Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The floatplane ride from Kodiak to the lodge takes about 45 minutes.

We ask you to limit your total weight of baggage in and out of the lodge to less than 50 pounds per person. Soft-sided duffel-style bags are recommended, for easy packing inside Alaska’s classic “bush planes.”

Any additional planes or costs incurred by excess luggage weight are solely the guest’s responsibility. The float plane carrier’s office offers convenient luggage storage for any additional baggage you won’t need while at Katmai, available for quick pick up upon your return to Kodiak.

Weather delays are a realistic consideration when traveling throughout Alaska, so we strongly recommend securing Travel Insurance for your Alaska vacation.

We highly advise arriving in Kodiak one day before your lodge departure – avoiding any tight scheduling difficulties or weather delays. If you plan to fly from Kodiak to Anchorage the same day as departing the lodge at the end of your stay, we recommend reserving a flight to Anchorage that leaves Kodiak at 4:45 p.m. or later flights.

While bears are often seen right in the lodge area, most of your bear viewing takes place a short boat ride from the lodge, in the surrounding bay.

While Brown Bears take center stage at Katmai Wilderness Lodge, our area is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking wildlife. Here at Katmai, we frequently encounter sea otters, river otters, and seals, and on special occasions, you may see whales, wolves, fox, and moose. Because Katmai is on the ocean, you’ll have the rare opportunity to see both marine bird life and the majestic Bald Eagle.

Hiking is limited primarily to beach areas during low tide. Because of abundant wild plant life, the area’s vegetation is very thick, and most of the trails are bear trails – used by bears themselves.

One should be able to walk at least one mile on ungroomed trails. If you have walking limitations, please let us know upon inquiry.

Domestic beer and wine are served complimentary with meals. If you have special preferences, we ask that you purchase prior to departing for the lodge. There is a liquor store right in downtown Kodiak for picking up your desired wine, beer, or spirits.

Kodiak is a beautiful, small town with a rich history influenced by Native Culture, Russian ERA, World War II, USCG (United States Coast Guard), and is home to a rich fishing industry and Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. In addition to friendly locals, the town boasts several wonderful museums, restaurants, and shops – all within convenient walking distance of downtown hotels.

For your convenience, the lodge provides you rain gear and rubber hip waders for your daily excursions in the field. If you have special size requirements, please contact the lodge – we may encourage you to bring your own gear along with you.

We recommend you bring camera, memory cards/charger, binoculars, reusable water bottle, and a small backpack for the field. Pack fleece or synthetic clothing for layering (shirt/long underwear), wool/synthetic socks, hat, and light gloves. You’ll need a set of clothing for the field, one for lounging around the lodge, and a traveling set. Slippers are nice for the lodge area and your room. Pack sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray, personal bath kit (shampoo, toothbrush, razor, etc.), if a blow dryer is needed, please bring a small travel dryer with a “low wattage setting”. Because solar panels and wind generators power Katmai Wilderness Lodge, we ask that you use only energy efficient electrical devices.

Upon making your reservation, we ask for a US $500.00 per person, non-refundable deposit for each member of a client’s party, due within 30 days to secure requested reservation dates. In the event of a cancellation, a paid deposit will not be refunded but may be used on a one-time basis to secure a future reservation the following year. Client shall pay the remaining balance owed 60 days before scheduled reservation, or by April 15th, whichever comes first.

If the lodge is notified of a cancellation outside of 60 days before a client’s scheduled arrival date, 50% of the remaining balance due shall be refunded (this is the total due after the non-refundable deposit of $500 per person). Otherwise, client shall not be entitled to a refund.