Established in 1918, Katmai National Park was originally meant to protect the volcanically devastated region surrounding Novarupta and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. Today the National Park and Preserve serves as a major habitat for both salmon and the thousands of grizzly bears that feed on them.
Bears are so common in Katmai that tourists are required to attend a brief bear safety talk outlining park regulations when they arrive at Brooks Camp. Brooks Falls is one of the most famous sights in Katmai National Park, providing visitors with an incredible opportunity to watch a host of grizzly bears fish from the nearby Brooks Falls Platform. It’s not unusual to see more than 25 bears in the falls at once during the peak season.
With the density of bears so close to park amenities, human-bear encounters are fairly common. Sometimes the bears manage to sneak up on and surprise the visitors themselves, as we see in the video below.
“I was hiking to Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park when I heard loud footsteps coming down the trail. I looked up and saw two bears running straight for us! We jumped off the path and the first bear ran past us, shortly followed by the second bear, who was chasing him. They completely ignored us but it was still quite a rush.“
Keeping bear safety in the front of the mind is incredibly necessary to staying safe in Katmai. Approaching within 50 yards of the animals is prohibited and tourists should never interfere with a grizzly’s activities or movements. If a bear comes within 50 yards, back away slowly to give it plenty of room. Always carry bear spray when traveling in Katmai National Park. Read more on bear safety below.
Katmai National Park Guidelines on Avoiding Bear Encounters:
Hike and Travel in Groups
Groups of four or more people are typically very safe in bear country. Groups of people are usually noisier and smellier than a single person. Therefore, bears often become aware of groups of people at greater distances, and because of their cumulative size groups of people are also passively intimidating to bears. Hiking and traveling in groups is typically the best way to increase your level of safety in bear country.
Be Alert
Katmai’s bears are mostly diurnal (active during the day) but are also active at night and can be found in all of Katmai’s habitats. Never assume you are in a “bear free” area. Be on the lookout for signs of bears and be especially wary in areas where bears may have trouble detecting you. Sometimes, you might see a bear before it is aware of you. In these situations, back away quietly the same way you came and give the bear space.
Make Noise
In areas where visibility is limited make noise to warn bears of your approach. Brown bears can react defensively if they are surprised. The human voice is the best tool to warn bears of your approach. Bears may not associate other noise makers, such as bells, with people. Please remember that you are not making noise to scare bears away, only to warn them of your approach. Once a bear is aware of your presence it is usually not necessary to make extra noise.
Do Not Approach Bears
You should always avoid interfering with bear movement or foraging activities. If a bear reacts to your presence you are too close. Bears are creatures of habit and habitually use the same travel routes. Many close encounters can be avoided if you move out of a bear’s line of travel before it is close. Additionally, people are prohibited from approaching bears within 50 yards or remaining within 50 yards of a bear using a concentrated food source including, but not limited to, animal carcasses, spawning salmon, and other feeding areas.
Steer Clear of Places with Food that Attract Bears
Salmon streams, mud flats with clams, and sedge meadows are areas that attract bears and consequently people who want to watch them. Anglers are also attracted to streams where salmon are actively spawning.
Since most people visit Katmai to either see bears or fish in streams where bear encounters are likely, it can be difficult to stay clear of areas with food that attract bears. However, please consider fishing when bears are not at peak numbers (like on the Brooks River in June and August) and/or viewing bears at a distance, not, for example, from the middle of a sedge meadow or a salmon stream.