Visiting Katmai National Park for photography | Tips for photographing Bears at Brooks Falls

[@MrNegative]

Sigh. A made a few errors. First, if you're staying at the lodge, they drop your bags off at the lodge, no need to lug. If camping, your bags are taken to the lodge and you grab a cart there and take them to the campground. Carts are located near the lodge. Additionally... I apparently don't know what my favorite bear looks like because that's not Grazer on the falls.... :(

[@AZTravelers]

GREAT job on this video. SERIOUSLY GREAT WORK!!!

[@MrNegative]

Thank you!

[@drb9705]

Thanks for all the valuable info. Looks so much better than I had imagined!

[@MrNegative]

Thank you! This doesn't even scratch the surface. Next week you'll see a lot more of the actual park :)

[@kendellexplores8774]

Great video! Thanks so much for all of the helpful information!

[@MrNegative]

Thank you! I’m glad it was helpful!!

[@sarawilson9251]

My husband and I are starting to plan a trip to Katmai for 2024, and this is fabulous information!! Can’t wait for next week’s video! The pictures are amazing, by the way!! 💗🐻

[@MrNegative]

Thanks so much for watching and for the feedback. I'm glad it was helpful! I'm a little jealous about your trip but if you have any questions while you plan, just let me know.

[@PaddyHackettYoutube]

Did you see any bears while visiting brooks lake? Very helpful video, thank you!

[@MrNegative]

So glad it was helpful! We did not see any bears at the lake, unfortunately. We were told it’s common to see them though. They do have bear proof lockers there and the electrified fence around the eating area

[@kamv8360]

Fantastic video with loads of great information. Heading there in September and you’ve just answered many of the questions I had. Thanks and very well done.

[@MrNegative]

I’m very glad it was helpful! I felt like I went into my trip completely blind so I’m glad I can answer some of your questions. I hope you have a great trip!

[@kamv8360]

@@MrNegative We managed to get into the lodge for a few nights and the camera gear info and “bear walk” suggestion are very much appreciated.

[@MrNegative]

Ah, I’m so jealous! I hope you have a great time and that your weather is more cooperative than it was for me!

[@theguyinthenorthwest2571]

Awesome information. I'm leaving in 2 days to shoot on the Katmai Peninsula.

[@MrNegative]

So glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching!

[@annvarley9204]

Planning a bucket list trip for this July (2023) and found this information so helpful! Thank you. I'm grateful to know there is some order to time allowed at Brooks Falls since in my imagination it would be a free-for-all. I'm wondering though, just how much can actually be done for a one-day trip out there. I'm thinking I might have to do an overnighter at the lodge. This trip is only 6 months away basically ... better start confirming those plans!

[@MrNegative]

So glad it was helpful! I would DEFINITELY recommend an overnight if you can. It isn’t a massive park so you can certainly see a lot in a day trip but not having to rush is nice. They will also cancel day trips if the weather is expected to be bad and they aren’t sure they can get you back. This unfortunately happened to a lot of people during my trip as weather was miserable all week. Let me know if you have any questions. Such an incredible place, I hope to go back some day. Good luck!!

[@teresabass5306]

@@MrNegative Do you have any idea what happens if you can't fly out the day your camping reservation is over. I've never heard anyone discuss this. Do you have to backwoods camp?

[@MrNegative]

Teresa, this rarely happens. If the weather is bad, the airline will cancel day trips. All flights they CAN do that day will strictly be to shuttle overnight/campers. If all flights for the day are cancelled they will try and get you on a boat. But yes, if the weather is so bad both boats and planes aren’t going, you’ll be stuck. This is obviously rare. Our weather was terrible all week and we still got out. Day trips were mostly cancelled but we got out on one of only two flights that day. Unfortunately, it meant leaving a day early and sitting at the lodge all afternoon waiting for a plane to come in. If you do get stuck overnight you’d have the lodge, or camping. If none were available, rangers said they have set up cots in their buildings. It’s probably worth talking to your flight company and ask them what happens in the event of bad weather. Obviously good to hope for perfect weather but to know what to expect if that’s not what you get! I hope this info is helpful, have a good trip!!

[@lazytreee]

Thanks for the video - it’s very helpful. You recommended the river walk with a guide. I know it’s very early, but I’m doing my homework now for a trip to Brooks Falls in July 2023. I’m unable to find anything on the web to book a guided walk. Do you have any such info that you can pass along?

