Generated with sparks and insights from 10 sources
Tongass National Forest
National forest in Alaska
Travel Tips
Try king crab claws and salmon cooked al-fresco. 1
Take a helicopter ride around Mt. Denali and try the local seafood dishes in Talkeetna. 2
Ideal for adventurers looking to explore vast landscapes and possibly witness the Northern Lights. 3
Experience the wilderness with a private heli-hiking tour and wildlife spotting. 4
Explore the mightier mountains, rivers, and wildlife. 5
Prepare for long stretches without services by carrying extra fuel, food, and water. Consider the seasonal challenges and daylight hours. 6
Visit during the growing season to witness the giant vegetables. 7
Visit WrangellโSt. Elias wilderness and catch sight of Denali. Enjoy McCarthy's food scene. 8
Children as young as five are welcome. Offers a 10 percent discount for ages five to 17. 9
Discover the unique demographic and cultural characteristics of Alaska. 10
Introduction
Activities
- ๐ถโโ๏ธ Hiking: Miles of maintained trails through dense forests, alpine meadows, and peat bogs.
- ๐๏ธ Camping: Numerous public use cabins and designated campgrounds.
- ๐ฃ Fishing: Opportunities to fish for halibut and all five species of Pacific salmon.
- ๐ถ Kayaking: Popular in areas like Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness.
- ๐ป Bear Viewing: Sites at Fish Creek, Anan Creek, Pack Creek, and Steep Creek.
- ๐ Whale Watching: Tours available from Juneau, Sitka, and Petersburg.
- ๐ถ Canoeing: Portaging a chain of lakes across Admiralty Island.
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Wildlife
- ๐ฆ Bald Eagles: More bald eagles live in this region than anywhere else in the world.
- ๐ป Bears: Home to both black and brown bears.
- ๐บ Wolves: Inhabited by Sitka blacktail deer and their predators, wolves.
- ๐ Marine Mammals: Includes orcas, humpback whales, sea otters, and harbor seals.
- ๐ Fish: Waters teem with halibut and all five species of Pacific salmon.
- ๐ Mountain Goats: Commonly found in the area.
- ๐ฆ Sitka Blacktail Deer: Inhabit the forest along with their predators.
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Landscape
- ๐ฒ Rainforest: The world's largest temperate rainforest.
- โ๏ธ Glaciers: Famous for the Mendenhall Glacier, LeConte Glacier, and Hubbard Glacier.
- ๐๏ธ Mountains: Bordered by the Coast Mountains extending into British Columbia.
- ๐ Coastline: 11,000 miles of dramatic coastline with islands and waterfalls.
- ๐ฟ Flora: Towering hemlock, Sitka spruce, red and yellow cedar, and alder.
- ๐ Ground Cover: Moss, ferns, and lichens drape the forest floor and trees.
- ๐ป Ice and Rock: Almost half of the forest is covered by ice, water, wetlands, and rock.
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History
- ๐ Indigenous Peoples: Traditional homeland of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian Peoples.
- ๐๏ธ Establishment: Designated as the Alexander Archipelago Forest Reserve in 1902.
- ๐ฒ Renaming: Renamed and expanded to Tongass National Forest in 1908.
- ๐ค๏ธ Logging: Historical logging operations and controversies.
- ๐ผ Legal Battles: Aboriginal title challenges and settlements.
- ๐ Expansion: Further expanded by presidential proclamations in 1909 and 1925.
- โ๏ธ Tragedy: Site of the Alaska Airlines Flight 1866 crash in 1971.
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Facilities and Camping
- ๐๏ธ Cabins: 150 Forest Service cabins available for reservation.
- โบ Campgrounds: 20 designated campgrounds within the forest.
- ๐๏ธ Visitor Centers: Three centers in Ketchikan, Juneau, and Petersburg.
- ๐ Ranger Districts: Offices in Craig, Hoonah, Sitka, Thorne Bay, Wrangell, and Yakutat.
- ๐ถ Remote Access: Most cabins accessed by float plane, some by foot.
- ๐ฒ Dispersed Camping: Opportunities for backcountry camping.
- ๐ Exhibits: Displays and information on exploring the forest.
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Getting Here
- โ๏ธ Flights: Daily flights from Seattle and Anchorage to major communities.
- ๐ณ๏ธ Marine Highway: Year-round service connecting communities to Bellingham, WA, and Prince Rupert, B.C.
- ๐ข Cruises: Many visitors arrive via cruise ships through the Inside Passage.
- ๐ฉ๏ธ Air Taxi: Scheduled air taxi service to smaller communities.
- ๐ No Mainland Roads: Most of the Inside Passage is not accessible by road.
- ๐บ๏ธ Guided Trips: Options for guided trips and excursions.
- ๐ฅ๏ธ Boat Rides: Access to glaciers and remote areas via boat from Petersburg and Wrangell.
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| Travel Information |
|---|
| ๐ย ย ย Phone: (907) 225-3101 |
| ๐ย ย ย Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/tongass/ |
| ๐ย ย ย Hours: See hours |
| ๐ย ย ย Address: Juneau, AK 99801 |
๐ย ย ย Profiles:  |
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