The best time to visit Brooks falls is between June 25th - September 20th. That’s a big range so here’s what to expect based on our first-hand experience.

June 25th-July 31st

There are lots of bears at the falls, and when we say lots it can be as many as 30 bears at the falls in a single day. And that’s not counting all the bears you might encounter near Brooks camp. The big draw for guests in July is the number of bears at the falls and the abundant salmon attempting to jump the falls. The drawback is the number of people visiting in July.

August 1st-Mid September

Throughout most of August, there will still be a good number of bears at the falls fishing for sockeye salmon. And there will be a much lower number of total guests at Brooks camp. We strongly recommend visiting in August for those two reasons.

September the bears start to move away from the falls and into the rest of Brooks camp and the Brooks river. They tend to congregate near the outlet of Brooks lake & the lower viewing platform where there are sockeye that are now on their spawning beds.

How to get to Brooks falls, is actually less complicated than you might think. The best option we have found for people is to fly into King Salmon with Alaska Airlines the day before their trip to Brooks spend the night and then use one of the options below to fly or boat over to Brooks camp.

There are 2 modes of transportation to access Brooks falls, Float planes and a Water taxi. There are several float plane operators who fly to Brooks falls we have listed them out below. There is only one water taxi service & it is called Katmai Water taxi.

Katmai Air

Branch river air

Trygg air

We are happy to answer any questions about these providers!

Staying in King salmon is in our opinion the best option for day trips to Brooks falls as well as a stepping stone if you are able to get reservations to Brooks lodge. We provide all in-town transportation, daily shuttle service, & nightly dinner runs to local restaurants.

Visiting Katmai National park is an amazing experience. You will have the opportunity to see bears in their natural habitat. This is an experience that very few people in the world have had the opportunity to have. The photographs & memories our guests share with us after their adventures are National Geographic-worthy.