Absolutely stunning and beautiful! The entire national forest is breathtaking and awe inspiring!…read moreDefinitely worth a visit and a look.

The Tongass Historical museum is amazing it have the history of Alaska like the gold rush and the…read moreAlaska Purchase and many wonderful displays and real native items. We enjoy it but we also went the gift shop they very nice items..

I don't know what it is about Southeast (Alaska), but their trail maintenance is impeccable!…read more My partner took me to Ketch for the weekend to celebrate my 40th, so we only had time for one hike, and we chose this one. The trail is steep but very well-graded, with lots of switchbacks. The first, maybe 1.75 miles are in a lush temperate rainforest: big trees, dripping rocks, creeks flowing in/out/on/around the trail. In late March, we hit snow at about 2,100 ft. If you do this trail before June, you will have to navigate snow. Depending on conditions, you could need snowshoes/skis, microspikes, or both. We only had microspikes, but definitely needed snowshoes/skis. The final quarter mile to the summit was grueling snow-wallowing through knee-to-chest deep snow. There were lots of sketch cornices near the summit area. If you don't have experience with snow travel, I'd recommend NOT going to the true summit if you see conditions like this. (the two of us do quite a bit of mountaineering, even in the winter so....while it was unpleasant, we knew how to navigate it relatively safely) Views from the summit were amazing...for a few seconds, then the clouds rolled in. Such is life hiking in a rainforest! It took us about 4 hours to reach the summit. This was largely because of the snow though. It took us only 1 hr to get from the summit to the brewery, which is the place you need to go to treat yourself post-summit!

Sweet fun trail hike it run it , great views up top . Tons of options of going furtherread more

Rainbird Trail is a 1.3 mile pathway "taking you into the lush undergrowth of the Tongass National…read moreForest. The top of the trail overlooks the city of Ketchikan, the Tongass Narrows and Beyond" according to a signpost at the start of the hike. In my opinion, it's along this Rainbird Trail that offers the only suitable panoramic perspective peering down on the city of Ketchikan. Venturing among a dense forest landscape, I began pondering if such a lookout could even exist!? Although there was nothing mentioning where exactly the viewpoint was, eventually walking up an incline to the top of a ridge, the tall surroundings suddenly subsided and next glance all of Ketchikan was sitting below the horizon. This observation spot is located roughly 2/3rd's of the way into the hike, though depending upon which section of the trail you begin from... I started at the University of Southeast Alaska Parking Lot. You can leave your car at the college free of charge. Alternative starting points are the South Access and North Access according to a sign I stumbled upon, but I'm unaware where exactly those initiated from. I relied on Google Maps which took me straight to the UAS Campus Lot. One other note...the trailhead mentions that "the hike is steep and rocky in spots requiring sure footing and may not be suitable for all fitness levels". I disagree with this. I believe the path is relatively easy for everyone. It's casual without much elevation. For hiking in the morning time, the quiet setting transports you away from hectic downtown cruise ship arrivals. Ultimately, you're rewarded by a pleasant hike through nature without having to leave far from the port if you're just visiting for the day.

Came to this port on a cruise ship, got off the ship early in the morning and walked the couple…read moremiles through town to this trail - there are 3 places to enter this trail - one at the University, the other at the far end of town, and the other in the middle of the trail - the part of the trail starting at the University is the not maintained portioned, making it a little tougher and less easy to follow the part (I did get a tiny bit lost ~ 3 times but very quickly found my way back - my advice = stick to the rocks, if you see rocks below you, you're likely still on the path, if not, you've probably gone off it). The part of the trail starting at the far end of town to the middle part is the maintained part, easy/moderate, very pretty views. If you're fit and want to step up the adventure, definitely do the whole trail! You're near the highway most of the way, so hard to get all that lost, but it's not a busy road so you can't hear the highway most of the way. And I didn't feel unsafe, and saw a few hikers sparsely on the trail throughout. And I did hear some rainbird sounds!

Married Man's Trail is a nice little path in Ketchikan right off of the main Creek Street that is…read morefun to go up and check out for some nature vibes. It gets very muddy or icy so if it is rainy or snowy, tread with caution and wear proper shoes! This trail was a secret pathway into town right to the prostitution houses so they could discreetly be serviced without being caught (and escape afterwards!). Grab some sunglasses because they be shadddddy! Knowing the history makes this a funny little pit stop thinking of all the scandal that transpired in Ketchikan's old timey Red Light District. I love it! It isn't out of the way at all to stop here, plus you can see a different vantage point of the Salmon Ladder from a more aerial point. Now if you hike all the way up, it's 20 minutes one way. The entire walk is shaded but mind my cautions mentioned above about the weather. At the top of the hike, you can grab a bite to eat before heading back down. This isn't a difficult hike but is indeed uphill so keep that in mind if you are not in shape, you'll be breathing heavy. Photo ops all over including with the Married Man street style sign!

