Katmai National Park and Preserve: Strategic Planning for Three Alaskan Parks

Interpretation in the Remote Wilderness

Image Source: HAI (History Associates, Inc.)

Katmai National Park and Preserve was established in 1918 to protect and study the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes—a region devastated by the catastrophic Novarupta volcanic eruption in 1912. Today, Katmai spans over four million acres of remote Alaskan wilderness and is best known for its annual “Fat Bear Week” social media campaign. Also located at the base of the Alaskan Peninsula, Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve was established in 1978 to preserve the Aniakchak Caldera and the surrounding landscape. Alagnak Wild River was designated in 1916, stretching from Katmai to the interior of the peninsula. All three parks require visitors to arrive by seaplane or water taxi, and transportation is dependent on severe weather.

Image Source: HAI (History Associates, Inc.)

The National Park Service (NPS) and Katmai stakeholders wanted a strategic plan and needs assessment focused on interpretive programming for three Alaskan parks: Katmai, Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve, and Alagnak Wild River. These goals and strategies would inform future interpretive efforts across the sites, such as virtual tours, online exhibits, and social media campaigns, to inspire public advocacy for their protection. Due to access limitations at Aniakchak and Alagnak, HAI’s reports primarily focused on Katmai—the most visited of the three parks.

More than “Fat Bears:” Highlighting Cultural, Geological, and Wildlife Wonders

Katmai, NPS, and tribal stakeholders emphasized that while the park may be widely recognized for its large concentration of brown bears, the parks contain many underrepresented stories and natural wonders that should be highlighted through interpretation. All three parks have barriers to access which prevent many visitors from visiting in-person. Interpretive efforts prior to this project also lacked emphasis on the indigenous communities who lived there and maintain connections with the land today.

HAI’s Approach: Authentic, Collaborative, Data Driven

To address these goals, HAI’s team of interpretive planners and historians analyzed park visitation data, staff retention, and management needs as well as background information on the park’s cultural, geological, and natural resources. This in-depth review helped HAI approach stakeholder concerns from a well-informed and purposeful starting point. In advance of an in-person site visit, HAI facilitated a series of virtual workshops with stakeholder groups to learn more about current offerings and future park plans, ensuring continuous collaboration and input throughout the process.

After weeks of strategic meetings, HAI prepared for an in-person site visit to Katmai to meet with tribal leaders, park staff, and visitors. The visit, including seaplanes, bear orientations, and an NPS water taxi, provided HAI with valuable information on the park’s interpretive offerings and future goals from stakeholder communities. These insights provided HAI with the tools to craft strategic plan recommendations and assess resource needs. We supplemented these findings with industry data on interpretive experiences, visitation trends, and best practice recommendations.

Partner-Focused Deliverables

The HAI team collaborated with Katmai, NPS, and tribal stakeholders to identify goals, assess capabilities, and provide feedback for the park’s interpretive plan. Based on essential input from partners, HAI focused our recommendations on expanding virtual offerings to engage broader audiences, improving programming to highlight the park’s geological and natural wonders, and deepening connections with local tribal partners. HAI’s strategy report and needs assessment plan were delivered to NPS within six months of project approval and detailed the needs of park management, stakeholders, and other partner groups.

Numbers at a Glance

• Interpretive Reports: 2
• Site Visits: 1 (5 planes, 1 off-road vehicle, 1 NPS water taxi)
• Bear Orientations: 2
• Bears Encountered: 0

Inclusive, Action-Oriented Interpretation

With HAI’s assistance, Katmai and NPS articulated a series of strategic goals and needs assessments focused on delivering inclusive, action-oriented interpretation. HAI articulated stakeholders desire to expand access and engage broader audiences, especially given the limited access at all three remote sites. These interpretive strategies also aim to highlight the parks’ resources and encourage ongoing preservation of wilderness areas, wildlife, people, and geological wonders.

Preserve and Activate Your Heritage

Organizations across sectors — from universities and museums to corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies — rely on strong heritage practices to protect the stories, collections, and records that shape identity and inspire future generations.

HAI's Heritage Services include:

• Archival Services & Collections Processing
• Digitization & Digital Preservation
• Records & Information Management
• Historical Research & Storytelling
• Exhibits, Interpretation & Digital Experiences
• ArchivalOne and PastView Partnership
• HeritageAdvantage CoLab

We help institutions safeguard their past so they can lead with clarity, credibility, and purpose. Let's preserve and activate your organization's heritage together.