Katmai National Park hosts Fat Bear Week 2026

Fat Bear Week 2026 is currently underway at Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska. The annual bracket-style tournament allows participants to vote for the largest brown bears, which build fat reserves through salmon consumption to survive winter hibernation.

This year’s competition features 16 bears, including the 2025 champion, Bear 32 (Chunk). The event has grown into an international phenomenon, with last year’s voting attracting over 1.7 million participants from more than 100 countries.

In conjunction with the event, donations to the Katmai Conservancy’s Otis Fund are being matched by explore.org through October 3. Named after the first champion, Bear #480 (Otis), the fund supports research, conservation, and educational outreach within the park, which is noted as one of the least funded parks in the United States.