Field Notes

The Katmai B&B Blog

Firsthand guides to Brooks Falls and Katmai National Park, when to go, how to get there, and what to expect, from the people who run the trips.

Looking for current conditions? See the Bear Reports →

June 24, 2026

Should You Overnight in King Salmon Before Brooks Falls?

Why a buffer night in town is the cheapest insurance against the fog.

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June 16, 2026

Do You Need a Permit to Visit Brooks Falls?

Day visits, camping, and Brooks Lodge - what actually needs a reservation.

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June 10, 2026

Brooks Falls Day Trip from Anchorage: What It's Really Like

The honest hour-by-hour, the cost, and when basing in King Salmon wins.

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June 2, 2026

Floatplane vs Water Taxi to Brooks Falls

Times, costs, weather, and the one reason we use both.

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May 20, 2026

Is Brooks Falls Safe? Bears, Platforms & Bear School

How bear school, the platforms, and rangers keep visitors safe.

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May 12, 2026

What to Pack for a Day at Brooks Falls

Layers, rain gear, a head net, and beating the floatplane weight limit.

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June 22, 2026

Photographing the Bears at Brooks Falls

Where to stand, what to bring, and the platform rules, from someone who shoots the falls.

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June 22, 2026

Fat Bear Week Explained, and How to See Them in Person

What Fat Bear Week is, and how to be there when the bears are at their biggest.

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June 22, 2026

The Bears You Watch on the Cam, and How to Visit Them in Person

You watch them on the live cam, here's how to stand on the platform with them.

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June 22, 2026

Is Brooks Falls Worth It? An Honest Answer

A straight answer from a King Salmon local on whether the trip is worth it.

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June 19, 2026

Katmai vs. Lake Clark for Bear Viewing: How to Choose

Two of Alaska's great bear destinations, compared honestly, how to choose.

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June 19, 2026

July vs. September at Brooks Falls: Which Month Is Right for You?

One is peak bears on the falls, the other is fat bears and fewer people. How to choose.

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June 19, 2026

Day Trip vs. Multi-Day: The 3 Ways to See Brooks Falls

An Anchorage day trip, a DIY multi-day, or a handled package, the honest breakdown of each.

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June 19, 2026

Can't Get a Brooks Lodge Reservation? How to See the Falls Anyway

Couldn't get a Brooks Lodge room? You haven't lost your trip, just a bed. Here's how.

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June 18, 2026

The Ultimate Guide to King Salmon Alaska: Tips from a King Salmon Local

Everything you need to know about visiting King Salmon, how to get there, lodging, dining, and things to do.

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May 1, 2026

How to Get from King Salmon to Brooks Falls

There are no roads into Katmai. Here's the flights and a crossing, step by step, start to finish.

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December 9, 2025

An in-depth Guide To the Best Time to See Bears at Brooks Falls

The best time is late June through September. A month-by-month guide to salmon runs, bear numbers, and weather.

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January 2, 2025

When to Book Your Alaska Adventure: Tips for Planning the Perfect Trip

How far ahead to book comes down to two things. Here's the simple timeline, and why Katmai fills 12–18 months out.

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