Katmai in November: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack
Shoulder · VisitWhen score 28/100 · #10 of 12 months
November is a quiet month with trade-offs at Katmai National Park: crowds run under 1% of the July peak (8 average visits). Weather: highs average 33°F and lows 17°F, with 3.6″ of precipitation and 7.9 hours of daylight. Headline access is typically closed this month — see the access warning below. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.
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Bring for Katmai in November
- Insulated parka + thermal base layersSee it on AmazonWhy: average lows of 17°F.
- Rain shell + pack coverSee it on AmazonWhy: 3.6″ of precipitation is normal this month.
- HeadlampSee it on AmazonWhy: only 7.9 hours of daylight in mid-November.
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Crowds in November
Katmai averages 8 recreation visits in November — under 1% of what July, the peak month, draws. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly — crowds are thin by this park's standards.
Weather & daylight
Days are cold (highs average 33°F), and nights are frigid (lows average 17°F). Average precipitation is 3.6″ for the month. Mid-month daylight runs 7.9 hours.
NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station KING SALMON 42 SE, AK US (39 mi from park coordinates, 661 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of November.
What to pack for Katmai in November
Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.
- Insulated parka + thermal base layers — average lows of 17°F
- Rain shell + pack cover — 3.6″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Headlamp — only 7.9 hours of daylight in mid-November (compare other options)
- Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 3.6″ of rain is normal this month
- Bear spray — recommended by the park in grizzly country (check current park regulations before you carry)
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If your dates are flexible, consider shifting: The computed best months for Katmai are May and June.
Also at their best in November
Other parks whose computed November verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:
- Canyonlands in November — 35% of peak crowds, highs 55°F, score 72/100
- Mammoth Cave in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 61°F, score 72/100
- New River Gorge in November — 33% of peak crowds, highs 54°F, score 72/100
- Petrified Forest in November — 45% of peak crowds, highs 58°F, score 72/100
Common questions
Is Katmai crowded in November?
No — November is one of the quieter months: under 1% of the July peak, averaging 8 visits (NPS, 2021–2025).
What is the weather like in Katmai in November?
Average highs of 33°F, lows of 17°F, 3.6″ of precipitation (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, KING SALMON 42 SE, AK US station).
What should I pack for Katmai in November?
Insulated parka + thermal base layers; Rain shell + pack cover; Headlamp — the full weather-computed list is on this page.
Is everything open at Katmai in November?
Katmai is fly-in only; Brooks Camp visitor services operate June 1 – mid-September (peak bear viewing July and September). Always check the park's live NPS alerts for current conditions.
See also: the best national parks to visit in November · Last verified 2026-09-24