Katmai Bear Cam Live: Brooks Falls Brown Bears Alaska
Watch hundreds of Alaskan brown bears feast on the world's largest sockeye salmon run at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park. The iconic explore.org + NPS live bear cam returns annually — multiple camera angles from Brooks Falls, The Riffles, Lower River, and River Watch. The 2025 season marked the cam's 13th year. Chat with park rangers live and vote in the annual Fat Bear Week competition each October.
VIEW KATMAI BEAR CAM →Katmai National Park & Preserve in remote southwestern Alaska hosts the world's most-watched wildlife live webcam — the Brooks Falls Brown Bear Cam. Operated through a partnership between Explore.org and the National Park Service, the bear cam network captures hundreds of Alaskan brown bears fishing during the world's largest sockeye salmon run. The 2025 season marked the cam's 13th year — per Explore.org, the livestream began June 18, 2025. Katmai supports approximately 2,200 brown bears — the largest concentration of brown bears in North America. The Brooks Falls site is the iconic salmon-jumping spot where bears line up to catch airborne salmon as they try to swim upstream to spawn. The cam's most famous annual tradition is "Fat Bear Week" — a bracket-style October competition where viewers vote for the bear that has packed on the most weight in preparation for hibernation. Explore.org also hosts live ranger-led chat sessions where viewers can ask questions about bear behavior, salmon biology, and park ecology.
Katmai Bear Cam Coverage
Brooks Falls Cam
Most iconic view
The classic "bear at the top of the falls catching a jumping salmon" view. Peak activity July-August.
The Riffles Cam
100 yards downstream
Located 100 yards downstream of Brooks Falls. Great for cub + sow family views.
Lower River Cam
Brooks River meets Naknek Lake
Mother bears and cubs frequent the lower river mouth where Brooks River meets Naknek Lake.
River Watch Cam
Underwater + bridge-mounted
Mounted on the floating bridge over Brooks River. Shows underwater salmon migrating + bears "snorkeling" for them.
Live Chat + Fat Bear Week
Ranger-hosted sessions
Current and former park rangers discuss bear facts and answer viewer questions. Annual Fat Bear Week bracket competition in October.
Remote Access Only
Plane or boat access
Katmai National Park is accessible only by plane or boat from Anchorage or King Salmon, AK. No roads.
Bear Photography Regulations
Strict NPS protocols
In-person bear viewing strictly regulated. Brooks Camp has viewing platforms with bear-safe protocols.
When to Watch Katmai Bear Cam
Katmai Bear Cam Peak Windows
- Season opening (mid-June) — Bears emerging from hibernation, salmon run ramping up
- July peak — Salmon run at maximum — classic jumping-salmon photos
- August peak — Bears packing on weight — most photogenic "fat bear" behavior
- September transition — Cubs growing, fewer salmon but still active
- Fat Bear Week (annual Oct bracket) — Viewer-voted competition — thousands of votes daily
- October close — Cameras typically shut down as bears head to dens
- Hibernation (Nov-May) — No bear cam activity — winter landscape views
- Live ranger chats — Scheduled throughout the season, check Explore.org for times
- Cub season (May-July) — First-year cubs learning to fish from mothers
View Katmai Bear Cam Live
Watch Alaska brown bears at Brooks Falls 24/7 during bear season via Explore.org.
VIEW KATMAI BEAR CAM →Pro Tip: Fat Bear Week + Katmai in Person
The Fat Bear Week tradition makes October a peak viewing month for the cam — even though actual bear activity is winding down. Each year, Explore.org runs a bracket-style competition where viewers vote for the bear that has packed on the most weight for hibernation. Bear 747 (nicknamed "Fat Bear" literally), Otis, and Grazer are legendary past winners. The voting happens on Explore.org's Fat Bear Week page typically early October.
For in-person visits:
- Access only by plane or boat — no roads to Katmai
- Fly to King Salmon, AK from Anchorage (~1 hour flight) — then small plane or floatplane to Brooks Camp
- Bear viewing permits required; Brooks Camp has strict daily visitor limits
- Book 6-12 months ahead — high-season slots fill fast
- Peak season: mid-July when salmon jumping is most active
For other spectacular wildlife cams, see Yellowstone Old Faithful, Kilauea Volcano, and Niagara Falls live webcam.
For Alaska travelers, see our Alaska traffic cameras guide, Port of Seattle cruise guide (gateway to Alaska cruises), Yellowstone National Park guide, Grand Canyon guide, Zion National Park guide, Glacier NP / Going-to-the-Sun Road guide, Yosemite guide, Kilauea Volcano live webcam, Kennedy Space Center launch cams, and Niagara Falls live webcam.
Watch Bears Live at Brooks Falls
Stream Katmai National Park brown bears 24/7 during bear season via Explore.org.
VIEW KATMAI BEAR CAM →When does the Katmai bear cam turn on?
Typically mid-June each year as bears emerge from hibernation and salmon runs begin. The 2025 season started June 18 per Explore.org. Cameras typically stay on through mid-October.
What is Fat Bear Week?
An annual bracket-style October competition where viewers vote for the bear that has packed on the most weight in preparation for hibernation. Run by Explore.org each October. Notable past winners include Otis, 747, and Grazer.
How many bears are in Katmai National Park?
Approximately 2,200 brown bears — the largest concentration in North America. Brooks Falls itself sees dozens of bears simultaneously during peak salmon runs.
Are Katmai bear cams free to watch?
Yes. Explore.org bear cams are completely free — no signup required to watch. The ranger chat feature is also free.
Can I visit Katmai in person?
Yes, but access is complex — only by plane or boat. Most visitors fly to King Salmon, AK from Anchorage (~1 hour), then take a small plane or floatplane to Brooks Camp. Strict daily visitor limits. Book 6-12 months ahead.
Ready to Watch Brown Bears Live?
Stream Katmai National Park Brooks Falls 24/7 during bear season — free, no sign-up via Explore.org.
VIEW KATMAI BEAR CAM →