If you’re planning to come to Alaska in the peak summer months, it’s best to book at least a year ahead of time. If you’re planning to stay in Anchorage, build in time to take a float and charter plane day trip to explore more remote parts of the state that are only accessible by air. There’s a bit more flexibility to book a day trip, but we are seeing higher demand this year than we have had in past years, so we recommend planning your day trip as far in advance as possible in order to get your ideal time and date.
There are a few must-see places and experiences. Of course, you need to see the brown bears scooping salmon out of the falls. Brooks Lodge has bear viewing platforms to get your fair share of bears feasting on fish. We highly recommend a hike to get closer to our other wildlife.
And then of course there’s world-class flyfishing. Book a guided fishing tour to find the area’s best fishing spots. Or go at your own pace by taking a canoe or kayak onto the pristine waters. The Bristol Bay salmon run begins in mid to late June. By the end of July, more than a million salmon have moved through Katmai Park’s rivers, lakes, and streams.