Katmai National Park and Preserve, National park and preserve in southwest Alaska, United States
Katmai National Park and Preserve is a national park and preserve in southwest Alaska covering more than 16,000 square kilometers (over 6,000 square miles) of untouched wilderness. The area shows volcanic cones, deep lakes, alpine peaks, and wide valleys where the largest protected brown bear population in North America lives.
Novarupta erupted in 1912 and created a gray-white ash field later called the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. This explosion led to the creation of a national monument in 1918, which expanded into a national park in 1980.
Brooks Falls draws people from around the world who come to watch bears catching salmon in their natural habitat. Most visitors arrive between June and September, when the fish move upstream and the animals are most active at the waterfall.
Brooks Camp serves as the main access point and requires reservations along with a safety briefing on bear behavior. Most trails pass through areas with active bears, so visitors stay on marked paths and keep suggested distances.
Up to 50 brown bears gather at Brooks Falls at the same time when salmon move upstream in summer. Wooden platforms let visitors watch the fish jumping over the waterfalls while the bears wait at the best spots in the water.
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