Junior Ranger Program

Book cover "Journeys at Katmai: An Activity Book for Not-So-Junior Rangers

Not-So-Junior Ranger Program

Journeys at Katmai: An Activity Book for Not-So-Junior Rangers is geared toward young adults and adults. This book delves deeper into Katmai's history and resources on an exploratory journey fit for any National Park fan. Your journey starts right here. Get your free activity book at the King Salmon and Brooks Camp visitor centers or <a href="https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/DownloadFile/670841">download</a> it now (26.9 MB file). You can turn in your book at either the King Salmon or Brooks Camp visitor center to have it checked by a park ranger who will then swear you in as an official Not-So-Junior-Ranger. If you are unable to visit either of these locations, don’t worry; you can mail your book to the park and a ranger will sign your certificate and mail you an official patch that you can wear with pride. Mail completed books to: Katmai National Park and Preserve Division of Interpretation P.O. Box 7 King Salmon AK 99613 Alternatively, submit completed books electronically by emailing KATM_visitor_information@NPS.gov and request your patch. Be sure to include your mailing address so that we can send your book and patch to you!

Become a Not-So-Junior Ranger Journeys at Katmai: An Activity Book for Not-So-Junior Rangers is geared toward young adults and adults. This book delves deeper into Katmai's history and resources on an exploratory journey fit for any National Park fan.

Become a Not-So-Junior Ranger at Katmai

Animals

Archeology

Geology

Flying

Float plane landing on the water on a cloudy day

Float plane at Katmai

One of the more dramatic ways to see Katmai National Park and Preserve is from the window of a small airplane. From the air, you can take in the enormity and diversity of the park landscape - soaring over lowland tundra, vast freshwater lakes, the rugged Pacific coast, and even up to the steaming volcanoes of the Aleutian Range. In addition to the stunning scenery, you can often catch glimpses of large schools of salmon in rivers, bears and moose roaming the landscape, rookeries of birds, and marine mammals hauled out on rocky islets. The majority of air taxis authorized to operate in Katmai offer flightseeing tours. Most flightseeing tours originate is the communities surrounding the park such as Anchorage, Homer, King Salmon, Kodiak, and Soldotna among others. Please see the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/locations/alaska/services.htm">commercial visitor services directory</a> for contact information on authorized businesses.

Katmai National Park and Preserve spans over four million acres of remote, wild, and spectacular country and there's no better way to see it than from the window of a small airplane.

Explore Katmai by Air

Aviation

Scenic Views

Boating

Rafting at Funnel Creek

Katmai contains hundreds of miles of rivers and streams, many large lakes, and countless small ponds. These waterways were used by Native Alaskans long before contact with Russian and European explorers. Today, they remain beautiful and attractive travel corridors allowing contemporary explorers relatively easy access to Katmai’s wilderness. <h4>Canoeing, Kayaking, and Rafting</h4> Whether you are looking for a long paddle on an isolated lake or the excitement of running whitewater, Katmai has a destination for you. The Savonoski Loop is a popular canoeing and kayaking route while American Creek, Moraine Creek, and Funnel Creek are popular with rafters. <h4>Naknek Lake</h4> At more than 150,000 acres (60,702 hectares), Naknek Lake is Katmai’s largest and most accessible lake. It is the largest lake entirely contained within any American national park. Popular destinations on Naknek Lake include Bay of Islands, Brooks Camp, Fure’s Cabin, Iliuk Arm, and access to the Savonoski Loop. Canoes and kayak are available for rent at Brooks Camp by the consessionaire Katmailand. Please see the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/locations/alaska/services.htm">commercial visitor services directory</a> for contact information on authorized businesses.

Pets are not allowed with in the Brooks Camp Developed Area but are allowed in other areas of the park.

Katmai contains hundreds of miles of rivers and streams, many large lakes, and countless small ponds. These waterways were used by Native Alaskans long before contact with Russian and European explorers. Today, they remain beautiful and attractive travel corridors allowing contemporary explorers relatively easy access to Katmai’s wilderness. Explore Katmai's pristine water features by boat.

Boating in Katmai National Park and Preserve

Lakes

Watersheds

Wildlife Watching

People on an elevated platform watch several bears below

Brooks Falls Platform

When most people envision Katmai, they think of bears. Katmai is one of the premier brown bear viewing areas in the world. About 2,200 brown bears are estimated to inhabit the park, and more bears than people are estimated to live on the Alaska Peninsula. At Brooks Camp, brown bears congregate to feed on sockeye salmon in the Brooks River. While bears can be seen throughout the Brooks Camp area, there are four viewing platforms. The Falls Platform is located immediately adjacent to Brooks Falls, the Riffles Platform is located about 100 yards (91 m) downstream of Brooks Falls, and the North and South Platforms are located at the mouth of the Brooks River on either side of the elevated bridge. These wildlife viewing platforms offer safe and spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities while minimizing our potential impact on the bears. The Falls Platform has limited capacity and rangers maintain a system to help provide equal access during peak visitation days. If you visit Brooks Camp in July, expect crowded conditions at Brooks Falls. As many bear populations around the world decline, Katmai provides some of the few remaining unaltered habitats for these amazing creatures. At Katmai, scientists are able to study bears in their natural habitat, visitors are able to enjoy unparalleled viewing opportunities, and the bears are able to continue their life cycle largely undisturbed. Nurturing this relationship between people and bears is the key to Katmai's success as a bear-viewing destination. Rangers, scientists, and the public work together to maintaining this fragile balance. It is important that all who visit Katmai respect bears and are armed with the knowledge to <a href="https://www.nps.gov/katm/planyourvisit/bear-safety-in-katmai.htm">stay safe in bear country</a>. By recognizing the needs of the bears and giving them space, each of us plays a role in keeping bears wild.