This short trail was amazing. You get to see the stream where the salmon swim to lay their eggs…read more During June we did not see any salmon but it was a lovely shaded walk with the surrounding trees and sounds of the water. I did wondered how this trail got its name but there was no info that I could see that explained it. At the end of the trail was Creek street. This street used to be the red light district and you can pay $10 to see the Dolly house museum. Overall, a lovely picturesque area and colorful houses. Definitely an iconic and must see place to visit when in Ketchikan.

A lovely place to check out if you have some extra time!…read more I visited the park in addition to another excursion I had booked for that day (via cruise). This park can be somewhat deceivingly small from the parking lot, but once you head down the walkway, there are a multitude of totems to learn about. It was really interesting learning not only about the history of the totems, but of the restoration projects being done to them as well. There is also a replica house that you can see the inside of too and great views of the water!

This was interesting. And the views were pretty. But if you have limited time, this could be…read moreskipped. We rode public transit about ($2/person) but it took us about 30 minutes each way. Spent less than an hour, which is more than enough time. The bus only runs through every hour on the '7' - so don't miss it. Overall, I was underwhelmed given the hype. $5/person entry fee. I would have been really annoyed if I had purchased an excursion package for this for $79 per person.

What a unique way to see and experience Alaska! We loved our kayak tour with Brenden and Addi…read more.. Best guides around! Anyone visiting Ketchikan needs to make this a part of their trip.

Brennan and Addy were amazing guides during our kayak adventure! They were so knowledgeable about…read morethe area and wildlife. Provided us so many opportunities for photos and kept things fun! Thank ya'll for such a fun morning on the ocean!

We docked in Ketchikan via an Alaskan cruise line. We decided to book through TripAdvisor instead…read moreof through our cruise because it was more economical. KKC had a great listing. We really appreciated that additional gear was provided at no charge. For example, they provided waterproof pants and a jacket! We booked the e-bike tour with hike through rainforest (because we love hiking and biking of course but also because we were on a budget and couldn't afford the kayaking). Although we mingled with the individuals who DID do the kayaking and they absolutely loved it. They were provided all their gear at no additional charge. KKC was very specific with their directions on where to meet them. As tourists and first timers on a cruise and first timers in Ketchikan, I was nervous I wouldn't be able to find them. However, Forest and Chris were very friendly and welcomed us as soon as we approached the group. The van ride to the facility was about 20 min. And our driver Chris was wonderful at telling us about the town and pointing unique things about the town (like the floating Safeway). Upon arrival - we met our tour guide Ryan. Even though he told us he had only been there for a few weeks, he was very knowledgeable about the area, about our hike and about the rainforest. He was engaged and really encouraged us to enjoy every aspect of the e-bike ride and to ask him anything and everything about the rainforest. He told us about unique plants and he even helped me be brave enough to try "rainforest spinach"!! There are two waterfalls that you'll pass during your bike ride and he learned how much I loved waterfalls. So on our way back, he made it a point to stop so I could take pictures. Ryan was wonderful to chat with and we had a wonderful time hiking and hiking with Ryan! Perhaps the biggest reason why I am giving a 5 star review is the hospitality and customer service we received! We made a big mistake with our excursion planning and had our next one starting before our e-bike reservation was scheduled to end. Forest was very kind to make multiple calls to help us resolve the issue. And then he and Ryan personally gave us a ride back to town early so we could make it to our next excursion! They made every effort to ensure we had a great time in Ketchikan and WE DID!! We will definitely come back for the kayaking and other excursions! Great company and great time! Oh - After our e-bike and hike, Chandler had prepared a nice appetizer and drink area for us. And we enjoyed so time mingling with others while watching boats sail in and out. Everyone was wonderful! We highly recommend!!!

Did the clover pass trip! They were super accommodating for my experience. I traveled alone to…read moreKetchikan and have significant kayak experience so I was very fortunate to be able to use a single. All of their boats, bibs, and pfds are incredible and the tandem kayaks looked like such a fun time! The trip was incredibly enjoyable thanks to our two guides, Koda and Dana. They were clear and concise when providing instructions, and they delivered them in a positive and supportive manner. They were super entertaining and radiated love for nature. Dana met us down at the #3 berth and was very inviting, immediately engaging all of us in conversation, telling us what would happen next. She had such a positive attitude and gave a great tour while driving us to the site for kayaking. It is obvious that she is an incredible asset to a team both on and off the water! On the trip another guide joined us, so both Koda and Dana led us to some beautiful views. They expertly pointed out seals, eagles, and a rare sighting of a baby deer along the shoreline! They taught us exciting facts about the trees, the moss, the tides, and other fascinating topics. The tour was perfectly timed and never felt rushed, even in the end as rain was nearing. Koda and Dana were so on top of predicting how much time it would take us to paddle to different places, and they both made great calls about avoiding white caps and redirecting to other equally beautiful routes. I cannot recommend enough that you book this kayak experience and ask for Dana and Koda to be your tour guide! Koda also does the biking tour some days, and if I had enough time, I would've booked that excursion as well! She is so knowledgeable, respectful of nature, and kind! The snacks are also great!!

