It’s no secret that here at Bear Trail Lodge we have an itch for adventure, offering fishing experiences like no other. If you’re looking to see more of Alaska’s wildlife, consider visiting Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park and Preserve. Not only are the 6-foot waterfalls beautiful, but they also have some frequent visitors: brown bears! This mile and a half stretch of river and waterfalls is a hot spot for these majestic creatures. People come near and far to observe brown bears at Brooks Falls — and you can too!
Wildlife at Katmai National Park
Bear Trail Lodge is only 10 miles from the edge of Katmai National Park and 45 miles from Brooks Falls. The park is home to about 2,200 brown bears. In fact, it is estimated that more bears than people live on the Alaska Peninsula! Because of the undisturbed wilderness that Katmai National Park maintains, scientists have the ability to study bears in their natural habitat. At Brooks Falls, visitors from around the world can catch a glimpse of them as well.
What to Expect When Visiting
Most people visit Brooks Camp to view brown bears, which is located at the mouth of the Brooks River. When visitors arrive, they are given a bear safety talk to review park regulations and ensure safety. Our fishing guides at Bear Trail Lodge are part of the elite Brooks River Guide Program, so if you’re visiting the falls as a guest of the lodge, your guide is authorized to brief you on bear/fishing protocol prior to arrival at the park, thus cutting down on the wait time for the bear safety talk.
While at Brooks Camp, visitors can also enjoy hiking in the area. However, many people visit Brooks Camp to watch beautiful brown bears catch salmon at the falls!
Bear Viewing at Brooks Falls
From mid-spring until mid-fall, you will likely see Alaskan brown bears gathering around Brooks Falls, particularly in July and September. Why do they gather around the waterfalls? To fish for salmon, of course! Brown bears wait in anticipation to catch leaping salmon as they fly out of the water. In fact, from late June to mid-July, sockeye salmon are prevalent, so many male bears can be seen competing for a catch. As many as 25 bears have been spotted fishing at the falls at once! The best part is that you can see it for yourself from the Brooks Falls Wildlife Viewing Platform. Even once your trip is over, you can still check in on the brown bears via a webcam!
If you want to surround yourself in the wonderful wildlife that Alaska has to offer, one of the best places to do so is at Brooks Falls. When we’re working with you to plan your ultimate Alaskan adventure at Bear Trail Lodge, be sure to let us know if you want Brooks Falls on your itinerary!
Bear Trail Lodge is a world-class fishing lodge in King Salmon, Alaska. Our all-inclusive packages range from 2-day to 7-day adventures. Depending on the type of fish you want to catch, we can recommend the perfect time of year for your visit. Schedule your Alaskan fly fishing trip at Bear Trail Lodge today!