Search Results for: Brooks Lodge

One Hour Float Plane Tours of the Katmai Region

This hour long flightseeing tour is offered daily at Brooks Lodge (weather permitting). Our Katmai Air float planes fly through the heart of Katmai, where visitors have the opportunity for an aerial view of “The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes,” active volcanoes, Katmai Crater Lake, and a variety of wildlife. This is also an ideal way for hikers to get an overview of their proposed hiking trail.

Due to weather and demand, flightseeing times and availability are subject to change on a day to day basis during the season. Those interested in booking a flightseeing tour should check with the lodge office on-site.

2025 Flightseeing Tour Rate

One Hour Tour

$400.00 per person*

*2 person minimum

Katmailand, Inc. is authorized within Katmai National Park and Preserve to provide air taxi and tour services at Brooks Lodge.

For unsurpassed views of the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes and the greater Katmai area, start planning your trip to Brooks lodge by clicking right here.

While we have some items for sale on-site at our Katmai Trading Post, we highly recommend our guests travel well prepared.

Weather

Be prepared for stormy weather and occasional sunshine. Summer daytime temperatures can range from 50 -70 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average low of 44 degrees. Strong winds and sudden gusts frequently sweep the area. Skies are clear about 20 percent of the time during the summer season and light rain can last for days. Thus, packing for a wide range of weather is recommended.

The atmosphere at the lodge is casual, so bring comfortable medium-weight sport clothes. We recommend dressing in layers so you can add or remove clothing as the weather dictates.

Essential Items

The following items are a must when traveling to Brooks Lodge. A warm jacket or sweater, personal items, walking shoes or boots, sunglasses, raincoat, camera & memory cards, long sleeve shirts, mosquito repellent should be kept with a scarf or hat during your travel.

Optional items you might also consider are binoculars, a head net for bugs, and a day pack to keep items with you during the day.

“Bear Jam!”

Bear activity on the lower river may delay crossing the Brooks River Bridge, Please be prepared to wait in windy and/or rainy conditions and allow yourself ample time to meet meal services and/or your departing flight.

What Not to Bring

We do not recommend bringing bear mace/pepper spray to Brooks Lodge. None of the commercial airline operators (Katmai Air, Alaska Airlines, PenAir, Ravn, etc.) out of Anchorage will allow it on flights.

If you find yourself traveling with bear mace/pepper spray outside of the Anchorage area, be sure to inform your pilot as it may not be packed inside the plane.

For more packing recommendations, take a look at our printable brochures and packing lists or contact our experts by clicking right here.

Add more guided fishing time to your stay at Brooks

2025 Fishing Season: June 8th – September 17th, 2025

Brooks Lodge overlooks the world famous Brooks River in the heart of Katmai National Park. Superb fishing is available adjacent to the lodge on the Brooks River and on the Brooks and Naknek Lakes.

The Brooks River is fly fishing only and our fishing program is best suited for independent minded anglers who want to experience the great sport fishing of the Katmai area without the expense of a fully guided fishing lodge.

Including additional guided fishing days in your stay will allow you to take advantage of the variety of species of fish available in southwest Alaska.

The majority of our guided activities are walk/wade trips, led by an experienced fishing guide on the Brooks River. When the weather permits, guests also have the opportunity to fish or explore surrounding lakes and creeks by boat to troll for trophy rainbow trout, northern pike, and lake trout, or to simply enjoy the beauty Katmai has to offer. Please communicate with our reservations team or your guide on any goals you have for your trip. In the event weather does not allow for lake travel, all guided trips are conducted on the Brooks River. 

In addition, guided fly outs to other fisheries in the region are also available (subject to weather and aircraft availability). See all of our guided fishing rates below.

2025 Guided Fishing Rates

Hourly	Single Angler	$100.00 per person
Hourly	Two or More Anglers	$85.00 per person
Half Day	Single Angler	$315.00 per person
Half Day	Two or More Anglers	$200.00 per person
Full Day	Single Angler	$525.00 per person
Full Day	Two or More Anglers	$325.00 per person

*Hourly trips (less than 4 hours) can only be booked in-person at the lodge and are limited to walk/wade trips only.

Guided Fly Out Fishing

Full Day

Two or More Anglers

$500.00 per person*

*Minimum 2 persons, maximum 4 persons.

For more information about our fishery and the sport fishing opportunities available, click right here.

Katmailand, Inc. is authorized within Katmai National Park and Preserve to provide guided sport fishing and wildlife viewing services at Brooks Lodge.

Want to book a fishing guide during your stay at Brooks? Start your reservation today!

Find a variety of items for sale that may make your stay at Brooks more enjoyable.

Items Available at the Katmai Trading Post

• Personal Items: Toothpaste, insect repellent, soap, batteries, and tobacco.
• Food and Beverages: Candy, ice, soft drinks, and other snack items including trail mix, beef jerky, etc.
• Camp Stove Fuel: White gas, propane, & Jetboil fuel (propane/butane mix) available.
• Souvenirs: Hats, sweat shirts, t-shirts, post cards, coffee mugs, posters, film and more.
• Fishing Tackle: Line, leader, lures, flies and Alaska fishing licenses.
• Boat and Gear Rentals: Canoes, kayaks, chest waders, Swarovski binoculars, and single burner stoves available for rent. Bear resistant containers, showers, and towels also available for campers camping in the Brooks Camp campground.

2025 Boat and Gear Rental Rates

Chest Waders		$40.00 per day	$150.00 per week
Binoculars (Swarovski)		$30.00 per day
Canoe / Single Kayak	$15.00 per hour	$50.00 per day	$240.00 per week
Double Kayak	$20.00 per hour	$65.00 per day	$380.00 per week

Katmailand, Inc. is authorized within Katmai National Park and Preserve to provide gifts, merchandise, and rental gear at Brooks Lodge.

