Things to do in

Tongass National Forest

Alaska Bigfoot Adventures is an experience for the Bigfoot enthusiast, environmentalist or the casually curious. ABA has prepared an exciting and informative back-woods wilderness adventure for you in the heartland of Alaska’s Rain Forest near the port of Ward Cove/Ketchikan. Meet your Alaskan tour guide and leave the civilized world behind as you join an intimate group of adventurers going into this lush forests setting. Read more about Alaska Bigfoot Adventures - https://www.viator.com/tours/Ketchikan/Alaska-Bigfoot-Advenutres/d942-333914P1?mcid=56757Start your tour at the cruise ship port and hop into a comfortable air-conditioned van for the first leg of your Alaskan adventure. Enjoy a brief tour of Ketchikan as you drive through the town en route to the ATV site. Then, travel by shared ATV as you make your way into the forest to reach the Alaskan wild woods base camp close to the trailhead. From here, your short hiking experience begins. Explore the moss-covered forest as you wander through prime bigfoot habitat. Learn about the area from your guide and stop to read informative kiosks placed along the trail to identify the abundant plant and animal species living here. Take a short break during your forest trek, to learn about the surrounding legend of the Bigfoot and enjoy a warming cup of hot chocolate or coffee served with a gourmet cookie. Keep an eye out for the sasquatch throughout your tour. And if you don't spot the real thing, don't worry, you'll still get the chance to capture a full-sized, motion-active replica of bigfoot. At the end of your experience, enjoy a comfortable return journey to the cruise ship port in Ketchikan by air-conditioned van. 

Meet your guide at the cruise ship docks to start off this adventure. Hop in the van and listen to live commentary while driving through Juneau into the Tongass National Forest, the largest National Forest in the United States.  Once at the lake you'll have a meet and greet with the second guide who helps you put on the gear. You receive a rain jacket, rain pants, and rain boots. Along with everything needed to stay safe, including but not limited to paddling gloves, life jackets, helmets, trekking poles, and dry bags.  Your guides go over safety and paddling instructions before stepping into the canoe. This journey across the lake is a team effort, so it is not necessary to have paddling experience.  Mendenhall Lake is a glacier-fed lake that is surrounded by mountains and the famous Nugget Falls. The wind coming off the Mendenhall Glacier will officially welcome you to the Alaska wilderness.  Once the canoe is docked on the beach, there's time for a quick break before starting the hike to the glacier. During the hike, you can learn about the history of the area and listen to all the information your guides can share. Enjoy quiet moments to soak in the calmness of Alaska.  Once arriving on the rocky shore next to the glacier, follow your guides on an exploration trek around the rocky moraine to view the glacier up close.  The professional guides are in the wild every day and thrive on showing off what nature has to offer. One of the most unique aspects of the trip is that the glacial environment is in a constant state of movement and change, meaning no one tour is the same as the next. After your hike back to the canoes, be sure to soak in your last moments with the Mendenhall Glacier as the group paddles back to the shore.  Once arrived your guides will provide a hot beverage while you take off the gear. After a short drive back to the cruise ships, you will walk away with memories of Alaska that you will never forget.

On this private, guided, half-day tour, embark on an adventure from Ketchikan through the Tongass Narrows as you travel to the George Inlet Fjords. Discover hidden gems of Alaskan culture on the drive through Saxman, then cruise through the rich scenery of the coastal fjords. Begin your tour in Ketchikan, where you'll meet your guide and explore the historic downtown area by van. Then, venture onwards to Saxman, which pays homage to Tlingit culture with its extensive totem pole park. Admire the breathtaking scenery of the Tongass Narrows coastline as you drive. Continue your adventure at the Beaver Falls Salmon Cannery. After visiting the historic cannery, relish the fresh air as you hike the rainforest trail to the Zodiac boat. Along the way, pause for Mahoney Falls Glacial Cirque's stunning views of snow-capped mountains and a 2000-foot waterfall. Next, your guide will provide a brief safety orientation of the Zodiac motorboats. Bundle up in rain gear, rubber boots, and a life jacket, then step into the four- or six-seater vessel. Follow your guide out to the George Inlet Fjords and marvel at the pristine scenery. As you cruise, keep watch for wildlife, including Sitka deer and black bears. Bald eagles may swoop to water for hunting, and in the water, you may be able to observe the salmon streams. After your cruise, return to the cannery for snacks and refreshments before heading back to Ketchikan.

