National park · Alaska

Katmai National Park & Preserve

Protects the site of the 1912 Novarupta eruption — the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century — which created the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes and reshaped a stretch of Alaska Peninsula now famous for its salmon-fishing brown bears.

Entrance
No fee listed by NPS
Hours
Open 24 hours daily Katmai National Park and Preserve
Established
1912-06-06
Region
Alaska
Katmai National Park & Preserve
Photo: NPS Photo · Public domain (US National Park Service)
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History

Mount Katmai is historically significant for being the site of the 1912 Novarupta eruption, which was the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century. This eruption led to the formation of a large caldera and dramatically altered the landscape, creating the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes.

Key events

  1. June 1912Novarupta erupted, the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century, creating the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes.
  2. September 24, 1918Katmai National Monument established by President Woodrow Wilson to protect the eruption area.
  3. December 2, 1980Redesignated as Katmai National Park and Preserve under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.
  4. Local villagers reported that the volcano occasionally 'smoked' as early as 1898, indicating prior activity.

Trails

  • Brooks Falls Trail 1.2 mi · Easy
  • Dumpling Mountain Trail 4.6 mi · Moderate
  • Valley of 10,000 Smokes 23 mi · Hard
  • Savonoski Loop 80 mi · Hard
  • Ukak Falls Trail 3 mi · Moderate

Plan your visit

Hours · Katmai National Park and Preserve

Open 24 hours, every day

Katmai is open 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

Entrance fees

NPS lists no entrance fee for this park.

Fees and hours as of May 2026. Check current details on NPS.gov

When to go

  • Summer. Peak bear viewing July, salmon runs, all services open
  • Early Fall. Bears feeding on spawned salmon September, fall colors
  • Late Spring. Bears emerging, services begin June, fewer crowds

Wildlife

Brown bearsWolvesMooseCaribouLynxWolverinesBald eaglesSalmon

Nearby patches

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