SeasonMapWhat's on in Katmai National Park, United States through the year
Katmai National Park, United States has 5 curated events through the year — 1 festival, 2 natural spectacles, 1 seasonal opening and 1 local rule. The ones to plan around: Fat Bear Week (September) and Brooks Camp season (June). June to August are its peak-crowd months.
Updated September 2026 · every event curated and sourced · dates for 2026 where they are announced, the usual window where they are not
Best time to visit Katmai National Park: weather, crowds and notes →
Katmai National Park events and crowds by month
| Month | What starts | Crowds |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | Busy |
| February | — | Shoulder season |
| March | — | Busy |
| April | — | Shoulder season |
| May | — | Shoulder season |
| June | Brooks Camp season, Brooks River corridor permits, July salmon run at the falls | Peak crowds |
| July | — | Peak crowds |
| August | — | Peak crowds |
| September | September bears on spawned fish, Fat Bear Week | Busy |
| October | — | Shoulder season |
| November | — | Busy |
| December | — | Busy |
January in Katmai National Park
Katmai National Park weather in January →Busy — Winter / Christmas break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it
Nothing new starts in January.
February in Katmai National Park
Katmai National Park weather in February →Shoulder season — an ordinary month
Nothing new starts in February.
March in Katmai National Park
Katmai National Park weather in March →Busy — Spring break in United States
Nothing new starts in March.
April in Katmai National Park
Katmai National Park weather in April →Shoulder season — an ordinary month
Nothing new starts in April.
May in Katmai National Park
Katmai National Park weather in May →Shoulder season — an ordinary month
Nothing new starts in May.
June in Katmai National Park
Katmai National Park weather in June →Peak crowds — July salmon run at the falls, Summer break in United States
- Opening
Brooks Camp season
1 Jun – 17 SepTrail seasonBook earlyThe camp, the lodge and the campground run from 1 June to 17 September and there is nothing else out there — no road, no shop, no phone signal. Campground nights are released a year ahead and go in seconds. Source ↗
- Rule
Brooks River corridor permits
15 Jun – 31 OctBook earlyFrom mid-June to the end of October, while the salmon are in, you need a permit to be in the Brooks River corridor at all — seven days, six people, booked on recreation.gov for a small fee. Day visitors off a floatplane need one too. Source ↗
- Nature
July salmon run at the falls
25 Jun – 5 Aug · usuallyWildlife seasonCrowdedBook earlySockeye stack up below Brooks Falls and the bears stand in the lip catching them mid-air, which is the picture everyone has seen. The viewing platform runs a timed queue in July because there is only room for so many. Source ↗
July in Katmai National Park
Katmai National Park weather in July →Peak crowds — July salmon run at the falls, Summer break in United States
Nothing new starts in July.
Still on: Brooks Camp season (1 Jun – 17 Sep), Brooks River corridor permits (15 Jun – 31 Oct), July salmon run at the falls (25 Jun – 5 Aug (usually))
August in Katmai National Park
Katmai National Park weather in August →Peak crowds — July salmon run at the falls, Summer break in United States
Nothing new starts in August.
Still on: Brooks Camp season (1 Jun – 17 Sep), Brooks River corridor permits (15 Jun – 31 Oct), July salmon run at the falls (25 Jun – 5 Aug (usually))
September in Katmai National Park
Katmai National Park weather in September →Busy — Summer break in United States
- Nature
September bears on spawned fish
1 Sep – 15 Oct · usuallyWildlife seasonThe second wave: bears working the lower river for dying salmon rather than leaping at the falls, fatter, calmer and with far fewer people watching. Weather grounds more flights than in July.
- Festival
Fat Bear Week
20 Sep – 8 Oct · usuallyWildlife seasonA knockout vote on which Brooks River bear has put on the most weight before hibernating, run on the park webcams by explore.org with the park and the conservancy. You watch it from anywhere; the bears are indifferent. Source ↗
Still on: Brooks Camp season (1 Jun – 17 Sep), Brooks River corridor permits (15 Jun – 31 Oct)
October in Katmai National Park
Katmai National Park weather in October →Shoulder season — an ordinary month
Nothing new starts in October.
Still on: Brooks River corridor permits (15 Jun – 31 Oct), September bears on spawned fish (1 Sep – 15 Oct (usually)), Fat Bear Week (20 Sep – 8 Oct (usually))
November in Katmai National Park
Katmai National Park weather in November →Busy — Thanksgiving break in United States
Nothing new starts in November.
December in Katmai National Park
Katmai National Park weather in December →Busy — Winter / Christmas break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it
Nothing new starts in December.