Fat Bear Week 2026 – nps.gov

Fat Bear Week 2026  nps.gov

Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. KING SALMON, Alaska – Fat Bear Week returns to Katmai National Park Sept. 22-29, 2026, giving bear fans around the world another chance to decide which of Katmai’s brown bears has done the best job packing on the pounds for winter. Vote for the fattest and most winter-ready bear at fatbearweek.org. “There are more cubs at Brooks Camp this year than have been seen in a long time,” said Park Superintendent Mark Sturm.

“A new generation of fat bears is taking shape, and they’re off to a strong start. We’re excited to watch them grow and learn as they prepare for winter in Katmai’s incredible ecosystem.” Fat Bear Week, which started in 2014, is an annual competition that celebrates the remarkable transformation of Katmai’s brown bears as they feast on salmon and build the fat reserves they need to survive the winter. The bears go head-to-head in a bracket-style tournament, with the public choosing which bear will be crowned Fat Bear Week Champion. Last year over 1,700,000 votes were cast from more than 100