We got you covered, so what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip!

Can I drive to Brooks Lodge?

No, driving to Brooks Lodge is not possible. Like most of Alaska, there are no roads to our area and we are accessible by air only.

How long does it take to get there?

The flight from Anchorage to either King Salmon or Kulik Lodge (our sister lodge) is approximately 1 hour. To Brooks, it is another 25 minutes via float plane.

What are the rooms like at Brooks Lodge?

The 16 rooms at Brooks are all alike on the inside. They each have four twin sized bunk beds – two upper and two lower beds. Each room is heated and has a private shower and restroom. Some are individual cabins and some are attached. If any of the individual cabins are available the day you arrive, they will be assigned solely to whomever booked earliest (lowest reservation number). Brooks Lodge does not accept any room requests.

Can I do Laundry at Brooks Lodge

No. Laundry facilities are not available at the lodge.

Is there WiFi available at Brooks Lodge?

No. Internet service is not available at the lodge.

Are there a lot of bugs?

There can be depending on how dry or wet it has been. Some people choose to bring head nets. Most just bring a good insect repellent. We recommend something with a high DEET concentration for maximum effectiveness.

Can I pay for meals in advance?

Yes. When you make your reservation, you may specify that you would like to prepay for all or part of your meals with your package. Any amount may be paid in advance and you will be given a credit voucher in the amount you prepaid which can be used not only for meals, but also for anything while at the lodge.

Are cocktails available at Brooks Lodge?

Yes. Beverages at Brooks Lodge can be purchased in the main lodge during lunch and dinner times. Beverages typically include Alaskan Amber beer on tap, a selection of wines, and premium liquors.

Can I bring food into my room at Brooks?

No. Food or drinks of any kind (except water) are not allowed in the rooms at Brooks Lodge because of the chance of being visited by a bear.

How many nights can I stay?

If any one night is in July or September, there is a three night maximum stay. There is no limit to stays in June or August.

When are the salmon running?

Salmon runs vary from year to year and it is not possible to predict them with absolute accuracy. Most years, a large run of sockeye (red) salmon will begin to enter the Brooks River during the middle of June. This run continues through July and salmon usually begin to spawn in the Brooks River in early August. The spawn continues throughout August and peaks during early September.

Can I hike on my own in the Brooks area?

Yes, there are hiking trails in the park. Maps are available at the NPS Visitor Center next to the lodge.

How far away are the platforms for wildlife viewing?

There are three viewing platforms on the Brooks River, all within walking distance from the lodge. They range from 300 yards to one mile from the main lodge.

What is the weather like in Katmai?

The weather in Katmai is very unpredictable. Temperatures can range between 45 and 70 degrees and even lower in September. Wind and rain are common so bring layers that can be added or removed as the weather dictates.

Are you strictly a fly fishing only lodge?

On Brooks River below the bridge, you can use a spinning rod with a fly on the end. Above the bridge is fly fishing only. All of our guides are fly fishing instructors so if you would like to learn to fly fish, we can teach you during your stay.

How many guests are there to each guide?

The number of guests to each guide is 2 to 4 depending on the situation.

Can we take home the fish we catch?

Due to the short growing season and cold water temperatures in Alaska, resident fish grow and mature slowly. Guests are asked to release all their catch of resident freshwater fish. The Brooks River regulation allows 1 salmon per person per day to be kept, and it must be caught below the bridge.

How are fish packaged to take home?

The salmon you keep must be placed in a plastic bag and taken directly to the fish freezing building and frozen whole. The National Park Service does not allow any fish cleaning at Brooks. Fish boxes are available for purchase in the “Katmai Trading Post.” If you have a long distance to travel home, insulated fish boxes and freezer packs are available to purchase at a number of locations in Anchorage.

What is a fly out and where do you fly out to?

A fly out means that you take an airplane to a different river to fish for the day. We fly to many different areas depending on what type of fish you want to catch and where the best spot for that species is at the time you are there.

When is the best time to come?

Anytime is a good time at Brooks Lodge. Each time of the year provides a unique experience.

What type of fishing gear is used at the lodges?

Cabelas, Redington and Simms waders, and Redington and Sage rods equipped with Ross and Redington reels are included with any guided excursions that you choose to book. Fishing gear is also available to rent during the rest of your stay.

Can I use felt soled wading boots or wading boots with cleats?

No. The Alaska Board of Fisheries has deemed invasive species a significant potential threat to Alaska’s aquatic ecosystems. Effective January 1, 2012, felt-soled waders and wading boots will no longer be legal footwear when fishing in Alaska’s fresh waters. Wading boots with cleats are also not allowed at the lodges. Our lodges do have rubber soled wading boots for our lodge guests.

Don’t see the answer to your question? Contact our trip experts by clicking right here.

For further details on Katmai National Park, please visit the NPS website.

Guest lodging consists of sixteen rooms each with private facilities. All rooms feature the same layout with 2 sets of bunk beds that can accommodate up to four guests.

Each of our guest rooms include heat and electricity, along with a private toilet, a sink, and shower as well.

Although we’re here to help plan your trip, we do offer the following room-only rates for those looking to customize their own adventure.

2025 Room-Only Rates

One Room (max. occupancy 4 people)

$1150.00 per night*

*Prices are per room per night and does not include an additional 6% bed tax.

Katmailand, Inc. is authorized within Katmai National Park and Preserve to provide lodging services.

Need a room? Start planning your trip to Brooks today.