Tongass National Forest
Tongass National Forest
5
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The nation's largest national forest.
Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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5.0
152 reviews
Excellent
120
Very good
27
Average
5
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Laura J
3 contributions
July 2024 • Couples
My husband and I took the 2 1/2 hour hike through Tongass National Park in Ketchikan. Although our guide Matt did a nice job telling us about things in the forest we were disappointed to pay $150 per person to basically take a walk. We saw very little wildlife and had hoped to see salmon spawning but it was a little too early for that. (August is best). Way overpriced for what we experienced.
Written 26 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VijGuy
Chicago, IL40 contributions
July 2023 • Family
Ok place. Not to great and not boring. The flat mud are risky unless you stay on trail with guide. You need to take a boat and catch some wild life like bald eagle and sea lions.
Written 21 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angeles
Burien, WA1,489 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
I talked with a ranger at one of the state parks telling her we wanted to avoid the cruise ships crowds. Not to worry, she assured me, most of them do not go more than a few blocks from the ship.
We got up and were out on trails before sunrise. The moss and trees are magnificent. On Sunday morning we hiked the trail at Lunch Box and hiked three miles and were the only ones on the trail. To see the beauty that is Ketchikan, visit by plane or ferry and stay a few days.
We got up and were out on trails before sunrise. The moss and trees are magnificent. On Sunday morning we hiked the trail at Lunch Box and hiked three miles and were the only ones on the trail. To see the beauty that is Ketchikan, visit by plane or ferry and stay a few days.
Written 2 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
windingdown2015
North Ridgeville, OH40 contributions
June 2019 • Couples
When in Ketchikan you can get a quick, free, view of the Tongass Forest by hiking the Rainbird trail.
It is a little over a mile, and is accessable from 3 downtown trailheads. There are 2 giant old growth cedars near the North end of the trail. There is not too much elevation gain, but the path can be slippery and rocky. You feel like you are really in the forest, but you're not really far from town. A nice morning or afternoon activity.
It is a little over a mile, and is accessable from 3 downtown trailheads. There are 2 giant old growth cedars near the North end of the trail. There is not too much elevation gain, but the path can be slippery and rocky. You feel like you are really in the forest, but you're not really far from town. A nice morning or afternoon activity.
Written 3 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Spartanmom2012
milwaukee71 contributions
Aug 2013 • Family
Bears - 3 of them. One sleeping. One eating a salmon. And a baby in a tree. We walked to the waterfall and got pretty close to the glacier. The boys climbed a rock slide and had a ball. There were opportunities for long and short hikes. A $16 bus ride there and back from Juneau. Nature, clean air, wild life, walking ... what more can you ask for? Wish I could go back. :-)
Written 13 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jnc1927
Ketchikan, AK7 contributions
June 2016 • Solo
Anywhere you go in the Tongass National Forest you will be amazed at the enchanting scenery. There are great hiikng trails that ALWAYS lead you to a magical place of nature... a lake... a waterfall.... a breathtaking view.... The people you meet on the trails are friendly.... Stop at Knudson Cove (you just may catch a whale feeding) and have lunch at Dockside Galley (their burgers and shakes are yummy).... what an adventure I had.... Enjoy yours!!!!
Written 14 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marlene S
Ketchikan, AK77 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
What can you say about a forest that is a thousand miles long. Wildlife, trees, 12 kinds of ferns, berries galore and mushrooms. A wonderful example of God's creation.
Written 18 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christie V
Villa Park, CA222 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
To find out this is the largest Natural Forest in the United States was unbelievable! It is beautiful with so many different activities to choose from to see it. We went to a secluded lake out of Ketchikan and canoed over to an area to explore. Huge, beautiful trees, plants, flowers, bear caves, to just mention a few.
Written 27 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DilrukshiH
Colombo, Sri Lanka2,679 contributions
Sept 2019
Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the U.S.A.
One must see it to appreciate the beauty of this awesome place as words cannot explain the lovely greenery & beauty of this amazing place.
It was a great experience.
One must see it to appreciate the beauty of this awesome place as words cannot explain the lovely greenery & beauty of this amazing place.
It was a great experience.
Written 27 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rainbirdmuse
Ketchikan, AK102 contributions
Dec 2019
Hard to write a brief review on something that is 17 million acres. But here goes. The national forest is the reason why more than 1 million visitors come to Southeast Alaska every summer and there are 17 million reasons to enjoy it. Wilderness, wildlife, an area that is largely unchanged since ice sheets began rolling back thousands of years ago. It must be seen to believed.
Written 29 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michele D
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
We will be arriving in Ketchikan around 2:30pm and leave at 9:00 pm. We would like to see a lumberjack show as well as walk around Tongass National Forest. The show is either at 3 or 5 and I really want to get to walk in the forest. I am thinking of the early show at 3 and ends at 4. That would give us about 4 hours to see the forest. What do you recommend we see in the forest? I just want to make sure we get to see some awesome sights. Thank you!
Written 29 November 2023
Looking to hike while in Ketchikan and looking for trails that are fairly easy to get to from the cruise ship port. Don't want to book an excursion but just hike on our own. Are there ubers in the area if needed for a ride to trailheads?
TIA
Written 9 July 2019
Can you tell me an approximate time it took to walk the Rainbird trail if you do so on your own? I know everyone is different, but just a very general estimate of time would be appreciated.
Written 8 July 2019
I think we spent about 3
We were dropped off at the North end and walked back down to town from the South end when we finished the trail. All in the 3 hrs.
Written 11 July 2019
Hello! If I wanted to spend a week in The Tongass (solo) and wanted to do day hikes through the rain forest and maybe see some local sights, would Ketchikan be the best centrally located place to stay? I know the National Park is massive so I just hoping for a little local advice. Thanks!
Written 25 June 2019
Ketchikan is an island, so you'd have to take that into account.
I would find a hiking partner for your time there, even if they only went with you for the day hikes, not necessarily for 24/7 if you want some alone time.
Written 22 August 2019
Hi, would you recommend having a guide, or just go on your own?
Written 10 June 2019
First time there? Go with a guide.
Written 13 September 2019
We also have a day in Ketchikan from our cruise and want to take a hike. How do we get from the boat port to the forest for a day of just relaxed hiking?
Written 21 April 2019
Ketchikan is an island, so you'll need to get to the mainland first, then find hiking trail info from there. If you do that, be sure to allow extra time to get back to the ship. My suggestion would be the National Park Service for starters.
Written 22 April 2019
Can I explore the Tongass National forest on my own without a guide or tour? Thank you.
Written 25 July 2018
Yes, but I would recommend that you use a guide to see the interesting points within the preserve. The area is massive so you could spend a lot of time wandering around in nature.
Written 31 July 2018
Husband & I will be in Ketchikan in September for 1.5 days after an inland passage cruise. Suggestions on what not to miss!
Written 7 July 2018
You have a lot of time, more than most! Obviously touring the town itself with stops at the Salmon Market and Creek Street being highlights. A tour out to George's Inlet and a fantastic "all you can eat" crab feast are truly memorable. If pressed for time the latter is best part. We didn't get to any of native culture exhibits/shows but would have liked to. Enjoy Alaska!
Written 7 July 2018
I'll be going to the Tongass Forest in August and would like to know what brand of rain gear you used to walk in the pouring rain.
Written 26 June 2018
We were very lucky and visited on a dry day!! Sorry
Written 26 June 2018
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