Brooks Falls Bear Viewing
BROOKS FALLS BEARS
Brooks Falls is a world-renowned bear sanctuary nestled in the heart of Katmai National Park. Brooks River is home to one of the best natural runs of Sockeye/Red and Coho/Silver salmon in the state! This draws bears from miles away to feed on high protein fish and fatten up for a long winter's nap. This provides us with a viewing experience like no other. Take a spectacular floatplane ride from Homer to the beaches of Naknek or Brooks Lake (depending on wind) and start your phot safari with a quick visit to the Park Ranger Station located on the edge of Naknek Lake. After a short safety briefing from your friendly park ranger, explore the boardwalks and trails while fully immersed in the bear's natural habitat. Walk right up to the falls where, at most times, there are more than half a dozen bears actively feeding! Check out the below link for a live feed video of the Bears!
Here's what you can expect:
- Freedom to move through the park at your own pace after safety briefing
- Beautiful boardwalk and trails experience
- See the largest Coastal Brown Bears on earth walking on the beach, along the trails, and at the Falls
- Chasing spawning salmon in the lake and river
- Bears fighting over prime fishing spots
- Momma bears teaching cubs how to fish
- Turbo Planes = arrive ahead of the crowds to the viewing platform!
- Faster, safer, and more comfortable planes with intercom systems and noise canceling headsets (talk to the pilot and each other!)
- Relax and grab a sandwich at the Lodge
- Weather dependant - see the Valley of 10,000 Smokes on the way home
- Trip Length: 7-8 Hours
- Capacity: Up to 15 Seats
- Trip Price: $1395 per person (includes taxes, park fees, fuel surcharge) *3% processing fee will be applied to all credit card payments. Wire transfers and checks accepted.
aBout Katmai National Park
Katmai National Park and Preserve is located across from Kodiak Island and encompasses over 4 million acres. Home to the Valley of 10,000 Smokes, this park provides an unparalleled experience for its visitors to observe the aftermath of volcanic eruptions. Katmai is also home to Hallo Bay. This oceanside area is best described as a sanctuary within a park. A few of the signature attributes of Hallo Bay are meadows filled with wildflowers, snowcapped mountains, glacier-fed creeks, and lots of bears!
Within Katmai Park lies the world-famous Brooks Falls. Fly via floatplane to Naknek Lake where you’ll meet skilled Park Rangers and begin an extraordinary tour of Brooks Falls. During the height of salmon season, it is possible to see 20 or more brown bears feeding in the river only a few feet from the observation platforms.
Fat Bear Week at Brooks Falls!
Brooks Falls is world-renowned for its Fat Bear Week. Every year bears eat an excess of salmon in preparation for winter. This turns them from Springtime scrawny to Falltime roly-poly!
Fat Bear Week was founded as Fat Bear Tuesday by former park ranger Mike Fitz in 2014. He came up with the idea after noting the interest in online livestreams of the bears feeding at the river. Visitors to the national park were asked to review before and after photos of a number of the park's bears and to vote for the fattest bear in a single-elimination tournament. In 2015, the tournament went digital and was extended to a week.
2023 participants in voting: 1.3 million
This Year's winner was 128 Grazer! She took the crown with a dominant performance.
Call us today to book your adventure!
