Brooks Camp Campground reservation at Katmai: what applies in 2026?

Direct answer

Brooks Camp Campground reservation (required to camp within 1.5 miles of Brooks Camp)

Exact conditions

Status: Required under the listed conditions
Applies to: overnight guests
Place or corridor: Brooks Camp Campground, inside the Brooks Camp Developed Area (a 1.5-mile radius around Brooks Camp). Wilderness camping outside that radius is free and needs no permit.
Effective dates: May 1, 2026 through October 31, 2026
Published fee: $18
Release model: fixed date

Release detail: Released in three blocks for 2026: January 7, 2026 for nights May 1 - June 30; February 7 for July 1 - August 31; March 7 for September 1 - October 31. All released at 8 a.m. AKST (12 p.m. EST).

Fee detail: $18 per person per night June 1 - September 17; $10 per person per night May 1-31 and September 18 - October 31. Fees are per person, not per group. Access and Senior pass holders get 50% off, card holder only.

Exceptions and limits

Wilderness camping is allowed everywhere in Katmai outside the 1.5-mile Brooks Camp radius, with no fees or permits required.
Campers are limited to 7 nights in July and 14 nights per calendar year; group size limited to 6.

Open the official action page

Official source

National Park Service · reviewed August 27, 2026

On January 7, 2026 reservations for the nights of May 1-June 30 will be available. On February 7 reservations for July 1-August 31 will be available. On March 7 reservations for September 1-October 31 will be available. Reservations are released at 8 a.m. AKST (12 p.m. EST) on their release date.

Campgrounds - Katmai National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)