Plan Your Trip
We’re here to help you plan your trip to Katmai Wilderness Lodge. From booking your stay to arriving by floatplane, this step-by-step guide gives an overview of what you’ll experience on your unforgettable journey into one of Alaska’s most remote and awe-inspiring places.
Choose Your Travel Dates
Bear viewing at Katmai Wilderness Lodge varies throughout the season, offering something unique each month. Early June brings fewer crowds and the chance to see bears as they first return to the coast. July and August are the busiest months for bear activity, with excellent viewing opportunities as they feed along the shoreline. By early September, the landscape begins to shift into fall colors, and bears continue to forage before winter.
Because July and August are especially popular, we recommend booking 6–12 months in advance if those are your preferred travel dates.
Book Your Stay
Once you’ve picked your dates, reserve your spot directly through us. Our all-inclusive packages cover lodging, meals, guided bear-viewing, and more. After booking, we’ll provide a detailed confirmation with travel tips, suggested flights, and a personalized packing checklist.
- A non-refundable deposit of $1,000 per person is required to secure
your reservation. - Deposits must be received within 30 days of booking to hold your spot.
- Trip insurance is strongly encouraged due to weather-related travel delays in Alaska
Plan Your Route
Your journey to Katmai Wilderness Lodge starts in Anchorage, where you’ll fly with Alaska Airlines to Kodiak, Alaska. We recommend arriving in Kodiak at least one day before your scheduled floatplane flight to the lodge to allow time for any travel delays.
Once in Kodiak, you’ll arrange your own transportation to the Island Air floatplane base. We provide helpful information on local hotels, taxis, and activities, as well as detailed directions to the floatplane basin to help you navigate independently.
From Kodiak, prepare to enjoy a scenic 45-minute flight over Kukak Bay en route to our lodge.
Prepare for Adventure
Our lodge is remote, wild, and truly off the grid—so it’s important to come prepared. Weather in this part of Alaska can change quickly, with rain, wind, and cool temperatures being the norm. Dressing in layers is key, and comfort and function matter more than fashion.
While we provide essential outdoor gear like waders and rain protection for your time in the field, you’ll still need to bring appropriate personal items for your stay.
Check out our What to Bring page for a detailed packing list, including clothing recommendations.
Enjoy the Experience
Once you arrive, our team will welcome you to your home away from home. You’ll enjoy:
- Expert-led bear viewing in small groups (max 6 guests per guide)
- Daily excursions tailored to wildlife activity and weather
- Beautiful meals prepared by a nationally recognized chef
- Comfortable, rustic cabins with amenities designed for relaxation
- A peaceful, off-the-grid environment powered by solar and wind energy
Seasonal Highlights at Katmai Wilderness Lodge
Our lodge is open only during the warmer months. It closes in winter due to extreme cold and limited access.
Early June: Mating Season
This is a dynamic time to visit, with adult bears actively interacting during mating season (behavior you won’t see later in the summer). Moose are often spotted, and lucky visitors may even catch glimpses of wolves or other coastal wildlife.
Mid to Late June: Emerging Cubs
As mating season winds down, first- and second-year cubs begin appearing alongside their mothers. This period often brings beautiful weather and quieter surroundings, offering intimate wildlife moments and peaceful days on the coast.
Early to Mid July: Blooming Landscapes
Wildflowers blanket the tundra, and lush green foliage fills the landscape. Bear viewing is focused on mothers with cubs, and you may spot playful spring cubs exploring their new world.
Late July to August: Salmon Arrive
This is when the action shifts to the rivers. Salmon begin their run, drawing bears to the creeks for dramatic fishing scenes. It’s an incredible time to witness classic Alaskan bear behavior up close.
Late August to Early September: Peak Feeding & Changing Seasons
By now, salmon are reliably running, and fishing bears are everywhere. The tundra transforms with striking fall colors, but Alaska’s summer is fading; this period can bring more variable weather and occasional short flight delays.
Book your stay
Explore Wild Alaska
It's time to check Alaska bear viewing off your bucket list. Start planning your stay at Katmai Wilderness Lodge.