Katmai National Park and Preserve is located in southwest Alaska, The park is named after Mount Katmai; Mount Katmai is a stratovolcano that is located in the park. Katmai is open year-round.
Wildlife
There are many birds that may be seen in the park, including:
- Great-Horned Owl(Bubo Virginianus)
- Common Raven(Corvus corax)
- Canada Jay(Perisoreus canadensis)
- Black-Capped Chickadee(Poecile atricapillus)
- Boreal Chickadee(Poecile hudsonicus)
- Common Redpoll(Acanthis flammea)
- Bald Eagle(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
- Spruce Grouse(Falcipennis canadensis)
- Rock Ptarmigan(Lagopus muta)
- Willow Ptarmigan(Lagopus Lagopus)
- Greater Yellowlegs(Tringa melanoleuca)
- Hudsonian Godwit(Limosa haemastica)
- Tundra Swan(Cygnus columbianus)
- Black-Billed Magpie(Pica hudsonia)
- Glaucous- Winged Gull(Larus glaucescens)
- Harlequin Duck(Histrionicus histrionicus)
- Black Oystercatcher(Haematopus bachmani)
- Horned Puffin(Fratercula corniculata)
- Tufted Puffin(Fratercula cirrhata)
- Black-Legged Kittiwake(Rissa tridactyla)
- Common Murre(Uria aalge)
- Common Goldeneye(Bucephala clangula)
The are about 42 species of Mammals in the park, including:
- Brown Bear(Ursus arctos)
- Gray Wolf(Canis lupus)
- Sea Otter( Enhydra lutris)
- Red Fox(Vulpes Vulpes)
- Caribou(Rangifer tarandus)
- North American River Otter(Lontra canadensis)
- Snowshoe Hare(Lepus americanus)
- American Red Squirrel(Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
- North American Porcupine(Erethizon dorsatum)
- Wolverine(Gulo gulo)
- North American Beaver(Castor canadensis)
- Canada Lynx(Lynx canadensis)
- Moose(Alves Alces)
Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) are three species of fish that live in the park’s marine habitats.
Hallo Bay, and Brooks Falls are great places to observe the park’s bears.
Lodging
Brooks Lodge. Brooks Lodge is located near Brooks River. Brooks River is mile-and-a-half-long, and is an excellent location for bear watching.
Grosvenor Lodge. The main lodge houses the lounging area and bar, where complimentary cocktails are served each evening. The Grosvenor only accepts 6 guests at a time. Wi-Fi is only available while the generator is on during the day, and streaming services are limited.
Battle River Wilderness Retreat. Battle River Wilderness Retreat is located on Katmai’s Battle Lake; here you can stay in a wood-frame cabin, and enjoy riverfront dining. There is also a modern bathhouse with hot showers. You can take a guided boat tour of either Battle Lake or Battle River. When you are on the water you may see a River Otter or an Arctic Loon.
Enchanted Lake Lodge. Enchanted Lake Lodge is a good location for watching wildlife.
Katmai Wilderness Lodge. Guests have seen wolves, Wolverine, North American Porcupines, Moose, Canada Lynx, whales, Orcas, Sea Lions, .puffins, ducks, geese, kittiwakes, shorebirds, and the Bald Eagle.
Kulik Lodge. Kulik Lodge can house up to 27 guests, and guests will also have access to modern amenities such as electricity, shower, and private toilet facilities.
Royal Wolf Lodge. All cabins have heat, running water (including hot water), a full bathroom with shower.
Camping
The Brooks Camp Campground is located in Katmai National Park and Preserve.
Katmai National Park and Preserve permits visitors to collect nuts, berries, and unoccupied seashells for personal use. However collecting artifact, such as; rocks, antlers, fossils, or other natural and cultural resources is prohibited. Camp fires are allowed but are discouraged because the park’s natural resources maybe damaged by a fire if it was left unsupervised.
Recreation
The Savonoski Loop is an approximately 80 mile canoe and kayak route.
Katmai’s official webpage:
https://www.nps.gov/katm/index.htm
Fun Facts
- Katmai National Park covers a total area of 4,093,077 acres (6,395.43 sq mi; 16,564.09 km2).
- Mount Dennison is 2318.6 meters(7,607 feet) tall; it is the tallest mountain in Katmai National Park & Preserve
