A female coastal brown bear with cubs in Hallo Bay in Katmai National Park in Alaska.

4 Best Gateway Towns To Katmai National Park

When you picture Alaska, what comes to mind? If expansive landscapes featuring iconic natural phenomena, gorgeous glaciers, captivating creatures, and mesmerizing Northern Lights displays in certain regions sound incredible to you, welcome to The Last Frontier. Discover some of the most spectacular scenery in the southwest with a trip to Katmai National Park and Preserve. One of the best national parks for bear sightings, this natural wonder boasts distinct volcanoes, rugged coastlines, stunning waterways, and, of course, impressive brown bears. Do not wait to get your adventure started in any of the four best gateway towns to Katmai National Park.

King Salmon

Mother brown bear and two cubs fish at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, Alaska.

The closest town to Katmai, King Salmon, is a convenient launch point for the park. Embark on a breathtaking 45-minute cruise across Naknek Lake via Katmai Water Taxi Services. You will arrive at Brooks Camp, the most popular destination in Katmai. This is an extraordinary spot for hiking, fishing, and observing Alaskan brown bears, for which the park is renowned.

King Salmon Airport in King Salmon, Alaska. Image credit: J. Stephen Conn via Flickr.com.

Once you get off the boat, head to the Visitor Center to attend Bear School, where essential information, including how to stay safe among bears, will be covered. If you prefer to fly, there are three options for air taxi operators taking you to your destination: Trygg Air, Katmai Air, and Branch River Air. Alternatively, you could book your trip directly through Katmai Expeditions, an addition to Katmai B&B, which offers cozy accommodations with lakefront cabins in King Salmon. Wild Alaska Salmon & Seafood Market is also nearby. Purchase wild-caught Sockeye and King Salmon directly from the experienced fisherman, Captain Tony, or find other fresh fish that have been responsibly sourced and inspected.

Homer

Another common launch point to the park, Homer is a stunning small town on the shores of Cook Inlet. A quick flight from here will take you to Brooks Falls. After learning bear etiquette from the rangers, a one-mile walk will take you to the viewing platform to see the world-famous salmon run (season dependent). There are several options for flying from Homer, making this one of the best gateway towns to Katmai National Park. You can choose between landing on the beach via wheel plane, landing on the water via floatplane, or either beach or grass via helicopter, with jaw-dropping 180-degree views from the front.

People hiking the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes in the Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska.

Enjoy exceptional bear viewing tours with Emerald Air, which has been in service for over 30 years. Prepare to soar past steaming volcanoes, mesmerizing glaciers, and magnificent mountains before you land in Hallo Bay/Moraine Creek. Regarding accommodations, stay in a serene setting overlooking an Alaskan beach at the Ocean Shores Hotel. Delicious seafood, steaks, and spirits are served at Kannery Grill, a wonderful spot for enjoying fresh fish while taking in the views of Kachemak Bay and the mountains.

Kodiak

Luckily for visitors, Alaska's oldest established town is also one of the most beautiful. Kodiak, the hub of Kodiak Island, is among Katmai's top gateway towns. Founded by Russian settlers in 1792, this scenic spot on Chiniak Bay is now one of the largest fishing ports in the United States, with many fish processing plants.

A wild bald eagle patrols the coast of Hallo Bay for fish in Katmai National Park in Alaska.

From June through September, you can take a remarkable 45-minute flight across the Shekilof Straits with The Katmai Tour. Expect to arrive in either Hallo Bay or Geographic Bay, depending on where bears are more prevalent that day. Regarding accommodations, Shelikof Lodge has 38 guest rooms in downtown Kodiak, with free Wi-Fi, a cozy lounge, and airport shuttle service. You can try scrumptious traditional and contemporary dishes made with locally sourced Alaskan-grown products at Nuniaq, a Native-woman-owned restaurant in the heart of town.

Dillingham

A significant commercial fishing port on F, Dillingham, otherwise known as Curyung, offers remarkable trout and salmon sportfishing opportunities, the chance to view magnificent wildlife, and to admire serene lakes and rivers. Plus, this is another location from which you can access Katmai. One option is to fly to King Salmon or the larger city of Anchorage and board a flight to Brooks Camp. Alternatively, companies like Bay Air Inc. offer direct flights from Dillingham to Brooks Camp.

Wolf standing and yawning on the road to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, Katmai National Park, Alaska.

From July 15th to August 1st, day trips are offered for six people, departing from 10 AM and returning at 6 PM. Rangers will guide you to the observation platforms to see bears fishing for salmon in the stream. Bear Paw Inn is a great place within walking distance of the water, offering breakfast, car rentals, and complimentary airport pickup. Bayside Diner is another option for breakfast, lunch, or an early dinner, serving homestyle classic American comfort food with friendly service.

Alaska Towns That Locals LoveIf you want to know the Alaska cherished by those who live its seasons year-round, look to these smaller hubs.

Takeaways

A gem in the remote Alaskan wilderness, it is no wonder Katmai is so beautiful. Grab your camera and prepare to encounter some of the most extraordinary scenery and fascinating wildlife experiences of your life! However, with no roads connecting to this picturesque national park and preserve, the options for travel are quite specific. From King Salmon to Dillingham, these are the four best gateway towns to Katmai National Park, offering direct flight or boat options with spectacular scenery and unparalleled wildlife viewing opportunities.

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