Tongass National Forest, Ketchikan: How to Visit and What to Do Nearby

Tongass National Forest covers roughly 68,000 square kilometers of southeast Alaska’s Alexander Archipelago, the largest national forest in the United States. The temperate rainforest supports Sitka spruce and western hemlock up to 70 meters tall, along with brown and black bears, bald eagles, and all five Pacific salmon species. The forest surrounds Ketchikan, Juneau, and Sitka, with old-growth stands accessible from logging roads and marine points. Misty Fjords National Monument, a roadless wilderness of granite cliffs and deep fjords, occupies the southeastern corner. is just one of many options in Ketchikan. Major attractions worth considering include Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary, Creek Street, and Dolly's House Museum.