DAY TRIP ADVENTURES
Experience Alaska’s untamed wilderness with Fat Bear Lodge.
Whether you’re watching bears at Brooks Falls or drifting quietly through tundra-lined creeks, unforgettable adventures await.
BEAR VIEWING AT BROOKS FALLS
No trip to Alaska would be complete without visiting the river where iconic brown bears fish for salmon at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park. At Fat Bear Lodge, this world-famous bear viewing experience is included as part of your stay.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
45 Minute Boat Ride: The Katmai Water Taxi takes us out to Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park. Enjoy a boat ride across Naknek Lake while staying warm and dry inside the boat cabin. If you’d like to fly instead, we can book a float plane or “air taxi” ride to Brooks for an additional cost.
Walk the well-maintained path: Trails lead you along the Brooks River and through the forest. The river often has massive Alaskan brown bears skillfully catching salmon, best viewed from platforms overlooking the famous Brooks Falls. This is a bear viewing experience in Alaska that has captivated wildlife enthusiasts from around the globe for decades.
Guided Excursion: Our certified and experienced guides will accompany you into the river for a fishing or river walk adventure, to ensure you get the best views while staying safe. You’ll have the chance to wade and fish alongside the bears as you catch and release salmon and trout in Brooks River. This is a great place to learn some fly fishing techniques, or even catch your first fish on a fly rod.
Packed Lunch: Our Lodge chef will pack a delicious and healthy lunch for your excursion. Take a break from the river, eat up, and then go back out for more adventure!
Fat Bear Week Preview: Visiting during September? You’ll get a front-row seat to start guessing which bear might earn the title of “Fat Bear Champion,” the season’s fattest and healthiest bear at Brooks!
This all-inclusive experience means you don’t need to worry about extra costs or logistics—we take care of everything from start to finish for this Alaskan adventure.
CREEK FLOAT
Hop aboard for our creek float, another included excursion tailored to nature lovers. Sit back and relax as your guide rows you down a gentle creek in one of our Flycrafts, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes. Wildlife sightings are always possible, and we offer fishing floats as well—if conditions are right you may have the chance to catch catch trout, Arctic grayling or even salmon.
We’ll outfit you in the Adventure Center with premium waders and boots to ensure you stay dry on your trip!
KAYAKING AT BROOKS
For a small fee, you can rent a kayak or canoe at Brooks Camp! Picture yourself paddling through the crystal-clear waters of Naknek Lake, surrounded by towering spruce trees and snow-capped mountains. Glide along the serene lake and prepare for the always-possible bear or eagle sighting. Enjoy the beautiful landscape as you watch float planes arrive and depart at Brooks.
We’ll arrange your round-trip travel via the Katmai Water Taxi to Brooks Camp for your Valley of 10,000 Smokes Tour. This remarkable journey takes you into the valley that shaped Katmai’s history and captured the world’s attention more than a century ago—where Novarupta’s massive eruption left behind an otherworldly, ash-filled landscape that remains stunningly visible today.
The Valley of 10,000 Smokes tour is operated by Brooks Camp for an additional fee and requires advance reservations. If you’d like to include this experience in your itinerary, Brooks Camp provides tour and ticket information at the link below.
To experience the Valley from a truly unforgettable vantage point, ask us about booking a scenic 10,000 Smokes flyover in a float plane (for an added fee).
TRANSPORTATION TO THE VALLEY OF 10,000 SMOKES TOUR
FISHING EXPERIENCES
Included in your stay, we offer guided fishing trips for salmon, trout, and other species—plus Brooks fishing adventures at no extra cost. Fly-out fishing is available for an additional fee. Visit our Fishing Experiences page to learn more!
OFF-ROAD ADVENTURES
SIDE-BY-SIDE TOUR
Explore rugged trails, rocky paths, and open tundra with our high-performance Alaskan side-by-side tour. Accommodating up to three passengers each, these vehicles are perfect for group outings or families looking for adventure. Your guide will lead you through Alaska’s terrain with stops at scenic viewpoints. Standard side-by-side tours are included with your stay, giving you the chance to experience a thrilling ride at no extra cost.
SHERP TOUR
For a truly unmatched off-road experience, upgrade your adventure with our included Alaskan Sherp tour. These all-terrain vehicles can handle marshes, rivers, and mud like no other, making them ideal for accessing areas of Alaska that other vehicles can’t reach. Our tour visits less rugged terrain—the rocky beach along Kvichak bay! Traverse along the shoreline and keep your eyes peeled for shorebirds and fishing boats in the distance. If you’re looking for an excursion that combines adventure and exclusivity, Sherp tours are a perfect choice.
WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED
Step into the Adventure Center, where we’ll gear you up with everything from premium waders and boots to helmets, gloves, and bug spray. This is also where we’ll meet to review all your excursion details and ensure everything is fully arranged. Our guides host occasional fly-tying nights here—stop by for a hands-on tutorial, music, and beverages!
*PLEASE NOTE: All excursions are weather dependent. In our part of Alaska conditions can change rapidly, and plans may need to adjust due to wind, fog, or other factors—your safety is always our top priority. We’ll communicate any changes promptly as soon as they arise. It’s all part of the Alaskan adventure, and we look forward to welcoming you!
PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE AT FAT BEAR LODGE
At Fat Bear Lodge, we’re passionate about crafting memorable, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Whether you’re captivated by bear viewing at Brooks Falls, eager to catch your first fish Alaskan rainbow on a fly rod, or ready to marvel at Alaskan walruses, there’s no shortage of adventures awaiting you. Contact us today to start planning your adventure.