Towering spruce trees, misty fjords, glacier-fed rivers, and the echo of bald eagle calls — welcome to the Tongass National Forest, the largest temperate rainforest in the world and the crown jewel of Southeast Alaska.
Spanning nearly 17 million acres, the Tongass is not only the largest national forest in the United States, but also one of the most biologically rich and culturally significant ecosystems on Earth. For visitors to Ketchikan, the Tongass isn’t just the backdrop to your adventure — it is the experience.
In this blog, we’ll explore the Tongass’s diverse landscapes, its importance to wildlife and Indigenous communities, and why it’s a must-see for anyone visiting Southeast Alaska.
Where Is the Tongass National Forest?
The Tongass stretches across most of Southeast Alaska, covering a vast region of coastal islands, fjords, mountains, old-growth forests, and remote communities. It includes places like:
Wherever you are in Southeast Alaska, you’re likely standing in — or looking at — part of the Tongass.
What Makes the Tongass So Unique?
Unlike tropical rainforests, the Tongass is a temperate rainforest, which means it’s cool, lush, and wet year-round. Some areas receive over 100 inches of rain annually, feeding moss-draped trees, salmon-filled streams, and thriving wildlife.
Here’s what sets it apart:
Old-Growth Forests
Some trees in the Tongass — including Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and red cedar — are hundreds of years old. These giants form a dense canopy that creates a living cathedral for the creatures below.
Wildlife Wonderland
The Tongass is home to:
Brown and black bears
Wolves
Mountain goats
Humpback whales, orcas, harbor seals, and Steller sea lions along the coastline
And of course, millions of salmon that return each year to spawn in its rivers and streams.
The Salmon Run
The Tongass and salmon are inseparable. Its forests feed the streams, and the streams feed the salmon — who in turn feed bears, birds, whales, and even the forest itself through a cycle of nutrients. Protecting salmon means protecting the forest, and vice versa.
A Living, Breathing Landscape for Indigenous Peoples
For over 10,000 years, the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples have lived in harmony with the Tongass. These rich lands and waters provide not only food, but also materials, medicine, spiritual meaning, and cultural identity.
Totem poles carved from old-growth cedar
Canoes hollowed from single trunks
Oral traditions tied to the land, water, and animals
Subsistence lifestyles still practiced today
When you walk through the Tongass, you’re walking through ancestral lands that remain deeply sacred and essential to Alaska Native communities.
Why the Tongass Matters — Globally
The Tongass isn’t just important to Alaska — it’s important to the world. It’s often called “America’s Climate Forest” because of its carbon-storing old-growth trees. These forests pull in and hold massive amounts of carbon dioxide, helping to slow climate change.
In fact, the Tongass stores more carbon per acre than almost any other forest on Earth.
Protecting it means:
Preserving one of the last remaining intact temperate rainforests
Supporting biodiversity and wildlife
Ensuring long-term climate resilience
Exploring the Tongass: What to See and Do
Whether you’re stepping off a cruise ship in Ketchikan or spending weeks exploring Southeast Alaska, there are countless ways to experience the Tongass:
Ketchikan Wildlife Tours
Get out on the water and see whales, seals, sea lions, orcas, bald eagles, and even bears along the shoreline — all within the boundaries of the Tongass.
Hiking Trails
From the Rainbird Trail to Deer Mountain in Ketchikan to remote alpine routes, Tongass hiking offers everything from rainforest strolls to panoramic vistas.
Salmon Streams
Visit during late summer to witness the incredible return of the salmon — and the wildlife that follows.
Indigenous Heritage Sites
Learn about the people who’ve stewarded these lands for millennia through cultural tours, heritage centers, and totem parks.
The Future of the Tongass
The Tongass has long been the focus of conservation efforts — especially in recent years, as debates over logging and development in old-growth areas have made national headlines.
In 2023, the U.S. Forest Service reinstated protections for the Tongass’s roadless areas, preserving over 9 million acres of pristine wilderness from future logging and road construction.
While challenges remain, local communities, Tribal governments, conservation groups, and eco-tour operators are working together to ensure the Tongass thrives for generations to come.
Why the Tongass Should Be on Your Alaska Bucket List
There’s no other place on Earth quite like it. The Tongass National Forest is wild, vibrant, and alive with stories — from the salmon running upstream to the towering trees that have watched centuries unfold.
When you visit Southeast Alaska, you’re not just coming for a wildlife tour. You’re stepping into a living rainforest, rich with culture, wildlife, and wonder. This is a must to add to your Alaska cruise itinerary!
Plan Your Tongass Adventure
Whether you’re hoping to spot orcas in the Inside Passage, walk beneath 600-year-old spruce, or learn from Alaska Native stewards of the land, our Ketchikan Wildlife Tours are the perfect way to experience the Tongass up close.
Book your tour today and come explore the wild heart of Alaska — one that feeds, inspires, and protects everything around it.
