To stay at Brooks Lodge, you need to consider the high price (in 2022, it was $850 per night for four people) and luck. The park's headquarters is in King Salmon, about 290 air . Brooks Falls, the main waterfall, is located within Brooks Camp. Car, train, or group tour. Home City-Based Day Tours Anchorage Katmai and Brooks Falls Bear Viewing. With our expert Katmai region experience we know all of the bear viewing and fishing locations but the premier destination is Brooks Falls (seasonal destinations may vary). Most visitors to Brooks Falls do not stay overnight, but that doesnt mean they cant! Youll spend the next two to three hours with the walrusas close to them as safely possiblebeing amazed by their biology, and equally awed by the mountains and volcanoes that surround you. If you decide to stay more than one day, it is also worth taking a coach tour to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. Seward to Brooks Falls via bus, and plane - Rome2rio It is estimated that there are around 2,200 bears in Katmai National Park, with the total number of bears exceeding the population of people on the entire Alaska Peninsula. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. We use cookies to ensure you the best possible experience on our website. There is also an area to leave all unnecessary items. Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. However, there is an unusually high concentration of brown bears around rivers from July to September as they congregate to feed on spawning salmon, making Brooks Falls bear viewing tours the perfect trip for seasonal adventurers. Theres a good chance you have seen the iconic photo of a large brown bear standing on the edge of a waterfall, waiting for a fatty salmon to jump into its mouth. Welcome to Katmai Air. Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. June 1st - September 18th, 2023 $1350 per person Travel to Brooks Lodge and experience the world famous bear viewing at Brooks Falls. Everyone loves to watch the Brooks River bears - Anchorage Daily News We work with agents and advisors to provide the best Alaska experience for your clients. Anchorage Bear Viewing Tour | Katmai National Park | Brooks Falls [{"slug":"anchorage","title":"Anchorage"},{"slug":"katmai-national-park-and-preserve","title":"Katmai National Park & Preserve"}], [{"slug":"anchorage","title":"Anchorage"},{"slug":"katmai-national-park-and-preserve","title":"Katmai National Park & Preserve"},{"slug":"homer","title":"Homer"}], Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. #belugaair #alaska. Your continued use of this site presumes you are ok with this. Getting Here | Brooks Lodge - Katmailand Damian and Elizabeth on the Brooks Falls viewing platform, Brown bear fishing as seen from Brooks Falls viewing platform. In addition to numerous other remote locations in Southwest Alaska. After the boardwalk, the trails are open but regularly traveled by other visitors. Anchorage Aero Your must-have activity guide + map while in Alaska. Sometimes the planes are objects of interest for bears. Hes worked at various air-taxi companies but wanted to offer something a little different with his own companyand hes done just that. Wahoo, both planes have their webbed feet and we are ready for summer!, N77BA is back in the water! Koa had the honors of choosing the winner for the $100 gift bag giveaway.and the winner is Dale Miller! Learn more. Stop by and check out the Great Alaska Aviation Gathering and the Beluga Air booth! a day excursion from Anchorage, Katmai Air, $1350.00 roundtrip per person (tax/fees included), $450.00 roundtrip per person (tax/fees included). 7 years ago Save I am hoping to figure out a day trip on a sea plane or helicopter from Anchorage or Seward or Homer to Brooks Falls. Combine bear viewing, flightseeing, and fly-in fishing (guided or unguided) in Katmai National Park or one of the surrounding areas. Operating June 1 - September 18, 2023. Your flight path initially takes you southwest . Bear viewing at Brooks Falls and Redoubt MountainLodge. The most intimate multi-day cruise option. We had a great weekend at the aviation gathering! Reservations usually start in early January. At this time, you should expect the largest number of bears as well as the largest number of visitors. During this time, the bears feed primarily on dead fish that float down the Brooks River. Privacy Policy. Anchorage/Brooks Camp. The world's largest salmon run floods this river and draws up to 15 bears at a . The route can take much longer, especially if bears are on the trail. . By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use. Go bear viewing with Brooks Lodge for aless-expensive experience that gives you more time with the magnificentbears, Brooks Lodge offers their own bear viewing tours which are less expensive than most, and give you more time at Katmai National Park to watch bears feasting on sockeye salmon from several viewing platforms. