Thorne Bay in Tongass National Forest. Photo courtesy of USFS Region 10.
The Tongass National Forest in Alaska is the world’s largest national forest, encompassing 17 million acres (69,000 km²). In fact, more than 80% of Southeast Alaska is located inside the forest, which is where you’ll find many notable natural attractions like Mendenhall Glacier, the Mistry Fjords National Monument and other islands, fjords and bays. Tongass National Forest provides many opportunities for outdoor recreations, from brown bear viewing to salmon fishing to whale watching and beyond. To help you plan a trip to the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, here are some suggestions.
Tongass wildlife kayaking adventure
One way to explore the Tongass National Forest is via a Tongass Wildlife Kayaking Adventure. The excursion leaves from Juneau, heading to a private beach near Amalga Harbor and Yankee Cove. Along the way, you’ll pass natural attractions like Mendenhall, Herbert, and Eagle Glaciers, as well as possibly spot wildlife such as porcupine, deer, beavers and eagles. Once you’re in your kayak, you’ll set out through plankton-rich waters, perfect for attracting animals like humpback whales, seals, porpoises and sea lions. Bird watchers will especially love the tour, as a number of sea birds can be spotted along the journey. Note: This excursion is suitable for beginners.
Pack bear viewing
One of the Tongass National Forest’s 19 wilderness areas is Admiralty Island, home to the Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing Area. This is where you’ll find the world’s largest concentration of brown bears, with an estimated 1,500 to 1,700 living there. To experience this for yourself, an Exclusive Pack Creek Bear Viewing from Juneau is a worthwhile option. The excursion begins with a scenic floatplane ride over the Tongass National Forest and the Inside Passage to Windfall Island where you’ll board your kayak and make your way to Admiralty Island. Once you reach your destination your guide will decide which spot is the best for viewing, possibly a lookout tower to see them playing in the meadow or secret alcoves to watch them catching salmon. Bonus: During high season a permit is required to visit the Pack Creek Brown Bear Viewing Area, and booking a tour allows you to skip having to obtain this yourself.
Brown bears aren’t the only wildlife you can spot in the Tongass National Forest, as it’s also home to Sitka blacktail deer, wolf, black bear, mountain goats, moose and bald eagles (more than any other place in the world!). Moreover, along the shores and in the water you’ll find Dall and harbor porpoises, sea otters, humpbacks, minkes, killer whales, halibut and five species of Pacific salmon.
Misty Fjords National Monument
The Misty Fjords National Monument can also be found in the Tongass National Forest, and is where you’ll find two beautiful fjords — Behm Canal (117 miles/188 kilometers long) and Portland Canal (72 miles/115 kilometers long). There are many ways to explore the natural attraction, like kayaking, hiking and taking a seaplane tour for a unique vantage point. Dense rainforest, glacier-carved gorges, snow-capped peaks, mirror lakes and wildlife like sea lions, harbor seals, killer whales, brown and black bears, mountain goats, moose and bald eagles are part of the experience.
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