I want to go to katmai National Park to view the brown bears at Brooks Falls at the end of August. Need input from someone who has done this or has arranged to do this. I checked out the ferry as a means of transportation but it does take a long time and then i realized i still need float service to get to Brooks Falls. I'm open to other areas to see the brown bears but last year i was in denali and didn't see any. An early Thanks for your input everyone.

Get a hold of www.Katmailand.com I think the later you go the more bears you'll see with September being optimal. They have a daytrip where you can fly in for the day from Anchorage via PennAir. You can also overnight and camp at Brooks or stay in one of their cabins. The expensive thing is the airfare to get there but it's worth it, tons of bears.

I would recommed at least 1 overnight. Are you going to Homer?? Just an extensive list of excellent operators there. Actually- the flight is not the biggest cost- the guiding is.

Guiding? Why would you get a guide? I've been to Brooks Falls numerous times over the past 16 years and I don't know anyone who has ever had a guide unless it's a fishing guide or they are doing the daytrip to the "Valley of 10,000 Smoke", there the bus driver is also the tour guide but then you're free to hike on your own once you get to the Valleyn (this is probably only $50 per person and includes lunch). Of course there is Park Service all over the place but they don't charge you. What guide have you hired before?

If you leave from Homer I think most the planes are single engine. I wouldn't fly a single engine plane over that body of water, it's too rough - if the engine goes out you're a goner. I'd at least take a twin engine.

I also think you should overnight. It's such a good experience you should get the most out of it.

i can go anytime between august 26- sept 1st. i have read that brooks falls can be very busy with people and that sometimes a line forms to view the bears on the platform. have either of you experienced this. if i stay overnite would i be able to avoid this? Budgetqueen I am going to homer also so i can either fly form anchorage or homer. thank again for the early response.

Out of Homer- many of the bear trips are guided- these aren't all going to Brooks Falls. This was my only reference. I too have heard Brooks Falls can be over run with limited timed viewing??? Perhaps Mariann- can verify this?

Unfortunately, Brooks Falls is trying to accommodate too many people who have to wait sometimes in a very long lines. Been there, done that and it was greatregardless of long waiting time. Then we went to Katmai NP from Homer and it was fantastic, something so amazing that we want to go back next summer. Expensive but worthy. We had the best guide from one well known company in Homer, recommended here often. Freespirit, if you want to fly from Homer to Katmai NP book now. Brooks Falls is fully booked for this season but maybe they will have cancelation? I would recommmend flying from Homer to Katmai. We enjoyed both options but Katmai wins hands down.

July is usually the most crowded, the end of August doesn't have as many people, you're probably going at a great time to avoid crowds. In July the salmon are running up the river to the falls so the platforms are in more demand then. If you're going into Brooks where the lodge is and the viewing platforms you don't need a guide but if you are going into a different part of the park away from everything that is probably different. I prefer the comfort of a lodge and platforms.
Call 1-800-544-0551 these are the only cabins available in the Park, if you want to camp they can give you the phone number to the NPS to reserve a spot in the camp ground. I would call now and check availability.

I've only flown from Anchorage, it has never appealed to me to fly from Homer, however it is closer and the flight is a shorter distance. I use to be a student pilot and error on the cautious side. You'll love Homer, it's a nice small town.

thank you mariann,budgetqueen and pat2003 for the insight. i have spoke with an operator out of homer and am going to check availability out of anchorage. i'm considering doing them both. after reading your posts and doing some research i feel the experiences are quite different. mariann have you done the anchorage flyin to brooks at the end of august and if so did you see bears? again i appreciate the posts. theres nothing like first hand experience. thank you.

Yes, there were lots of bears. Are you going to camp? I have never done that, it never appealed to me but I guess they have an electric fence they put around the campground at night. At least that's what one camper told me. Anxious to hear how your trip goes.

freespirit61, who are you going with from Homer?

mariann, i checked and i can stay in the lodge. i'm with you on comfort.

earlxx, i am going to use emeraldairservice.com. have you flown out of homer and if so who did you use? i also have other daytrip companies websites if you want more info.

Hello Freespirit, I am glad you decided to use Emerald Air Service. You won't be dissapointed. Every summer we go with them at least for one day watching trip. If yu would like to see my pictures taken on these trips or are interested in more details regarding trips with Emerald Air Service send me e-mail [email protected] We are in a process of selling our property so I seldom check this board lately.