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. Alaska Bear Trips | Alaska Bear Viewing It all just depends on the time you have available and your budget. A waterfall is a natural obstacle for fish, meaning many salmon are gathered in a relatively small area. Alaska Tours & Aviation Services. With offices in Anchorage and King Salmon, and a fleet consisting of both land-based and float-equipped aircraft, we're here to service all of your air transportation needs across the great state of Alaska. Directions and Transportation. You can also get to Brooks Camp from King Salmon by air taxi. Anchorage Bear Viewing Tours | Fly Out To See Bears Hunt | ALASKA.ORG The flight from Anchorage typically takes about two and a half hours, while the flight from Homer is only one and a half. Oh, and the Norwegian connection? Brooks Falls is located in Katmai National Park, which is about 290 air miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska. Let us simplify it for you, How much does an Alaska summer vacation cost? On arrival, a local representative will transfer you directly to a seaplane for the 20-minute flight to Brooks Camp. Call or email us anytime to get your questions answered or to customize your Alaskan vacation. Ask when booking one of our Alaska Railroad tour packages or self-drive tour vacations! Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, The 9 Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse! Most visitors access this natural wonder by flying to Brooks Camp and then taking a bus. Dont leave Alaska without taking back stories to tell back home. But here, the walrus is the star. The large number of bears so close together makes Brooks Falls an attractive destination for photographers and visitors from around the world. I guess there is no road there from Anchorage? If its high on your list, book aflight-seeing/ bear viewing trip with Trail Ridge Air, knowing that personable pilots will take you to where bears splash and fish, and where visitors run out of words to describe their amazement. 4525 Enstrom Circle Brooks Camp has some amenities including shelter, a picnic area, food storage cache, vault toilet restroom facilities, a small gift shop, food for purchase, and a visitor center. Depart Brooks in the afternoon and connect in King Salmon for your return flight to Anchorage. But Trygg Air can fly you straight in from King Salmon, about a 45-minute flight. The spectacle that happens at Brooks Falls is truly unique. For thousands of years, Native Alaskans inhabited the land in this region. Fly from Anchorage to one of Alaskas most famous bear viewing destinations, Katmai National Park and Brooks Falls! We love our customers, so feel free to visit during normal business hours. Compliance with their rules greatly reduces the risk of any problems. They can also fly you out to two other iconic places: Brooks Falls, to see grizzly bears swatting at salmon as they swim upstream; and the dramatic, ash-filled Valley of the Ten Thousand Smokes. Highlights plus less visited destinations. After this time, participants are asked to leave the platform, and others take their place. Privacy Policy. Overwhelmed by choices? Now you can stop visualizing this photo because Brooks Falls is a place you can easily visit during your trip to Alaska! Brooks Falls is famous for the site of brown bears bulking up for winter by feeding on salmon trying to make their way upstream. Chris was born into a flying life. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. Each seasonBrookscan be very crowded and our goal is to provide the best visitor experience possible! Most companies now offer these services, but books are recommended well in advance. Katmai Brooks Bears visit Brooks Camp (also known as Brooks Falls) every summer for the salmon run. We use cookies to ensure you the best possible experience on our website. The best time to visit Brooks Falls is in July and September. For more info, read our Privacy Policy Accept & Hide This site uses cookies. Day Tours to Brooks Falls from Anchorage | Katmai Air We thank you everyone for their support! The staff at Alaska Tours was very professional and helpful during the planning stages. The float plane that took us from Homer to Katmai National Park, Float planes lined up at Brooks Camp and water taxi in the background. Watch bears digging for clams, wandering the sedge grass, or nursing their young all in ashort flight. Directions and Transportation - U.S. National Park Service You still should expect some walking and be prepared to be