A permit will be required if you want to explore the Brooks Lake Corridor at Katmai National Park. This map outlines where a permit will be needed/NPS graphic
Beginning June 15 and running through Halloween, you'll need a permit to explore the Brooks River Corridor at Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska for all activities, except redfish fishery subsistence activities.
The permit system was tested last year. The Brooks River Corridor includes the Brooks River as well as 50 yards from the water on either side along the banks upstream from the elevated bridge and boardwalk. This does not include graveled trails, boardwalks, or wildlife viewing platforms.
The Brooks River is an important habitat for migrating and spawning salmon, is a primary fishing location for Alaskan brown bears, and is enjoyed by visitors for fishing, bear viewing, and photography. The number of bears using the river has been consistently high in recent years and the number of people visiting the Brooks River Corridor continues to increase. This seasonal permit system was developed to learn how many people utilize the corridor every year, while providing an avenue for creating future visitor safety measures that ensure an enjoyable visit, avoid human-bear interactions, and protect natural resources.
Each permit is valid for seven days, with a maximum group size of six individuals. Permits are free but there is a $6 booking fee that is charged by the permit booking system, www.recreation.gov. Interested parties can reserve their permits online. It will also be possible to obtain a permit while at Brooks Camp, but this process may take time depending on park staff availability and visitation levels on the day in question. Therefore, the Park Service recommends that visitors and commercial users obtain permits before arriving at Brooks Camp via www.recreation.gov.
The Brooks River Corridor is used primarily for fishing, bear-viewing and photography and the intent is that a permit system in this area will ensure a safer and more compliant experience for visitors using the river. The use of the permit system in 2022 allowed the park to better regulate and address issues. The permit system will continue to serve as an integral planning and management tool to enhance visitor safety, compliance, and resource protection and will build on other actions taken to manage the Brooks River Corridor within the park’s 1987 General Management Plan (GMP).
Similar to the 2022 pilot permit system, there will be no limit to the number of permits issued during the permit-required time frame in 2023. The park will be analyzing visitor capacity in a future planning effort.
