Brooks Falls and Brooks Camp
At Katmai's biggest draw, Brooks Falls, viewing platforms overlook the 6-foot cascade. Here, salmon leap upriver to their spawning grounds while brown bears stand on the edge of the falls to catch them, particularly in July and September. An access trail and boardwalk are separated from the river to avoid confrontations with bears. Note, too, that the daily tour to the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes starts from nearby Brooks Lodge, and there's camping at Brooks Camp ($18 nightly per person per night in peak season, June–mid-September; $10 at other times). It's a good idea to reserve a spot for high season.
