I think you’re probably reading this because you want to know how to get to King Salmon or Katmai National Park. We will cover what air carrier options exist, who we fly with, and the approximate costs.
First things first: we know how hard it is to get to King Salmon because we’ve lived there since 2017. We have seen new airlines come and go, months with no scheduled service, and prices that were out of this world. Trust me, we’ve seen it all.
To be honest, there is only one way to get to King Salmon town. It’s not possible to get to King Salmon by ship or road. There are about 280 miles between King Salmon and Anchorage. It is the closest town to Katmai National Park’s famous Brooks Falls. King Salmon is about 100 miles from Kodiak Island and 180 miles from Homer.
King Salmon is a remote fishing town located in southwest Alaska that serves as the gateway to the famous Brooks River and Katmai National Park. Getting to this secluded gem takes a bit more planning than your average vacation spot, but the journey is well worth it for the chance to experience unspoiled Alaskan wilderness and world-class salmon fishing.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get yourself to King Salmon Alaska. You’ll learn about your transportation options when to visit, where to stay, what to pack, and insider tips from locals who call King Salmon home. Let’s dive in!
Overview of King Salmon, Alaska
Before detailing how to get there, here’s a quick overview of King Salmon:
-
Located 280 miles southwest of Anchorage in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska
-
Population around 300 people
-
No roads lead to King Salmon. The only access is by air or boat.
-
Serves as the gateway town to Katmai National Park and Brooks Camp.
-
Known for incredible salmon fishing on rivers like the Naknek River.
-
Closest town to the famous brown bears of Brooks Falls prime bear viewing location
-
Summers are mild, with average highs of 60-70°F. Winters are cold and dark.
-
Very remote Alaskan wilderness with pristine nature and wildlife.
Flying is the Only Way to Get to King Salmon
The first thing to know is that the only way to travel to King Salmon is by air. There are no roads or ferries that connect this isolated town to other parts of Alaska. The nearest road system ends in Anchorage, 280 miles northeast.
You’ll need to book a flight to the King Salmon Airport (AKN) either directly from your home city, or via a connection through Anchorage, which serves as the main travel hub for southwest Alaska.
Be sure to account for the King Salmon leg of your journey when booking your tickets. You don’t want to end up stranded in Anchorage!
Flight Options to King Salmon Airport
Here are the main airlines that offer regular flights between Anchorage and King Salmon:
-
Alaska Airlines – Year-round flights starting around $300-500 round trip depending on season. Typically the most affordable and convenient option.
-
Ravn Alaska – Seasonal flights from May-August for around $300 one-way.
-
Katmai Air – Charter float plane service from $900+ round trip.
-
Grant Air – Charter flights via float plane or wheel plane. Call for pricing.
Alaska Airlines operates 1-2 direct flights daily year-round from Anchorage to King Salmon on 76-passenger Boeing 737s. This is generally the best bet for most travelers.
Ravn Alaska offers more limited seasonal service on smaller planes like the Dash 8. Katmai Air and Grant Air provide charter float plane trips to access remote areas, but these are quite expensive.
No matter which airline you choose, be sure to book well in advance since seats fill quickly during the summer season. Flights departing Anchorage in the morning tend to be cheaper.
When to Visit King Salmon
Due to its remote location and small size, King Salmon is definitely a seasonal destination. Here’s a quick look at the best times to visit:
-
June-August – The most popular season with mild weather and nearly 20 hours of daylight. Prime for fishing, bear viewing, and outdoor activities.
-
September – Fewer crowds, lower prices, and still pleasant weather. Fishing winds down but bears remain active.
-
April-May – Affordable flights and lower crowds before peak season. Spot whales on Alaska Peninsula.
-
November-March – Very limited amenities open in winter. Short days and frigid temps. Best for Northern Lights.
Most visitors come between June-September to take advantage of the long summer days and bountiful salmon runs that draw both anglers and bears. However, the shoulder seasons of May and September offer similar scenery with fewer crowds and cheaper airfare.
Lodging Options in King Salmon
As a small town, lodging choices in King Salmon are limited, so it’s best to book early. Here are some of the main options near the airport:
-
King Salmon Inn – Mid-range hotel with clean rooms, restaurant, and bar.
-
Bear Trail Inn – Budget rooms and RV sites with shuttle service available.
-
Antlers Inn – Simple accommodations and a decent diner.
-
Owl Ridge Campground – Tent camping sites and RV hookups just 5 miles from town.
-
Bristol Inn – Newly built rooms with a great location near the airport.
Many visitors choose to stay right in King Salmon before transferring to Brooks Camp or a remote lodge via floatplane for the wilderness portion of their trip. Secure your King Salmon stay well ahead of time.
What to Pack for Your Trip
Due to its remote setting and variable weather, packing properly for your trip to King Salmon is key. Here are some Alaska essentials to include:
-
Layers – Light shirts, fleece, waterproof jacket for variable temps.
-
Rain gear – Pants and jacket; precipitation is frequent.
-
Hiking shoes – For walking on rough terrain and wet surfaces.
-
Bug spray – Mosquitoes and flies can be thick, especially in June.
-
Binoculars – For viewing bears and other wildlife from a safe distance.
-
Camera – For capturing Alaska’s incredible scenery.
-
Motion sickness medicine – For windy bush plane flights.