While advance reservations are not necessary or offered, the Brooks Falls Platform does have a viewing capacity. During busy times, rangers will limit the amount of time each party is allowed on the platform. 

Brooks Camp is renowned for its remarkable bear viewing opportunities.

During certain times of year, the Brooks Falls Platform and the Riffles Platform have specific hours.

Watch Bears at Brooks Camp

Guided Tours

Several hikers along a path with mountains in the background

Valley Tour

On June 6, 1912, the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century helped shape the land into what it is today. In the wake of this eruption, the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes was created. The Valley was so named because of the many smoking fumaroles and this spectacular ash covered landscape led to the initial creation of Katmai National Monument. Visitors can explore the Valley and learn more about its history and marvels on an all-day tour with a ranger. The tour begins in Brooks Camp where a ranger gives a brief introduction before setting out by bus. There are two additional overlook stops before arriving at the Robert F. Griggs Visitor Center. Visitors then take a break for lunch before departing on an optional ranger-guided hike to the Valley floor. The hike is 3.4 miles (5.4 km) round trip with 1000 feet (305 m) of elevation change. A fee is charged for this tour and reservations are required. Advanced reservations can be made at Brooks Lodge or by contacting <a href="http://www.katmailand.com/">Katmailand</a>. The beauty, scale, wildness, and mystery of the Valley make it one of the best places in the world to study the violence of volcanic eruptions and experience the raw power of nature.

Reservations must be made in advance with by contacting <a href="http://www.katmailand.com/">Katmailand</a>.

Join a ranger-guided tour to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. Experience the raw power of nature and learn about the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century.

Take a Guided Tour to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes

Volcanoes

Junior Rangers are typically between the ages of 5 to 13, although people of all ages can participate.

Just do a few activities or complete the whole book! 

Front cover of the Jr. Ranger Book featuring Jr. Ranger badge, artistic rendering of a bear and moun

Katmai Jr. Ranger Book

The Junior Ranger Program is an exciting opportunity for visitors of all ages to learn about the park. Get your free Junior Ranger book at the King Salmon and Brooks Camp visitor centers or download it <a href="https://www.nps.gov/katm/learn/upload/Katmai-Junior-Ranger.pdf">online</a>.  Follow the steps on the first page to complete your Junior Ranger book. You can turn in your book at either the King Salmon or Brooks Camp visitor center to have it checked by a park ranger who will then swear you in as an official Junior Ranger. If you are unable to visit either of these locations, don’t worry; you can mail your book into the park to be checked by a ranger! If completed properly (have an adult double check your work) a ranger will sign your certificate and mail you a Junior Ranger badge that you can wear with pride. Mail your completed Junior Ranger Book to: Katmai National Park and Preserve Division of Interpretation P.O. Box 7 King Salmon AK 99613 Be sure to include your mailing address so that we can send your book and Junior Ranger badge to you!

Take your stewardship to the next level by earning your Junior Ranger Badge.

Become A Katmai Jr. Ranger

Schools and Education

Wilderness

Hiking

This moderate to strenuous hike is 3 miles round trip to Dumpling Overlook with longer options available.

A footpath through green tundra with expansive views of two lakes behind

A view from Dumpling Mountain

<h2>A Challenge Worth the View</h2> A hike to Dumpling Overlook offers expansive views of Naknek Lake, Brooks River, and Lake Brooks. A great get-away from the relative hustle and bustle of Brooks Camp, this moderately strenuous hike climbs 800 feet (244 m) over 1.5 miles. The trailhead is located in the Brooks Camp Campground. More adventurous hikers have the option to continue beyond the overlook to reach the summit of Dumpling Mountain (2440 ft/744 m), another 2.5 mi (4 km). The trail climbs through several habitat communities on its way to the summit including boreal forest, subalpine meadows, and alpine tundra. Please note that beyond the overlook, there is no maintained trail. As with all areas of the park, visitors should always be bear aware. We recommend hiking in groups and talking out loud to avoid startling a bear. More information about bear safety can be found on our <a href="https://www.nps.gov/katm/planyourvisit/bear-encounters-in-katmai.htm">website</a>.

Those seeking to make this an overnight backbacking trip can obtain a free permit at the Brooks Camp Visitor Center. 

Dumpling Overlook offers expansive panoramic views of Naknek Lake, Brooks River, and Lake Brooks. Visitors also have the option to continue beyond the maintained trail to the summit.

Hike to Dumpling Overlook

Mountains

Bear in the water

Follow the lives of the brown bears of Brooks River from anywhere with an internet connection. Katmai National Park and explore.org have partnered to bring the bears to you. You can see the bears live on the cams during the summer and early fall, typically late June through early October. Don’t miss a second of the action. You can check out the bearcam <a href="https://www.nps.gov/katm/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm">online</a> and follow the links to our various feeds. Cameras are located at Brooks Falls, at the outlet of the Brooks River, near the summit of Dumpling Mountain, and even underwater. On social media, you can use #bearcam and also join the real-time chat at the bottom of any bearcam page on <a href="http://www.explore.org/bears">www.explore.org/bears</a>. Periodically throughout the season, rangers will host live chats on a variety of topics. Be sure to check the park’s calendar of events or social media pages for the live chat schedule.

Follow the brown bears of Brooks River from anywhere with an internet connection with our live bearcam.

Watch the Katmai Bearcam

A landscape is alive underneath our feet, filled with creatures that remind us what it is to be wild. Katmai was established in 1918 to protect the volcanically devastated region surrounding Novarupta and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. Today, Katmai National Park and Preserve also protects 9,000 years of human history and important habitat for salmon and thousands of brown bears.