We chose the Rainforest Canoe & Nature trail. The experience was great overall. It's not for…read moreeveryone as the canoe requires guests to actually paddle ;) ( some don't ) The nature trail and lake are amazing and well worth the trip. Our guide Jack was excellent!, super fun and informative.. Jack, please use your gratuity wisely and get new boots before next season The transportation to and from is less than stellar. The driver Michael was great, very pleasant and informative. My gripe was the necessity to use a 40' bus to get 14 people to the lake. It was built for 80+ kids and felt like an unloaded logger.

Colt was amazing! We were wet and cold on our canoe trip to Tongass forest, but his humor,…read moreinteresting dialogue, and high energy made it easy to forget! Hannah had a great snack for us of chowder, (really very good), salmon dip, and hot cocoa. We enjoyed the beautiful lake and views! Thank you all for a wonderful adventure! Sincerely, The family from Florida that couldn't stop laughing P.S. Don't eat any skunk cabbage!

The critical review below compelled me to share my experience on Sumdum. You will not find better…read morepeople than Captain Bob, Ann and Treva. They will show SE Alaska in a way most will never see it. Their local knowledge is second to none. Everything they do is tailored for the client, even the smallest details. The boat is specially suited for life in Alaska and is meticulously maintained. Safety is a top priority and to question their commitment to safety is pure nonsense. The food is excellent and locally sourced. The scenery is stunning regardless of the weather conditions. These people will put you in areas the large ships cannot navigate. I am thrilled that I have had the opportunity to share this experience with my family. I look forward to going again.

Just came home from a once in a lifetime week long charter on the SUMDUM. The experience was so…read moreamazing I can't even put it into words. The wildlife, scenery, ship, food, crew and every aspect of the trip was first class. I'm very perplexed by the one and only bad review! I've grown up around boats and the SUMDUM is one of the best laid out vessels for an adventure in SE Alaska and in pristine condition. I'm 6"4 and my bed was very comfortable. We had two standard twins in our cabin with lots of room and storage. My daughter and her friend had another stateroom the same and no complaints. My daughter whose only 14 said this trip was the most fun thing she's ever done, I will agree with that statement for sure. Captain Bob was an absolute blast to hang out with and was a wonderful tour guide. Ann was so much fun also and her food was beyond this world!! They had a crew member named Riley, he was attentive, helpful and kept the ship spotless! I'd give these guys ten stars if I could!!! Thanks again SUMDUM family for a trip of a lifetime!!

Amazing trip due to their awesome staff and our incredible guide Jeff Allred. Jeff was…read moreknowledgeable, patient and he made sure we were in the fish and had great tunes to listen to the whole time. The trip was epic and Jeff was fantastic. Excellent food, spectacular location and helpful staff. This place is the bomb!

Resort staff was amazing except for the important one, our guide. Jeff A. ("Jiggy"). First day, a…read morehalf day, Jiggy was short, gruff and barely personable. The three of us have been on sport fishing boats for 40 years from Cabo San Lucas, San Diego, Neah Bay to Seward. We can deal with short, gruff and barely personable boat captains. What we couldn't deal with is he got gruffer, quieter and more non-responsive as the 5 day trip went on. The tipping point was on day 3 when he decided on his own we would spend all day going after our now limit of only 2 Kings. 3 hours in to this quest he hadn't told us about, he revealed it to us. I then calmly explained to him we were after quantity (Silvers, halibut, black rock) not these 2 fish. The only way I can explain his response is he went into utter shutdown, non-communicative, gruffer, friendly as a rattlesnake. 2+ hours before heading in he suggested because the fishing was so bad we should go in early. Never had we ever heard that from a boat captain. We said we would fish until the end. The result, one silver one rock fish for the whole day we had spent $3000 for. When we got back to the dock, boat after boat came in with limits.The fishing wasn't bad, Captain Jiggy had given up, for who knows why. One us went and spoke to the General Manager. No known action was taken but it appeared Jiggy was told about our complaint. Next day and last half day, same mopey Jiggy but thankfully we caught a barely acceptable amount of fish on day 4 (almost limit of silver, one black, 0 halibut) and then 2 silvers on the last half day. We then went and spoke to the assistant manager. She was nice but nothing happened. We suggested making up for the loss of fish on day 3 but she said that was illegal. Now to be clear, the day three skunking we took was not do to a bad fish day or bad fishing, it was Captain Jiggy going through the motions and hitting one blank spot after another. He did not appear to coordinate or even ask other captains where the action was. My polite response to his quest for 2 kings apparently sent him in to an emotional downward spiral. Not cool of him, and not cool we got no help from management. Very expensive trip for very crappy memories.