2
I had an early morning walk on the beach until our group was hiking up Dumpling mountain. I made it past the observation area when my calf muscle twinged and threatened me with pain if I did not stop. Most of my group are much faster hikers than I am but I had to turn around or risk injury early in the trip. One of the guides went with me and we eventually took a long walk around the point on Naknek lake. There was a lot of bear scat including baby bear poop. Hanging out on the beach in the afternoon, I assembled an art project with pumice, driftwood and fish heads (from last season). The pumice came in many colors and floated on the water.
Day 3
My morning walk on the beach included lots of birds such as mergansers, yellow legs and golden eye. We were supposed to take a bus ride and hike in Valley of 10,000 smokes but the river crossing was washed out in the winter, so it was cancelled. We got canoes and kayaks for a paddle out to a narrows section of Naknek lake. I think I will stick with kayaking in the future as I was not overly fond of the canoe. The paddle out was fine, but the wind turned on our way back making it rather difficult and turbulent. There was some boat switching and a lost cell phone among members of our group. I spent the afternoon at the falls talking to a ranger, wandering other lakes with a beaver lodge, chatting with ladies fishing for pike and spotting an adult bear on the beach. We were just finishing dinner at the lodge when an older lady fell and needed medical help. Some rude fishermen at the next table continued eating while this woman was bleeding on the floor next to them. I suggested they move to our table to give her room which they begrudgingly did.
Day 4
The morning started off perfectly clear and calm with reflections on the lake. I got up early and used my shower token for a quick clean as we were heading to a wilderness area, or so I thought. By the time the planes were coming to get us, the wind was crazy and could not land on Naknek lake. We had to shuttle up to Brooks lake for pickup. They flew us to King Salmon where the wind was getting worse to the point that the float planes could not leave. We ended up getting stuck at a campground in King Salmon for two nights until the winds were calm enough to fly to Aniakchak. This allowed time to rinse some clothes out, walk about and take another shower. The group shrunk as our Columbian couple decided to leave us and go back to Anchorage. The lady made us delicious cinnamon rolls as a parting gift.
For more info: Katmai National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)