-
Cash – Some businesses in town may not take credit cards.
Pack for function over fashion – you want durable, outdoor-oriented clothing that can handle Alaska’s elements. It’s also wise to bring any medications, toiletries, or specialized gear needed for activities like fishing.
Getting Around King Salmon
Once you arrive in King Salmon, you’ll need to get around this small town that spans just a few miles. Here are your ground transportation options:
-
Rent a car – Allows freedom to explore at your own pace. Reserve well in advance.
-
Book a shuttle – Local hotels offer shuttle service to key destinations.
-
Taxi – On-demand rides available, but pricey.
-
Bike – Bring or rent a bike to cover ground like the locals.
-
Walk – The town is compact enough for walking between main attractions.
Driving or biking between your hotel, the airport, restaurants, and fishing charters offers the most flexibility. However, staying near your primary destinations also cuts down on transportation needs.
Insider Tips for an Awesome Visit
To wrap up this guide, here are a few insider tips for an amazing trip to King Salmon:
-
Fly Alaska Airlines and sign up for text flight alerts in case of delays or cancellations.
-
Book all King Salmon accommodations, tours, and transportation at least 6 months out.
-
Visit in September to see bears fishing for salmon with beautiful fall colors.
-
Pack heavy-duty rain gear – popup showers are common.
-
Bring cash in small bills – some businesses don’t accept credit cards.
-
Keep an eye out for moose, foxes, seals, and seabird rookeries.
-
Talk to locals – they have great hidden gem recommendations!
-
Savor fresh salmon dinner from a fishing trip – it can’t get more Alaskan than that!
Now that you’re armed with expert advice on getting yourself to King Salmon, it’s time to start planning your Alaskan adventure! Enjoy stunning scenery, incredible wildlife viewing, and world-class fishing in one of the most remote and beautiful corners of Alaska.
Who flies to King Salmon.
There are several options for flying to King Salmon from Anchorage. Including Alaska Airlines, Ravn Alaska, & Katmai Air.
Alaska Airlines, & their partner Horizon Air, between the two of them they satisfy most of the demand for flying in and out of King Salmon. Round-trip flights on Alaska Air typically are around $400 per person round trip depending on when you book. You can check the price of the flights on google flights here or directly on Alaska air.
Bonus tips for Alaska Air – If you sign up for the Alaska Air credit card there is a mileage bonus which is typically enough or almost enough for a round trip to King Salmon from the lower 48 states. Additionally, when you reach the spending requirement you will receive your first companion fare which Alaska Air advertises as $99 + Taxes and fees when used when traveling with a paying ticket holder. You can read all the details on Alaska Airlines here.
Ravn Alaska is a regional carrier in Alaska that serves many of the small towns that are on the Kenai Peninsula and the Aleutian Peninsula including the town of King Salmon. The service from Ravn to King Salmon is seasonal typically beginning in June and ending sometime in August depending on customer demand. You can check their prices directly on Ravns’ booking page. The price as of (March 2023 was $289 per person one way)
Katmai Air is a small Charter company that can be hired to fly to just about anywhere in southwest Alaska. They primarily serve the town of King Salmon and Katmai national park using their small fleet of float planes making trips back and forth to Brooks camp but more on that later. Katmai air also has two PC-12s that they sell seat fares on from Anchorage to King Salmon. You can check out their pricing and flight schedule here. The price as of (March 2023 was $900 per person round trip)
My family and I have taken this trip many times and have flown with all of the airlines. While they all do their best, they each have their own pros and cons. We would definitely choose to fly Alaska Air again. It’s great that we have choices, and we’re glad they’re there, but after many trips to and from Anchorage for work and pleasure, Alaska Air makes the trip very easy and cheap.
Still, for most of our guests, King Salmon is just the beginning of their trip. The main goal is to continue to Brooks Camp or fish in Katmai National Park. Read on to see when we, as King Salmon locals, think you should go.
Flying into King Salmon, Alaska – Alaska Seasonal Job Ep. 2
FAQ
Can you drive to King Salmon from Anchorage?
How long does it take to fly from Anchorage to King Salmon?
Is King Salmon worth visiting?
How do I get to King Salmon Alaska?
King Salmon isn’t connected by road to other Alaska communities, but the seasonal jet service allows access from Anchorage. During the rest of the year, smaller air services provide scheduled access as well.
Where is king salmon in Alaska?
Serving as the main gateway to Katmai National Park, King Salmon rests on the Naknek River in the Bristol Bay region of southwest Alaska, where anglers come to fish for five species of salmon. Arrive in June and July to see scores of Alaskan brown bears who spend their summers along the Brooks River to partake in the mammoth salmon run.
Where can I find King Salmon?
The Valley of the Ten Thousand Smokes—the dramatic, ashy remains of a volcanic eruption in 1912. Fishing. King Salmon is near the head of the Naknek River and Bristol Bay, home to the largest run of salmon in the world. In fact, you can find King Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, Silver Salmon, and Rainbow Trout in the Naknek River.
Can You Fly from Anchorage to King Salmon?
Well, you really only have one option and it is to fly! King Salmon is about 280 miles southwest of Anchorage by air. There are no roads to King Salmon from Anchorage and no ferries so flying is the only option! So you would book your flight from your home city to Anchorage then on to King Salmon.