Brooks Falls
Hiking Trail
Easy
2.33 mi
59 ft
One of the best places to view grizzly bears in the world.
Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park is famous as one of the best places on earth to view grizzly bears. "Every July, when the salmon make their annual run, this part of the Brooks River is packed with bears, making it one of the best wildlife viewing experiences in the US national parks," writes Julie on [](
The hike to Brooks Falls is a leisurely meander on a flat trail with boardwalks to reach a viewing platform that overlooks the falls. While it's possible to hike an even shorter route to reach the falls, the hike as it is shown here departs from the visitors center and tours a few different viewing platforms before finally ending at the famous Brook Falls.
After leaving the visitors center, you'll follow a path for a short way before traversing a bridge across the Brooks River, which might also afford you some bear-spotting opportunities. Follow the path on the other side to reach the road, then take a right along the road to reach the trailhead. At the trailhead, take another right to head towards Brook Falls itself.
Near the end of this stretch of trail, you'll find both the Brooks Falls Viewing Platform and the Riffles Platform, located just downstream. Both of these can provide incredible views of the bears!
While the bears are usually preoccupied with fishing their dinner out of the river, you should remain hyper-vigilant and bear-aware while using this trail. Always stay well away from the bears, and be sure to carry bear spray.
Sources:
[](
[]( Written by Greg Heil
Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park is famous as one of the best places on earth to view grizzly bears. "Every July, when the salmon make their annual run, this part of the Brooks River is packed with bears, making it one of the best wildlife viewing experiences in the US national parks," writes Julie on [](
The hike to Brooks Falls is a leisurely meander on a flat trail with boardwalks to reach a viewing platform that overlooks the falls. While it's possible to hike an even shorter route to reach the falls, the hike as it is shown here departs from the visitors center and tours a few different viewing platforms before finally ending at the famous Brook Falls.
After leaving the visitors center, you'll follow a path for a short way before traversing a bridge across the Brooks River, which might also afford you some bear-spotting opportunities. Follow the path on the other side to reach the road, then take a right along the road to reach the trailhead. At the trailhead, take another right to head towards Brook Falls itself.
Near the end of this stretch of trail, you'll find both the Brooks Falls Viewing Platform and the Riffles Platform, located just downstream. Both of these can provide incredible views of the bears!
While the bears are usually preoccupied with fishing their dinner out of the river, you should remain hyper-vigilant and bear-aware while using this trail. Always stay well away from the bears, and be sure to carry bear spray.
Sources:
[](
[]( Written by Greg Heil
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