Ketchikan Rainforest Sanctuary and Totem Park
Description
Explore the dramatic wilderness of the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary on this 2.75-hour small-group walking tour. Learn about the local ecosystem and the wildlife it supports from a knowledgeable and friendly guide. Walk through a beautiful mountain forest, home to bears, bald eagles and deer. Learn about the dynamic nature and abundant wildlife of a scenic marine estuary. Explore the first Tsimshian totem pole park in the country with its impressive 40-foot totem and 17 poles carved by the same artist. You’ll have plenty of great photo opportunities and to learn about totem pole carving at a historic sawmill.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Delve deep into the heart of Ketchikan's rainforest on a naturalist-led ecotour at an exclusive reserve. Head to Herring Cove to explore a pristine wildlife sanctuary that is home to an abundant variety of species such as bald eagles, black bears, salmon and seals. Hike through a lush trail, with stops at strategically-located viewing areas. Then discover the richness of the local estuary, a magnet for wildlife during salmon spawning season.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Reviews(139)
Wow! What a great experience! Chloe was our guide. She was funny, knowledgeable, and helpful. She had a great eye for wildlife and showed us everything from moss and banana slugs to claw marks on a tree and bald eagles (juveniles and adults!). She had to move on to the next tour before we saw a bear, but we did get to see a juvenile just before our bus back arrived.
We met Betts upon arrival and he was extremely attentive to our safety as we parked and did not know where we should go and a bear was just seen in the parking lot. He scurried us to safety and then we proceeded to inquire about a tour and he was perfect for our interests. He was thoughtful, informed, a good representative of your services as he was quite informative and answered our questions. It will be a highlight of our visit to Ketchikan
The experience was so great overall. Our tour guys Betts was super knowledgeable and it was awesome to hear about each plant. We would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting the area!
We thoroughly enjoyed our Rainforest Sanctuary tour - an easy walk with a pleasant and engaging guide. We saw black bear and eagle (and banana slug) and had a great introduction to what "temperature rainforest" means. In the Totem Park visit, Tsimshian carver Kevin Clevenger was very informative. I was a bit confused about the rest of the Totem Park displays - all beautiful with great information panels, but I felt I lost the context or original purpose of the totems, or were they just for display? As it was the beginning of 3 weeks in SE Alaska, I still had a lot to learn!
This was our favorite excursion on our cruise. Matt was a fantastic guide, and the sanctuary is beautiful. Truly enjoyed learning about totem creation from Kevin, got to see a couple of juvenile bald eagles hunting in the estuary.
This rainforest tour was an absolute highlight of our trip. The nature here is stunning, and we were lucky enough to see incredible wildlife, including bears, bald eagles, and even some massive banana slugs! Our guide, Matt, was fantastic. He was knowledgeable, engaging, and made the whole experience seamless. What really set this tour apart was how seamlessly it blended the breathtaking natural environment with local cultural aspects, giving us a true taste of Alaska. Getting to explore the Tongass—the biggest national forest—was unforgettable. Highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting an authentic Alaskan experience!
Matt was our guide and he was fantastic!! Couldn't have had a better time!! Never met a guide who enjoyed licking a slug so much! 😉
Matt was so great and knowledgeable! The rainforest was gorgeous, peaceful and quiet. It was so nice to be in untouched land.
Thank you for visiting the Ketchikan Rainforest Sanctuary and Totem Park! We’re so glad to hear Matt made your walk through the rainforest such a great experience. The untouched scenery out here really is something special, and we’re happy you enjoyed the peaceful side of Ketchikan. Thanks for spending part of your day with us 🌿🌲
I’d like to give Matt a shout-out! Our tour was his first time leading a group on his own, and he did an amazing job. After the tour ended, we stayed and chatted with him for a bit when he spotted a mama bear and her two cubs nearby. Matt calmly made sure everyone backed away safely while we enjoyed watching them from a distance. He handled the situation professionally and helped make an already great tour even more memorable.
Thank you for joining us for a rainforest tour here in Ketchikan! We’re so glad to hear Matt helped make your experience memorable — he’ll be thrilled to know his first solo tour was such a success. Spotting a mama bear and her cubs is always special, and we appreciate you noting how calmly and professionally he handled the moment to keep everyone safe while still enjoying the wildlife from a distance 🐻🌲 Thank you for choosing to spend part of your visit with us, and we’re wishing you safe travels on the rest of your journey.
5 of 5. Was able to see a mother bear and her three cubs and an eagle
Thank you for visiting the Ketchikan Rainforest Sanctuary and Totem Park! We’re so glad to hear you had a fun experience — and what an incredible wildlife day. Seeing a mother bear with her three cubs and an eagle is a truly special Alaska moment 🐻🦅🌲 We appreciate you choosing to spend part of your time in Ketchikan with us, and we’re wishing you safe travels on the rest of your journey!
