King Salmon is a census-designated place in the Bristol Bay Borough on the north bank of the Naknek River on the Alaska Peninsula, about 284 miles southwest of Anchorage. It grew around an air base built in the early 1940s and is a government, transportation and shipment centre.[1]
| Borough | Bristol Bay Borough |
|---|---|
| Distance from Anchorage | About 284 miles southwest |
| Population, 2020 | 307 |
| Peak census population | 696 (1990) |
| Air base closed | 1994 |
| Climate | Subarctic (Köppen Dfc) |
Location
King Salmon lies about 16 miles upriver from Naknek near Naknek Lake, just below the southern limit of sporadic permafrost in Alaska. It is strongly sheltered from the wet Aleutian Low, which drops most of its moisture on the eastern side of the mountains. It is the gateway community for Katmai National Park and Preserve, and it serves as borough seat of the neighbouring Lake and Peninsula Borough, while Naknek is seat of the Bristol Bay Borough.[1]
History
In the 1930s the United States government built an air navigation silo at the site, and early in World War II the Army Air Forces built an air base around it, maintained by the Civil Aeronautics Administration through the war. In the 1940s and 1950s the Army Corps of Engineers built a 16-mile road to Naknek, and other agencies, including the National Park Service, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Weather Bureau, built facilities. The King Salmon Inn opened in 1956, and the Air Force base closed in 1994 and was placed in caretaker status. The airport is now open to the public.[1]
Population and economy
King Salmon first appeared in the 1960 census, with 227 people, and became a census-designated place in 1980. Counts were 696 in 1990, 442 in 2000, 374 in 2010 and 307 in 2020. The economy centres on government, transportation and services and supports the commercial red salmon and sport fishing industries.[1]
Climate
The climate is subarctic. The 1991 to 2020 annual mean temperature was 36.5°F, with average annual precipitation of 21.44 inches and snowfall of 47.4 inches. The record high is 89°F in July 2019 and the record low is −48°F in January 1989.[1]
FAQs
Where is King Salmon? On the Naknek River in the Bristol Bay Borough, about 284 miles southwest of Anchorage.
What is it known for? An airport and gateway role for Katmai National Park.
What is its population? 307 in the 2020 census.
Sources
Key facts
- Population 307 in 2020
- Air base closed 1994
Quick checkWhen did the King Salmon Air Force base close?Show answer
1994
Sources
- Wikipedia. King Salmon, Alaska. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-14)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 14, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue