Katmai National Park is a land of wilderness and unique geological features. Visit the park to learn about 9,000 years of human history and culture, and prepare to be amazed. Katmai National Park also harbors salmon and thousands of brown bears. It was established in 1918 to protect Novarupta, the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, and the surrounding areas after a volcanic eruption in 1912. Katmai will tell you the tale of retrieval of a lush landscape from an ash-filled wasteland.

Before traveling, give this guide a read. It covers everything you need to know before traveling, like the best season to go, popular activities, and information about travel insurance plans. Before you leave for Katmai National Park, buy a visitors medical insurance or travel insurance plan. They could help protect you from unexpected and expensive mishaps.

Katmai National Park's Most Popular Things to Do

Take Part in Adventure and Eco-Tours

Appreciating and understanding nature has been an important part of life in Alaska for years. Take an eco-tour to observe Alaska's natural wonders, uncontaminated and pristine landscapes, and its wildlife, geology, and lifestyle.

Take a Sled Drive

You won't need to visit during winter to get a dog sled ride in Alaska. Get a flavor of one of the north's greatest adventures. You can drive yourself or sit in the sled's basket and enjoy the ride. Local mushers also offer kennel tours and training rides.

Flight-Seeing

What can be more adventurous than taking flight over Alaska's wilderness? Explore areas of Alaska not accessible by any other means of transportation. You will see majestic mountains hurling into dark blue seas and glaciers, as well as the dramatic views of the setting or rising sun, especially in winter.

Take Part in Hiking and Ice-Climbing

There are countless hiking trails in Katmai National Park. Popular trails include Dumpling Mountain, Brooks Falls, and Oxbow Overlook Trail. Explore the trails, lose yourself in beautiful routes, and discover hidden gems nestled in the vast, open parklands of Alaska.

Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife viewing is a year-round attraction in the park. Go out with a pair of binoculars, and grab a view of animals like moose, bears, eagles, and whales.

Key Guidelines for Travelers in Katmai National Park

Stay Safe From Bears

Prepare yourself mentally for the fact that you might encounter a bear during your trip to Katmai National Park. The best defense is knowledge of bear biology, ecology, and behavior. Take precautions like carrying a bear spray before visiting Katmai to protect yourself.

When to Go

Bear viewing is the most attractive activity in the park. You can watch dozens of brown bears snapping up salmon traveling upstream between July and September. Avoid winter, because the park becomes freezing cold.

Transportation

If you do not have a personal vehicle, you should rent a car. Visit Anchorage and rent a car from any of the major rental agency offices, and venture out on road trips in the wilderness.

Where to Stay

Like any other national park, lodges are available inside the park's premises. One of the most popular lodges is the Brooks Lodge. You can also camp for a couple of days at Brooks Campground. There are 18 sites in Katmai National Park with all the necessary camping facilities.

Book Travel Insurance Plans

Before you go, buy a visitors medical insurance plan or a trip cancellation insurance plan. Doing so can help ensure that you don't lose unnecessary funds due to medical emergencies or unexpected cancellation charges. To learn more about travel insurance plans, read the next sections.

Visitors Medical Insurance for Travelers in Katmai National Park - FAQs

Nobody expects a medical emergency on a vacation. However, you should prepare for the possibility, especially while traveling to a national park. You will be engaging in a lot of adventurous activities. If you suffer from an illness or accident, you might lose thousands of dollars on treatment. As a financial safety net against medical emergencies, book a visitors medical insurance plan.

Why buy visitors medical insurance before traveling to Katmai National Park?

The cost of healthcare in the U.S. is every bit as expensive as you've heard about. It is not advised to seek any significant degree of medical treatment without health insurance. If you're participating in any rugged, outdoor activities, your chance for injury increases. Likewise, if you experience an injury in a remote section of the park, you would face the added expense of emergency medical evacuation. In short, to travel smart, travel with visitors health insurance.

What should I look for in my Katmai National Park visitors medical insurance?

1. Coverage for emergency medical expenses
2. Ability to extend the duration of or cancel your coverage
3. Emergency medical evacuation coverage
4. Coverage for an instance of acute onset of pre-existing conditions

At a private medical facility, the cost of treatment can mount up to tens of thousands of dollars. To avoid paying such hefty bills, buy visitors medical insurance.

Trip Cancellation Insurance for Travelers in Katmai National Park - FAQs

A trip cancellation insurance plan allows you to travel in the most financially secure way possible. Book a trip cancellation insurance plan for coverage if you need to cancel your trip suddenly.

Why should I get trip cancellation insurance for my Katmai National Park travels?

Trip cancellation insurance can reimburse you up to 100% of your prepaid, non-refundable trip expenses (such as plane tickets, lodging reservations, etc.) if you have to cancel your trip for a reason covered under your policy. Be sure to review your plan's certificate wording before purchase for a full list of reasons eligible for benefits. The reasons vary by plan, but the most common reasons for cancellation—like falling ill before a trip, a family member getting sick or dying, or a work-related emergency—are usually covered under a basic plan.

What should I look for in my Katmai National Park trip cancellation insurance?

1. Trip cancellation insurance for a covered reason
2. Trip interruption insurance for a covered reason
3. Trip delay coverage
4. Missed connection coverage
5. Baggage loss coverage

Buy travel insurance, and stop worrying about undue monetary losses due to cancellation charges. Again, be sure to check your insurance plan's certificate wording (before you purchase) to make sure that the plan meets your requirements.

Before You Travel to Katmai National Park: Do This

You are almost ready to travel to Katmai National Park. Before you go, consider these suggestions.

1. If you encounter a bear, distance yourself and call the park's help line number or 9-1-1.
2. Carry waterproof garments, spare clothes, and extra food.
3. Do not start your journey unless you have adequate travel insurance or visitors medical insurance coverage. Enter some basic information about your trip and travelers, compare your options, and select the plan that best fits your needs. With travel insurance, you and your group can enjoy your trip without worrying about your financial situation.

DISCLAIMER: The information within this article is intended as a broad summary of benefits and services and is meant for informational purposes only. The information does not describe all scenarios, coverages or exclusions of any insurance plan. The benefits and services of an insurance plan are subject to change. This is not your policy/certificate of insurance. If there is any discrepancy between the information in this article and the language of your policy/certificate wording, the language of the policy/certificate wording will prevail.