out in the elements on the platforms. Can anyone suggest tours? After landing on the lake, the pilot of your plane will escort you or show you how to reach Brooks Camp. The time allowed on the viewing platform depends on the number of people. Katmai National Park is a remote national park in Alaska, so the only way to get there is by air or water transportation. . It is also one of the simplest solutions that does not require additional transfers. If you are ready to start planning your trip to Alaska head over to our Design Your Trip page. To hopefully minimize wait times on the upper platform, our plan is to leave Homer during the late morning when weather and schedule permit. Youll also be looking for shorebirds, waterfowl, and possibly even bears. Roundtrip Flights to Brooks Camp / Brooks Lodge | Katmai Air Privacy Policy. Two brown bears fishing at the top of Brooks Falls. The cost for a one-day trip out to Brooks Falls and back currently ranges between $1000 to $1500 per person, depending on the company, length of the trip, and departure location. This solution can sometimes avoid the obstacle of bad weather. Watch bears digging for clams, wandering the sedge grass, or nursing their young all in ashort flight from Homer to Katmai or Lake Clark National Park. Brooks Camp is a small area within Katmai National Park. For those who want to save a little bit of money (and maybe increase your chances of getting to Brooks Falls despite the weather), an interesting option is to fly Alaska Airlines from Anchorage to King Salmon and then take a water taxi to Brooks Camp. Alaska is the only place in North America to see the Pacific Walrus in its natural glory, and Trygg Air can take you to see them safely. Recommended option Fly, travel 3h 33m Fly from Anchorage (ANC) to King Salmon (AKN) ANC - AKN Travel from King Salmon to Brooks Falls All Rights Reserved. The first archaeological evidence dates the presence of people in the area from 6 to 9 thousand years ago. 2-5 day small ship explorations. Smokey Bays bear tours last about five hours totalincluding flights and about three hours on the ground. The flight from Anchorage typically takes about two and a half hours, while the flight from Homer is only one and a half. We use cookies to ensure you the best possible experience on our website. How to get to Katmai National Park (VIDEO) Bound For Nowhere Anchorage Aero - Brooks Falls Bear Viewing, Katmai National Park We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. Depart Anchorage early on a scheduled flight to King Salmon (approximately 1.5 hours). This is very fortunate for the bears, which do not have to work hard to eat well. We did the driving tour with several changes. 7-10 days is the most common. Brooks Falls: Katmai National Park Bear Viewing Tours Depart Anchorage early on a scheduled flight to King Salmon (approximately 1.5 hours). When you reach your destination, Cape Seniavin, youll land on the beach with a 100-foot cliff towering above you. There is more to Katmai National Park than just Brooks Falls. Visit Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park Handpicked Alaska Although the company has been established longer, we have continued to provide safe and reliable float transportation from Homer, AK since 2013. Choose a round-trip Inside passage or one-way Gulf of Alaska Cruise. At Brooks Camp, there is also a campground surrounded by an electric fence to deter bears from entering. Brooks Camp provides excellent and accessible viewing opportunities, with bear-viewing platforms and wheelchair-friendly trails. For this reason, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the rules of safe travel in bear country and, above all, to comply with them. Can you spot the brown bear taking in the view with the other visitors? Alaska Airlines' times don't work for the day tours. Your Seaplane Bear Safari will take you to Brooks River Falls in Katmai National Park, home of the world ' s largest salmon run. With offices in Anchorage and King Salmon, and a fleet consisting of both land-based and float-equipped aircraft, we're here to service all of your air transportation needs across the great state of Alaska. Soar around the peaks of enormous volcanoes and get an aerial view of Novaruptathe volcano that erupted in 1912, creating the ashy valley below. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. Only then, if everyone works to take care of this unique place, will we still have the opportunity to admire brown bears in these wonderful and natural habitats. Brooks Falls bear viewing is an experience you'll never forget and is one of the premier . Witness these iconic creatures playing or fishing as you take pictures and learn more about their habits and habitat. After a scenic flight on a float plane you will land at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park. This is where water and air taxis will take passengers. Click here to accept. 