We went to Brooks Falls in July 2002, and stayed the night in the lodge.The cabins are very basic, don't expect anything much. However, the evenings are very special there, as all the day trippers have left.So we did miss the crowded platforms, that way.You will love it!

There was an average of 18 bears at the falls when I was there before in July. Watching their interactions & fish catching abilities is so amazing. I love watching the mama's & cubs. There were even two bears mating right below us during one of the very first times I was there.

You are so right about the evenings. Really, it's a shame for the people that come all that way and don't spend the night but I guess with such limited overnight accomondations they don't have a choice. It's truely amazing. I love the look on people's faces when they see my pictures, they can't believe it.

thank you mariann and dottie for the reply.i have read on the national park site that bear sightings at brooks falls are Not common at the end of august and at times none are seen at all. i'm a little concerned about this.
mariann have you been to brooks falls at the end of august? what kind camera/lens did you use to take pictures? thanks for the info. last year i went to denali and didn't see any bears and although the bears schedules can't be determined i would like to see just a few. thanks

In July is when you have all the bears at Brooks Falls, in August they are more scattered around. I saw them on the beach and on the trail. I went Aug 31st/Sept 2nd. Are you sure they aren't talking only about the Falls on the Park's website? What does Emerald Air Service say?

In July the bears are all around the Falls which is a sight to see. Maybe you should try and plan for next July to see the bears at the Falls? Boy, I can't imagine you wouldn't see a bear but since the Park Service posted that it does make me question it. Maybe their patterns are changing or maybe I've just been lucky? Wildlife can be fickled. I would probably call and ask them or your guide before I shelled out the money. Emerald Air Service must go in there everyday and knows what to expect. If it's questionable then maybe you should wait until July for the sure thing.

Dottie, what have you found?

With Emerald Service you won't go to Brooks Falls, they will fly you in to a very special and secluded part of Katmai National Park. I don't know about Brooks Falls but you will see many bears on your trip with Emerald Air Service. On every trip we saw between 40-75 bears.

This is what Emeral Air Service says about bear watching during June, July and August/September

"...June finds us along the coastal sedge flats watching as the bears beach comb and graze on succulent spring grasses and browse. It is mating season - we may see large males pursuing the females, June is the time new spring cubs are being introduced into the general population of bears - young sub adults are playfully celebrating the return of summer.

In late June and July many of the streams and rivers along the Alaska Range fill with salmon returning to the very streams they were spawned in, their bright red color shines and flashes as they fight their way up stream. Waiting for the salmon are the bears sporting hefty appetites after a long winters sleep. Each has their favorite fishing spot and unique fishing style.

...Mid August through September finds the bears fat and slick, moving between the salmon streams and the abundant ripe berries on the hillsides. Appetites sated, preparing to den.
...Throughout the day as we walk along the streams stopping frequently to sit on an overlook to watch, you might be amazed by how graceful and sensitive these magnificent creatures are, or by the tender interaction of a female with her cubs-cubs wrestling while mom catches lunch. Just when you think all the bears have moved off, like a ghost a 1200 pound male silently appears - don't be alarmed, he has one thing on his mind- catching fish! Watching his slow rolling gate you would think he couldn't possibly move as quickly or gracefully as he does splashing into the stream after a fish - in fact he can run up to 40 miles per hour, can turn like a working cow horse, stand on his hind legs, walk across logs that look to narrow for his feet and scratch the inside of his ear with one claw."

thank you mariann and wildflower. emeraldair as you said travels to other parts of the park. at the end of august the bears are in the areas where berries are and streams where salmon are. my understanding is that from august until sometime in september the falls are a hit and miss with the bears. i think marianns advice to wait until another time to visit the falls is the ticket. i am going to book with emeraldair as they travel to the "bears hangouts" when i will be there. thank you so much for the input and time. any other info is always appreciated. i'll make sure i post after my trip. this is the best way to learn --from others experiences. thanks again..

I think Emerald air is the way to go if you are going in Aug..They will most likely go were the bears are so your chances will be better, of sightings.

Brooks, as a rule needs to be booked over a year ahead in order to get lodge space.And I wouldn't be sure that the bears will be with in view that late in the season.

Please do post a report when you get back.I know you will have a great trip,and I want to here all about it.