The Tongass National Forest, the nation’s largest, covers most of Southeast Alaska, surrounding the famous Inside Passage. It offers unique chances to view eagles, bears, spawning salmon and the breath-taking vistas of “wild” Alaska. You can take a sled-dog ride on a glacier, hike boardwalk trails, fish in streams or ocean, or just kick back and relax at a remote cabin. The Tongass National Forest is a forest of islands and trees and rain. Lots of islands and trees and rain. It also abounds in animals and birds and fish, with unsurpassed scenery and hardy people. It’s a place where eagles are commonplace, most every road is a deer crossing and bears use the trails, too. The Tongass is a wild place, where the natural world is a strong presence that nurtures spiritually and materially and demands respect. Look around at what the Tongass has to offer.
The Tongass National Forest is the largest unit in the national forest system, almost 17 million acres. Tongass employees work to balance multiple uses of the forest resources. The Tongass has healthy fish and wildlife populations, clean water, trees to support local industry, recreation opportunities unique to Alaska and plenty of unspoiled beauty and solitude. What roads exist in Southeast Alaska have been developed from forest roads built to reach timber.
History & Culture
For thousands of years people have called Southeast Alaska home. Ongoing cultural traditions provide a spiritual link and transform a visit to the Tongass into an unforgettable encounter with history. Here we can find clues about the first people of Southeast Alaska and the natural environment they faced. The forest chronicles the history of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian peoples as well as later immigrants who opened canneries, fox farms, mines and new communities. The cultures of Southeast Alaska are alive today and provide meaningful links to the past.
Traveler Facts
Contact Information
Tongass National Forest
Federal Building
648 Mission Street
Ketchikan, AK 99901
Phone: 907-225-3101
Weather/Climate
The Tongass National Forest is located in the coastal rainforest of Southeast Alaska. Summer temperatures usually range from the mid 40’s to mid 60’s F with extremes dipping into the 30’s and “soaring” into the 80’s. Annual rainfall in downtown Juneau averages over 90 inches and in Ketchikan over 120 inches! Needless to say, good rain gear and warm clothing are essential. Layers of wool clothing and rubber boots are standard dress in all the areas of Southeast Alaska.
