Active Adventures
Surrounded by mountains, water and a 17 million acre forest, there is no shortage of adventure opportunities in Ketchikan. The Tongass National Forest is managed for recreational and wilderness use. Day hikes are popular, especially up Deer Mountain (3,000 ft), which serves as the backdrop of downtown Ketchikan. Other trails such as Perseverance and Connell Lake are accessed through the Ward Lake Recreation Area seven miles north of town and at Settler’s Cove State Park 18 miles north.
For backcountry exploration, drop off service is available from local floatplane operators and charter boats to remote trailheads. Or consider overnighting in a US Forest Service recreation cabin. Of the 150 sites available for public use throughout the forest, 80 are accessible from Ketchikan, many have trails adjacent to them for further exploration.
The protected waters of the Inside Passage encourage boating and kayaking amidst scenery that will take your breath away. Day trip options range from paddling along the downtown waterfront, to more remote locations. Multi-day trips through popular areas like Misty Fiords National Monument are available through local kayak guides, and the US Forest Service provides resources for self guided trips, including a kayak ranger stationed within the monument area.