Brooks Falls Katmai Bear Viewing in a Float Plane

Overview

Available languages

English

Mobile ticket

Wildlife Photography Trip of a Lifetime!

Highly experienced Bush Pilot !

Smaller groups for a better experience!

Additional Info

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Due to weight / balance of the aircraft, passengers must weigh less than 225 lbs.

Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

Children must be accompanied by an adult

Do NOT bring bear spray

Bring camera, rain gear, water and a snack Do NOT bring fish products of any kind

Not reccommended for travelers with mobility issues

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

What‘s Included

All Fees and Taxes

Friendly Staff

Snacks

Tips for Pilot/Guides

What To Expect

Brooks Falls

The Air Taxi flight is approximately 1.5 hours each way and you will spend approx 3 hours on the ground as the pilot waits for you to complete your trip! (weather can affect time on ground) If you are looking for the iconic bear catching jumping salmon then this is the trip for you! The trip begins with a float plane flight to Brooks Camp in Katmai National Park. Once we land on the lake you will go to the visitor center for a Bear Etiquette film and briefing given by the Rangers at Brooks Camp, next you hike to the falls and view bears from the safety of platforms built by the National Park Service. The main falls platform is about a 1.5 mile walk from the Visitor Center. You walk at your own pace here and there are outhouses and other facilities..

3 hours • Admission Included

Options

Brooks Falls Katmai Bear Viewing in a Float Plane

Reviews

4.68

41 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Extremely recommendable, even close bear encounter possible
Lutz A,
Sep 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Phantastic experiance! The flight in the very small plane with a nice pilot is an experiance on its own, but better be not too much afraid of hights( depths) when sitting at the window, can be scary( that's no Boeing or Airbus!!) . . then unforgettable bear sightings. There is an instruction how to behave at a bear encounter as there is no guide! You are on Your own.... No bear spray allowed ( only the rangers have one). We were confonted with a bear two times directly on the path and had to retract behind the trees and let the bear pass in only 5 yards distance, once in a lifetime experiance!!! At Brooks Falls watching the bears catching and eating salmons, view and foto from a safe platform ( no extreme tele-lenses necessery unless You want a closeup of bear teeth) Highly recommendable!
Unforgettable and exiting
Margit E,
Sep 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
We had a wonderful flight and an amazing time with the bears - unforgettable and exiting! We'd like to do it again!
Although expensive, it is...
Natalie t,
Sep 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Although expensive, it is worth it if you like to see bears up close in their natural environment and not in the zoo.
Bear viewing at Brooks Falls will not disappoint
selbyfarm,
Aug 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I used Rust's Flying Service to take a one day trip to Brooks Camp to view brown bears feeding on salmon. As this trip was near the end of the peak feeding season for bears in the Brooks River (July 30), the total number of bears that I saw during the 5 hours I was at Brooks Camp was about 20. The first bears I saw were a mother a two cubs which greeted us at the beach. As there were still many salmon in the river, bears were scattered along the length of the river. There were about 20 float planes docked on the beach at the time of our visit, and the pilot stated that he had seen as many as 30 to 40 planes at peak times. The viewing experience is well managed by the NPS with an informative briefing at the outset, and 30 minute timed windows for viewing at the falls to accommodate a maximum number of visitors. As bears were scattered along the river, there were opportunities to view bears while awaiting a turn at the falls. I was able to get two, 30 minutes of time at the falls during my visit, but there were no bears in the immediate vicinity of the falls during my second 30 minute window. While the actual number of bears feeding at one time at the falls was lower than I expected, it was a fantastic experience.
Long flight but worth it....
Carol W,
Aug 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Long flight but worth it. Saw only a few bears but saw one catch several fish. Looked like it had been feeding for quite some time!!
Katmai National Park with Bears
carolk372,
Jul 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
An amazing experience. Flights on a Dehaviland float plane with Dave were wonderful. Bears at the falls were plentiful.
Loved every minute!
Victoria P,
Jul 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Excellent experienced pilot and person!! Loved every minute. From the time we took off I fekt very safe. We flew over beautiful landscape. Our pilot was clear with instruction when we landed. The bears & experience were phenomenal.
Best guided tour
633patiencee,
Jul 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was the best tour of my trip to Alaska! Very professional, knowledgeable, and meticulous in ensuring safety. Incredible display of nature
Great adventure
Helena G,
Jul 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Wonderful experience. Smooth plane ride with great views. Amazing experience watching the bears. Staff was friendly and helpful
Amazing bucket list experience
Valeria S,
Jul 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
100000/10 experience! Would recommend to anyone. The entire tour was amazing. The flight was smooth, safe, and comfortable. We went at a perfect time in the afternoon when the crowds were gone and got to spend extra time by the falls. More bears than we could count.