How to Get to King Salmon, Alaska: The Complete Travel Guide

King Salmon is a small remote town in southwest Alaska that serves as the gateway to the famous Katmai National Park. Located about 280 miles southwest of Anchorage King Salmon has a population of only around 350 people. However, its location makes it an extremely popular summer destination for fishing, bear viewing, and exploring the Alaska wilderness.

If you’re planning a trip to King Salmon, the first major decision is figuring out how to actually get there. Since it is such an isolated location, there are limited transportation options. This article will walk you through everything you need to know about traveling to King Salmon, from flying and charter planes to lodging and local activities.

Overview of King Salmon, Alaska

Before diving into the transportation details let’s do a quick overview of King Salmon and why you might want to visit this remote part of Alaska

• King Salmon is the gateway to Katmai National Park – Katmai is famous for bear viewing, especially at Brooks Falls where bears gather to feed on salmon. King Salmon has planes and boats that provide transportation to the park.

• World-class fishing – The Bristol Bay region around King Salmon is home to some of the best salmon fishing in the world. You can catch sockeye, king, silver, and chum salmon.

• Seeing the Alaskan wilderness – Katmai National Park is a beautiful wilderness area with lakes, waterfalls, and mountains. The nearby Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes is also a huge draw.

• Small town experience – With under 400 year-round residents, King Salmon provides a unique small Alaskan town experience.

Now let’s look at how you can actually get to King Salmon to enjoy all it has to offer.

Flying is the Only Way to Get to King Salmon

The first thing to know is that there are no roads that connect King Salmon to any other part of Alaska. The only way to access King Salmon is by plane. You’ll need to fly into King Salmon from either Anchorage or Kodiak.

Here are the airlines that provide flights:

• Alaska Airlines – Provides multiple daily flights from Anchorage to King Salmon. Roundtrip usually costs around $400 per person.

• Ravn Alaska – Regional airline that offers seasonal service from Anchorage. Rates around $300 one-way.

• Katmai Air – Small charter airline with float planes and PC-12s from Anchorage. Rates around $900+ roundtrip.

I recommend booking with Alaska Airlines if possible. We’ve flown with them many times and find their service to be the most convenient and affordable.

Flights are about 1 hour 40 minutes from Anchorage to King Salmon. Keep in mind flights can sell out during peak summer season, so book early.

Charter Flights to Access Brooks Camp in Katmai

Once you arrive in King Salmon, many visitors want to take a charter flight or boat to access Brooks Camp in Katmai National Park. This is the most famous bear viewing area where you can see bears feasting on salmon at the Brooks Falls viewing platform.

Here are the main companies that provide transportation to Brooks Camp:

• Katmai Air – Float plane charters from King Salmon to Brooks Camp.

• Katmai Expeditions – Offers boat rides and float plane charters from King Salmon to Brooks Camp.

• Branch River Air – Another float plane charter company serving Brooks Camp.

I recommend Katmai Expeditions since they offer both boats and planes, giving you flexibility. A day trip to Brooks Camp typically costs $700+ per person including airfare.

When to Visit King Salmon

If you’re planning a trip to King Salmon, the best time to visit depends on your priorities:

• Fishing – Peak fishing season is from June to early September when all 5 species of Pacific salmon are running. Late June/early July is best for sockeye salmon.

• Bear viewing – Bears at Brooks Camp are best viewed from late June through early September when salmon are present. July/August are the peak months.

• Avoiding crowds – May through mid-June and September are less crowded. But some lodging/activities may not be available yet or may have limited hours.

Personally, I recommend visiting in August. There are still lots of bears at Brooks Camp, but slightly smaller crowds than July. The weather is pleasant with highs around 60°F.

Lodging Options in King Salmon

As a small town, lodging is fairly limited in King Salmon. Here are the main hotel choices to consider:

• Katmai B&B – Offers private rooms/cabins for up to 6 people. Includes transportation, breakfast, and help planning your itinerary.

• Bear Trail Cabins – Budget cabins located about 2 miles outside of town. Also has RV camping areas.

• Antlers Inn – Simple hotel located right in town near the general store.

• King Salmon Suites – Another no-frills hotel option in town.

There are also a few vacation rental cabins available. I recommend booking early as options fill up fast, especially in peak summer.

Getting Around King Salmon

Once in King Salmon, there are a couple transportation options:

• Rent a car – You can rent a car from Anchorage and take it on the plane to King Salmon. Gives you freedom to explore on your own.

• Local shuttle services – Many lodges like Katmai B&B offer shuttle service around town and to the airport.

• Taxis – There is a small local taxi company, but they have limited availability.

Renting a car is the best option if you want maximum flexibility. If not, shuttle services from local lodges work quite well to get around town and to the airport.

Things to Do in King Salmon

Here are some of the top attractions and activities around King Salmon:

• Visit Brooks Camp in Katmai National Park for bear viewing

• Go fishing for salmon, trout, grayling, and more on the Naknek River

• Tour the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes via bus from King Salmon

• Walk around King Salmon town and check out the local shops and restaurants

• Take a floatplane tour for aerial views of the Bristol Bay region

• Go hiking in Katmai National Park to see the waterfalls, rivers, and volcanic landscapes

• Take a wildlife cruise down the Naknek River to see bears, eagles, and more

Dining and Shopping in King Salmon

Dining and shopping options are somewhat limited due to the small size of King Salmon. Here are the main places to check out:

• Sockeye Restaurant – Local diner open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Best place in town.

• Eddie’s Fireplace Inn – Bar and grill with pub food and drinks. Popular local hangout.

• Alaska Commercial Store – General store for picking up groceries, gear, souvenirs and more.

There are also a couple other small cafes and shops around town. I recommend bringing extra snacks and food items as selection is minimal.

Hopefully this guide provided you with all the key details for planning a trip to the remote yet incredible town of King Salmon, Alaska. The limited flight options make it a bit tricky to reach, but well worth it for the world-class fishing, bear viewing, and Alaska wilderness experiences. Feel free to reach out if you need any additional tips for visiting King Salmon!