1-800-544-2299 907-243-1595 Fax: 907-248-0552. Tours visit one of two destinations: Lake Clark National Park or Brooks Falls in Katmai NationalPark. Find how many days you need based on what you want to see and do in Alaska. Free personal GPSdriven travel guide to Alaska. 2023 Alaska Tours. Flying from Anchorage. To maximize your bear viewing at Brooks falls, the most number of bears can typically be seen in the months of July and September. See chart. Brooks Falls Trail is 1.2 miles round trip (nearly 2 kilometers) and takes an average of 20 to 35 minutes to hike. more, Take ascenic flight to Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park or aremote lake to see bears inthe. On this unique tour from Homer, youll take ahelicopter ride out into one of Alaskas gorgeous national parks to witness these spectacular creatures in thewild. The nearest community is King Salmon, which is about 5 miles from the park entrance. Trygg Air can arrange activities and accommodations in King Salmon so that you can make the most of your visit. You can read more about backcountry camping here. Your continued use of this site presumes you are ok with this. Privacy Policy. When we visited, we saw bears from the very beginning of our trip - on the trails, on the river, at the waterfall, and even in front of the door of a small gift shop where we were stuck inside for a while. Fly past glaciers and volcanoes to the brown-bear country of southwest Alaska. During the month of July and again in September migrating salmon fill the Brooks River on the journey to complete their life cycle, come see this magical phenomenon. The downside is that there may be a limit to the amount of time you can spend on the upper bear viewing platform, but with our schedule we do our best to minimize wait times by providing this tour in the afternoon. It was the Read more. Tourism increased dramatically in the 1950's after aviation pioneer, Raymond Petersen, established several camps around the Katmai region. After a short safety briefing about bears by a park ranger, you are free to explore the nature preserve and enjoy unguided bear viewing for about 4 to 6 hours. Viewing brown bears in their natural habitat is one of the most amazing things you can do in Alaska. You can expect about 1 mile each way to and from the furthest viewing platform, the Upper Falls. 1 fti Alaska Destination Expert for Alaska Level Contributor 19,335 posts 39 reviews 102 helpful votes 1. There is 1 way to get from Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Brooks Falls by plane Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner. (tax/fees included) All air travel to Brooks Lodge via Anchorage or King Salmon is provided by third party air carriers and is not considered a visitor service as part of Katmailand, Inc.'s concession contract with the National Park Service. Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. Re: Cheapest way to get to Brooks falls 11 years ago Top Left: Food storage closet Top Right: Designated eating area with electric fence Bottom Left: Damian with Brooks Camp sign Bottom Right: Pin from park rangers received after attending informational session, We found a larger group to walk with on the Brooks Falls Trail. more. You can also opt for a lodge package that includes the Valley of 10,000 smokes. We visited Brooks Falls at the end of June 2022 and saw many more bears there than we expected and were able to avoid the crowds. $1350.00 roundtrip per person (tax/fees included), $450.00 roundtrip per person (tax included). Bears are regularly encountered on this trail, so following all safety rules from the beginning of your stay is necessary. By this time, the bears are very impressive in size, but little activity is happening at the waterfall or the river. Anchorage to Brooks Falls via plane - Rome2rio Overwhelmed by choices? The most popular trails lead to the South Platform and the famous Brooks Falls Platform. Brooks Falls Trail is the area's most popular trail, leading to the famous observation platform. After the presentation, visitors are required to leave all food items in a special locker. The Rust's Flying Service Experience. Continue reading to learn why you should visit, how to get there, when to visit, and everything else you need to know about going to Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park. 600 Barrow Street, Suite 200. There are a few things you need to take care of before you head out to see the bears. His family ran an air-taxi service on Lake Hood in Anchorage, and he started flying at 17. Congrats Dale! Anchorage/Brooks Camp . During your 200-mile journeythe flight takes two to three hoursyou can often spot numerous bears from the air (along with gorgeous scenery) as well. Because there are so many people, the park rangers monitor the platforms to rotate visitors. