See The Internet's Favorite Wildlife At This Iconic Alaska Park
By Mina Elwell
VACATIONS
Alaska's Katmai National Park and Preserve is home to more than 2,000 brown bears, and many gather in the same place to hunt for fish throughout the summer.
Brooks River Falls in Katmai National Park may be the single best place to see bears in the world. Sometimes, as many as 50 individual bears gather together in the river at once.
These bears are beloved online. Explore.org runs livestreams of the bears fishing, and fans vote for which bear they think has gained the most weight during Fat Bear Week.
"People watching online can get very attached to the bears by name. Some people travel to Brooks Camp, specifically looking for their bears," says former ranger Kelli McMahan.
Katmai National Park has platforms allowing visitors to safely observe the mammals in person, and a park ranger will teach you how to stay safe around the many bears.
The famous Falls Platform only allows 40 people at a time, but people cycle through quickly. Park guests can stay at the nearby Brooks Lodge or make reservations for a campground.