[@MrNegative]

Kent, so glad it was helpful. It’s definitely not too early to plan. I wish I had started earlier! The river walk would be through the lodge. They’re basically the only game in town. I believe they also do the shuttle to the land of ten thousand smokes

[@bridgetjantscher7897]

So glad I watched your video - like most people this is a dream trip. Being a novice photographer, I am trying to watch as many videos with advice before I go. I do have a 100-400 lens - but now I am wondering if I should splurge and get a 400. Can you tell me which 400 lens you liked and did you use any filters? Oh, one more thing - the river walk- is that best later in the day too or a good thing to do while the platforms are so busy? Thanks so much for your video - i was very helpful

[@MrNegative]

I’m so glad it was helpful! If your 100-400 is sharp at the 300-400mm range then you’ll be just fine. I used the 70-200 f4 and the 400mm f4. Both canon L series. If I could go back (some day I hope to) I would use that same combo and maybe a 1.4x teleconverter to get closer to the bears on the far end. For the river walk, I would think mid day when everyone else is on the platform would be ideal. Additionally, you’ll be shooting handheld so the extra light would be helpful. However, I imagine it’s amazing anytime you can go and see the bears at eye level. For filters, I didn’t use any because it was raining the entire time but can see where a polarizer might be advantageous mid day. Just keep in mind you’ll lose at least a stop of light and it might be better to have no filter and a faster shutter speed. Any other questions I can answer, let me know! Have a great trip!

[@deanherschede1760]

Very informative video, thanks. My wife and I have been to Katmai 4x and we are going back in Sept to stay 3 nights in a cabin (our 3rd in a cabin). I never knew about the permit to walk the river, thanks to you I do now. Question: is there a defined trail along the river? Thanks, Dean

[@MrNegative]

Wow! That’s incredible! I’d love to go back someday. Hopefully with better weather! There’s not a defined trail that I remember. Our guide basically took us on a route that avoided disturbing the bears. We crossed the river twice if I remember correctly. I hope you have a great trip!

[@sullivanimation]

This is a great video! Thanks for putting this together. My family and I are headed to Katmai in July and are very interested in the river walk, but I can't seem to find any specific information about the guided river walk or which permits are needed to do self guided. Do you happen to have a link or any additional info regarding that? Is the guided tour through the park, or an outside tour company? Thanks in advance!

[@MrNegative]

I’m so glad it was helpful! The guided tour was through the lodge. I wasn’t able to find info on it either but they are the only ones that do it. My recommendation would be to contact the rangers at the park. I don’t want to give you any outdated information and I know things are constantly changing. The rangers there are extremely helpful. I hope you get a chance to do the river walk, it was the highlight of our trip! Just an FYI most people that did the guided tour were fisherman so it might be advertised as some kind of fishing tour. I was definitely happy to have the guide as a few times I was so focused on taking pictures I didn’t notice the bears walking right up to us!

[@ShawnQuish0904]

Very helpful, going in July 2024.

[@MrNegative]

I’m glad it was helpful! I’m jealous, I’d love to get back out there.

[@toddm-j5150]

Fantastic video, very helpful thank you. I was able to reserve 7 nights at the campground in July for this year, curious about the river walk. You mentioned you got a permit after you had arrived but I've not seen anything where you can reserve that in advance prior to arrival. Any ideas??

[@MrNegative]

So glad it was helpful! Congratulations on getting the campsite. I’m so jealous. The river walk was through the lodge. It’s the same people that do the bus for the valley of 10,000 smokes. Their website will be separate from the NPS website. I’m not sure if it can be booked online or if you need to call. Good luck and enjoy!

[@toddm-j5150]

@@MrNegative I was stunned to get 7 nights, was hoping for 2 or 3 given the demand. What's your opinion of the 5.6 400mm lens, how is it for sharpness and detail??

[@MrNegative]

I LOVE my 400mm. I only paid about $500 (used) and it is one of my most used lenses. It’s a reasonable weight and it’s tack sharp. I had the 100-400 l and at 400mm it was nowhere near as sharp.

[@toddm-j5150]

@@MrNegative good to know thank you

[@jaredhartman1362]

I will be camping Brooks Camp in July this year. When you mention going to the River Walk at 10:57, where do you get that permit? Is it at the Visitor Center at Brooks Camp? Same question for booking the guided tour... Thank you!

[@MrNegative]

Ah, lucky you! It’s at the same place you book the tour to the valley of 10 thousand smokes. Small building across from the lodge. If you go to the brooks lodge website you should be able to find it. Or at least a phone number to call. Enjoy!

[@jaredhartman1362]

@@MrNegative Thank you!

[@StevenDavisPhoto]

I have a mini tripod that only occupies about an 8x8 inch area. I got it knowing about the tripod trule, wondering if I could put it on the railing on the platform. I would think that should be fine since it doesn't take up any extra standing space? Going mid July for 4 days/3 nights!

[@MrNegative]

I’m jealous! I hope you get good weather. I don’t think anyone will mind the small tripod but the platform shakes quite a bit from people moving. Especially the railing with people leaning on it. Just be careful it doesn’t get knocked off. Once the day trippers leave you’ll have a much easier time.

[@StevenDavisPhoto]

In mid july, I know the sunset will be late in the day. About how late is the light good at the falls? I'm looking forward to shooting for hours after the day trippers leave.

[@MrNegative]

Gosh it’s hard to say because I had dense cloud/rain my entire trip! Haha. I can say for sure you’ll have at least a few hours a day without the day trippers (morning and evening) so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to get the shots you’re looking for. Good luck and enjoy!