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. The month of July often sells out within a few hours of the system opening. Katmai National Park & Preserve (view park map) is located on the northern Alaska Peninsula, northwest of Kodiak Island and southwest of Homer, Alaska. Its recommended you come in June, as good weather that month makes the flight easier. Three bear-viewing platforms connected by raised boardwalks allow for close, unobstructed and extraordinary viewing of bears in the Brooks River. Your continued use of this site presumes you are ok with this. 3409 Lampert LoopHomer, AK 99603(907) 235-8256, Guided Bear WatchingBrooks Falls Bear ToursFlightseeing ToursAir CharterAlaska Fishing ToursFlight InstructionMcNeil River TransportationMarriagesMemorial ServicesCamping Gear Rental, N1083H joined the beaver today on Beluga Lake! Water taxis operate all day in the summer. Fly past glaciers and volcanoes to the brown-bear country of southwest Alaska. In July, lured by spawning salmon, as many as fifty bears can be seen at once along the 1.5-mile Brooks River. Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. Acommercial flight from Anchorage takes you to King Salmon where youll switch to asmall float plane for aquick 20-minute flight to Brooks Camp. An alternative observation location is the Riffles Platform, which offers a slightly different view of the wildlife and the waterfall. There are several trails in Brooks Camp, and on each of them, there is a good chance of coming face-to-face with bears, which is important to keep in mind at all times. If you are interested in learning more about visiting Brooks Falls contact us! It is also important to remember that setting up camera tripods on the platform is not permitted. Highlights plus less visited destinations. Brooks Falls bear viewing platforms are connected by walking trails and are strategically placed for commanding views of brown bears feeding in their natural habitat. Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, View All Southcentral & Interior Towns on a Map, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. August is usually a pretty quiet month, but the bears return to the waterfall in September to gain weight before retiring for the winter. Brown bear walking below a viewing platform. BrooksFalls is located inland on glacial fed Naknek Lake and only accessible by float planes like ours. . The most intimate multi-day cruise option. World-famous Brooks Falls is a quick 30-minute flight from King Salmon. Car, train, or group tour. But Alaska is the only place in North America to see the Pacific Walrus in its natural glory, and Trygg Air can take you to see them safely (Trygg means safe in Norwegian). Trips available from Whittier, Homer, Seward, Juneau, and Sitka. There is also an option to camp in the backcountry outside Brooks Camp if there is no availability at the campground or the lodge. Katmai National Park | Fly Rusts The platform has two elevated levels where visitors congregate. 1 Map Website Season: May to Mid September $945+ 6 - 10 hrs Take off by seaplane for an all-day bear-viewing expedition. We offer a seat fare rate to Brooks Falls during the most active part of the season during most of July. Insider tips to pick the best Alaska cruise. By air you will get a better understanding of how vast this beautiful country is in Katmai National Park! Visit September to April to see the Northern Lights. Big ship or small ship? Your continued use of this site presumes you are ok with this. #belugaair #floatplane #dehavillandbeaver. You can hire a taxi that takes you directly to Katmai National Park from Anchorage, Homer, or other towns in Alaska, or fly through King Salmon, which is the main transportation hub for Katmai. You can not drive to Brooks Falls as no roads connect this part of Alaska. Recommended Fly, travel Fly from Anchorage (ANC) to King Salmon (AKN) Travel from King Salmon to Brooks Falls 2h 8m Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. With day trips, there is always the risk of cancellation due to bad weather, which can happen regularly. Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, View All Southcentral & Interior Towns on a Map, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. This image is on the front of postcards, travel magazines, posters, and more. Fly to Brooks Camp and walk along a wooden boardwalk to the river, where you'll have the perfect vantage point to watch the bears.