Stunning Photos of Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska

Katmai National Park and Preserve is one of America’s least visited National Parks, with less than 40,000 people visiting each year. It’s an hour’s flight south of Anchorage and home to volcanos, coastal brown bears, braided rivers, glaciers, turquoise lakes, and many more stunning sights.

As a professional photographer, I was stunned by the photos from Katmai National Park. They showed an incredibly diverse landscape with vast stretches of land that wowed me.

Below are some of my favorite Katmai photos. If you’d like to purchase some for your home or office, you can do so here and at the bottom of this article.

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Photos of Katmai National Park and Preserve

Katmai Bears

We saw these bears outside of Brooks Falls in a more natural setting.

Katmai Landscape

Our final day at Lake Clark Resort was a Katmai Coast tour. We had hoped to see more bears, but the landscapes were dramatic and beautiful. These photos of Katmai National Park are some of my favorites.

Brooks Falls

Sights and sounds from Brooks Falls in Alaska.

Two coastal brown bears stand near each other in an Alaska river

A bear stands on top of a waterfall looking for fish

A bear lunges for a fish at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park

Two bears stare each other down in Alaska

A bear stands on a waterfall looking for fish

Two bears look at each other in the water

Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes

We briefly flew over this valley on our way home from Brooks Falls.

A glacier in the background with the valley of ten thousand smokes at the bottom

Looking down on the brown valley in Katmai

The brown hills and mountains in Alaska's Katmai National Park

Purchase Photos of Katmai National Park

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History of Katmai National Park

Katmai National Park and Preserve, located in southern Alaska, is a land rich in natural beauty and history. The park was originally established in 1918 as a national monument to protect the area surrounding the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a landscape formed by the massive 1912 eruption of the Novarupta volcano. This eruption was the largest of the 20th century. It resulted in a dramatic landscape transformation, covering the area with ash and creating a vast valley filled with smoking fumaroles, hence its name.

Over time, Katmai’s boundaries were expanded, and in 1980, it was redesignated as Katmai National Park and Preserve under the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA). The park now covers over 4 million acres, making it one of the largest in the United States.

Katmai is famous for its brown bears, which gather in large numbers at Brooks Falls to catch spawning salmon. This natural spectacle has made Katmai a prime destination for wildlife viewing, particularly for bear watching. The park is also known for its pristine rivers, lakes, and rugged wilderness, offering opportunities for hiking, fishing, and exploring the Alaskan backcountry.

In addition to its natural wonders, Katmai holds cultural significance for the Alutiiq people, who have lived in the region for thousands of years. The park’s history is thus a blend of volcanic drama, ecological diversity, and indigenous heritage, making it a unique and fascinating destination.

Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.

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