Eighteen volcanoes straddle Katmai National Park and Preserve, which is especially popular for its Valley of Ten Thousand Clouds. Of the number, seven are active volcanoes. The park covers an expansive 4,093,077 acres of land in Alaska.
There are beautiful landscapes and stunning views at the park but it remains largely undeveloped, which is why less than 10,000 people visit it every year.
History
Artifacts found in the area indicate that people lived there thousands of years ago. There was also evidence of an abandoned village near the Savonoski River. But it was the arrival of fur-trading Russians that spurred activities in the area in the 1800s. A few Europeans homesteaded in the area, too.
The 1912 eruption of the Novarupta volcano changed the landscape and the course of Katmai. In 1918, the area was declared a national monument to protect the Valley of Ten Thousand Clouds of smoke. Finally recognizing that the area is more than just volcanoes and that it is rich in vegetation and wildlife, it was established as a national park on Dec. 2, 1980.
Places to go
Valley of Ten Thousand Clouds of smoke
This is a geological marvel and a must-see when in the park. This is a valley filled with ash flow from the Novarupta eruption in 1912. It is named as such because of the thousands of fumaroles formed after the eruption. Most of the fumaroles, though, are now extinct. But the landscape is still a favorite subject among artists and photographers.
Old Savonoski Site
Related to the 1912 Novarupta eruption, this spot that has been entered into the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1978. There used to be a native community in this area and is believed to have been buried by ash from the major volcanic activity.
Brooks Falls
This is a place where visitors can see dozens of bears. July is the best time to see bears in the area when they go down to Brooks Falls, from their hibernation. The body of water is popular among bears for its salmon. Watching these adorable-looking mammals catching fish, is a great way to spend one’s time at the national park and preserve.
Volcanoes
There are 18 of them, and visitors should at least check out a few others aside from the Valley of Ten Thousand Clouds of smoke.
Things to do
Sightseeing and bear watching are popular activities at the park, but for the more adventurous visitors, the area is also great for the more strenuous pursuits like the following:
Canoeing & kayaking.
The paddling opportunities at the park’s rivers and lakes are awesome. But adventure-seekers have to plan for multi-day paddling if they want to enjoy the park’s coastline, which covers at least 400 miles. A popular route is the Savonoski Loop. Whitewater rafters can do American Creek, Funnel Creek, and Moraine Creek.
Naknek Lake is also a popular place to do some paddling. It is the largest American lake to be located in a park.
Hiking, backpacking & camping
As most undeveloped national parks in Alaska, there are minimal hiking trails at Katmai National Park and Preserve. This is why hiking is better left to the experienced adventurers. Hikers, backpackers, and campers have to wing it when it comes to trails, so they must have a map of the park with them.
Among the most popular trekking destinations in the park are the Baked Mountain, Broken Mountain, and Falling Mountain.
Fishing
Brooks Camp is a great place to stay because of its proximity to Brooks Falls, where sockeye salmon and other fish species are abundant. But visitors don’t have to limit themselves at Brooks Camp, as there are many rivers and streams in the park. The other freshwater sources are rich in Coho salmon, dolly and grayling Varden and rainbow trout.
Swimming
The Katmai coastline is unbelievably beautiful and inviting. Visitors should at least take a dip in the park’s purplish water. Lucky tourists might even have a chance to swim with the bears—but they should keep a safe distance.
Wildlife
Bears are the most popular residents of the park, but there are close to 30 other species of mammals that live in the park, as well as some 137 species of birds and over 25 fish species.
Tourists might spot some animals in the park, which include beavers, brown bears, coyotes, lynxes, martens, minks, moose, porcupines, snowshoe hares, red foxes, river otters, timber wolves, weasels, and wolverines.