Get well off the beaten path and speed along muddy trails to the remote Lake Mahoney on this guided UTV tour. Follow off-road trails along the George Inlet Fjord and through the Tongass National Forest to reach a tranquil lake where you’ll enjoy a hearty campfire lunch. Start your adventure in downtown Ketchican, where you will meet the guide and travel out to the White River base camp. Learn about the history of Ketchikan as you pass sites like the Ward Cove Pulp Mill. After a short UTV training session at base camp, gear up and head out onto the trails. Be prepared to get muddy as you tear along 5 miles of off-road paths, through a beautiful wilderness of fjordland and temperate rainforest. Reach the peaceful shores of Mahoney Lake, where a hearty campfire lunch will await you. Enjoy a well-deserved meal and a hot drink looking out over the peaceful water, far away from tourist crowds. Return to base camp along the trails and get dropped back in Ketchikan to end the tour.

Take to the skies over the stunning Misty Fjords National Monument on a floatplane tour from Ketchikan. Admire the lakes, sheer cliffs, and waterfalls of Misty Fjords, a part of the Tongass National Forest covering more than 2 million acres (900,000 hectares) of alpine wilderness. Meet your pilot in Ketchikan and climb aboard your 6-passenger floatplane. During the flight, your pilot shares commentary via your headset, which also offers a musical soundtrack. Ascend over Tongass Narrows, a body of water located between Ketchikan and Gravina Island, and fly past Ketchikan. Stare in wonder at the beauty of Tongass National Forest as you soar over Revillagigedo Island to Misty Fjords National Monument, about 40 miles (64 km) east of town. Traveling through a low-hanging mist that gives the region its name, take in views of fjords, cliffs, and rock walls jutting straight out of the water. Waterfalls cascade down narrow granite passages, and dense forests of hemlock and spruce cover the vertical slopes. Your pilot navigates over Rudyard Bay, giving you a fantastic vantage point of New Eddystone Rock, a remnant of early volcanic activity. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife like wolves, bears, deer, and eagles. Your floatplane tour ends with drop-off back in Ketchikan.

Journey into the heart of Southeast Alaska and the Tongass National Forest on a boat cruise through the wilderness. Watch as crab pots are pulled up from the waters surrounding Revillagigedo Island, then head to the George Inlet Lodge for a feast centered around Dungeness crab. Meet your host in Ketchikan near the cruise ship docks and hop into an air-conditioned van that will take you to the starting point for your cruise. Once aboard your sightseeing cruise, travel through the Tongass National Forest and Gorge Inlet. Breathe in the fresh air and spectacular scenery as your crew shares stories and the history of this magnificent waterway. If you're feeling adventurous, make sure to volunteer to pull up crab pots from the abundant waters surrounding Revillagigedo Island, overflowing with delicious Dungeness crab. Your cruise brings you to a remote location, where a crab feast awaits at the rustic yet elegant George Inlet Lodge. Sit down to a meal featuring fresh Dungeness crab served with a Romaine salad with homemade dressing. And don't worry, your hosts will be on hand to demonstrate the easiest way to crack your crabs. Sip a complimentary glass of wine or beer along with your meal and round out your feast with a scrumptious cheesecake with blueberry topping for dessert. Your Alaskan wilderness experience comes to an end with a return journey back to the meeting point in Ketchikan. 

Customize your sightseeing experience to accommodate your family or any group up to 6 passengers! We provide first class service and want to share in a meaningful experience with you! The options are unlimited as the tour guide will talk to you one on one to secure a perfect tour. Some options include: Local totem parks, Local Waterfalls, Beach, Salmon Hatchery, local hike, Bear viewing (in season), etc. etc. We do our best to handle your unique request! If stopping by one of our local watering holes is on your list we can make it happen! This is a great opportunity to experience Ketchikan with a more personal touch! We hope to see you soon! We make it easy and will meet you where your ship docks or we can make an arrangement for an easy pickup and drop-off! We will be waiting on the ship side of the dock near where you exit! Please look for the Ketchikan Native Tours Guide and Van! Yes, we will pick up and drop off at Ward Cove! We will gladly drop you off at other locations which you may want to revisit for further adventuring. You are on vacation and we want to make it an easy experience for you! Let's go! **Norwegian Cruisline Guest** We will need to establish a pick up and drop off point because your ship docks at Ward Cove which is 9 miles north of the city. Norwegian guest if we are picking you up at Ward Cove we will meet you in the building where all tours are scheduled to depart. Look for the Ketchikan Native Tours Guide and Van! Learn about the native cultures of Alaska during your time in Ketchikan on this private shore excursion. This tour is completely flexible and can be tailored to your group's interests. Some options include visiting totem parks, a salmon hatchery, beaches, waterfalls, or going on a hike. While you explore, your guide teaches you about Alaskan Native culture and traditions. Tongass National Forest Buggies Beach City Park of Ketchikan Totem Bight State Historical Park Saxman Native Village Creek Street Herring Cove

