The Alaska National Park Where You Can Hike Across A Floating Bridge And Boardwalk Is A Grand Adventure
By Megan McDonald
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Published November 08, 2022
If you’re looking for an easy hike with a big payoff, this floating bridge in Alaska fits the bill! Located at the stunning Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, this new floating bridge over the Brooks River brings you close to the action. Walk this easy trail while taking in the beautiful scenery around you.
Katmai National Park is known as the perfect spot for wildlife viewing, especially grizzly bears.
That's due in part to the legendary Brooks Falls on the Brooks River, where bears come to eat their fill of salmon each year.
In fact, the bears are able to eat so much that they barely bother with the tourists that come to ogle them.
They are incredibly fat and happy, which makes them easy to watch and get close to. Many visitors report grizzly bears calmly walking just feet in front of them after they've fed in the river.
And there's a great, easy trail that takes you from the Brooks Lodge to the Brooks River Bridge.
It then brings you to Riffles Platform and Brooks Falls. It is a stunning trail that shows you the best to see in the area, and it's well-trafficked by local visitors.
The entire trail is a 3.1-mile out-and-back trail in Katmai National Park.
The elevation gain is only just over 300 feet throughout the entire trail. And because it's well-maintained, and crosses a series of bridges and boardwalks, the trail is very easy to do.
The trail takes you to all of the main bear viewing platforms.
The trail will follow along Naknek Lake before crossing over Brooks River on the new floating bridge. It then continues on to the Brooks Falls trail, which ends at more viewing platforms.
Many parts of the trail are wheelchair-accessible, and span at least six feet.
It changes from well-maintained gravel surfaces to boardwalk, and some natural areas which can get muddy if it rains. But no matter the weather, the walk is well worth it; especially if you're able to see one of the thousands of bears that hang out in this area each year!
This hike is a must-do, especially if you love grizzly bears.
And with the new bridge completed in 2019, it's easier than ever to enjoy the area. Make sure to put Katmai National Park and this easy trail on your bucket list this year!
Would you hike this floating bridge in Alaska? What do you think? Is it amazing? Let us know in the comments below!
Are you looking for some epic wildlife watching? Then, read about how the Katmai National Park is filled with unique Alaska wildlife.
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Brooks Lodge, Brooks River, King Salmon, AK 99613, USA