Discover the beauty of the Tongass National Forest on 3.5-mile hike and uncover an array of natural features with a view of the receding Mendenhall Glacier on this guided hike. Enjoy pickup and drop-off from a meeting point in downtown Juneau or from major hotels in the Mendenhall Valley.  Hop aboard a comfortable and climate-controlled van for the transfer to the starting point of the hike. Begin with a hike through the Tongass National Forest, the largest temperate rainforest in the world. Walk through areas dominated by towering Sitka spruce and hemlock Trees. Stop along the way to refuel with a hearty and tasty snack pack. Watch as the wilderness trail becomes less defined as you follow your guide through the dense vegetation, around beaver ponds, and up rock scrambles. Emerge from the forest and approach the final ridge where the jagged face of the glacier bursts into view, and with its ice behind it. See crevasses filled with a deep blue color and an icefall at the toe of the glacier. Due to the glacier's state of constant change, not all features may be present. Hike back on the West Glacier Trail and transfer back to your meeting point.

You’ll start out in the heart of the Tongass National Forest at Eaglecrest Ski Area in Juneau. After a narrated drive to Douglas Island you’ll be surrounded with mountain views and pristine old growth forest. Once you’ve arrived at the lodge, you’ll be greeted by friendly and knowledgeable guides who will outfit you with top of the line gear. We take fun seriously, so you’ll have a safety briefing and optional practice zips before taking your “leap of faith” into the trees. As you make your way through 5 ziplines, with the longest zip being about 600 feet long, you and your guide will stop and land in fully enclosed treehouse platforms where you can take in the scenery or snap some pictures. Hear about living in Southeast Alaska and the forest flora and fauna you’re seeing. Close to the end of your trip, you’ll cross a suspension bridge over a rushing stream. Top off your tour by embracing your inner lumberjack and try your hand at Axe Throwing. Back at the lodge you’ll have time to watch a slideshow of the pictures your guide has taken of you during your adventure. There’s a gift shop where you can purchase your pictures and other mementos of your time in the trees. Please Note: Guests should be comfortable with heights and walking up about 50 stairs. This tour is not recommended for people who are pregnant, have seizures or recent neck, shoulder or back injuries/surgery. No hand-braking is required on this course, so you can sit and zip while your guides handle all the equipment and keep you safe. The guides will also be on hand to enhance your sense of adventure and fun!

You will meet at city dock and we’ll make sure you have everything you need for a day with the bears. We often depart Wrangell early for better lighting and increased opportunity in the photo blind (a location to get up-close photos of the bears). Anan is located in Tongass National Forest (35 miles from Wrangell, Alaska), which is accessible only by boat or floatplane. We’ll get underway in one of our custom built tour vessels that are covered, heated, and comfortable. You will enjoy a picturesque one-hour cruise. It’s not unusual for us to see wildlife along the way! We will chat about the Tongass, its bears, and what you can expect to experience from your day at Anan. When we arrive at Anan we will disembark the vessel. While you take in the beautiful setting and organize your gear, we’ll take care of all the permitting paperwork with the US Forest Service. Following a brief introduction, by one of our highly trained guides, you’ll be stunned by the eagles, seals, and other wildlife that are gathering here for the abundant pink salmon run. Our professional guides will lead you on a half-mile journey through the sanctuary on a well-maintained trail (see below for more details). You’ll enjoy our easy-going pace while your guide tells you more about Anan, its history, ecosystem, and wildlife. We often have an opportunity to view bears as we make our way to the observatory platform. When we arrive at the viewing platform, plan on settling in here for an extended stay of bear viewing and photography. The viewing platform is perfectly placed on a bluff above the bears’ favorite fishing hole. You’ll have the freedom to relax and move around the deck as you wish. There’s so much to look at, it’s difficult to decide which vantage point is the best! Your guide is right there to spot bears for you, answer questions, and enhance your experience. There is a special photo blind right at creek level and we will make sure you are signed up for a unique chance to view bears at eye level. Spend your day soaking in this amazing place in the towering rainforest adjacent to a salmon-filled stream. When our small group is tired, hungry, and likely maxed out their camera card, we will make our way back to the boat on the estuary trail. Board the boat for a casual and fun voyage back to Wrangell. Generally, we like to share our best photos of the day and get into our long-overdue lunches! As we cruise back, we will share some of the interesting sites along the way. You’ll be glad you took our tour because we stay longer.