The Last Frontier
Alaska
The largest national forests in the country, glaciers reaching the sea, and wilderness that makes the Lower 48 look tame.
Alaska at a Glance
Largest National Forest
Tongass National Forest covers 17 million acres, making it the largest national forest in the US and home to the world's largest temperate rainforest
Glaciers
Chugach National Forest contains the largest non-polar icefield in the world, the Harding Icefield, and over 100 glaciers
Salmon Runs
Tongass supports all five Pacific salmon species, with annual runs feeding bears, eagles, and entire coastal ecosystems
Brown Bears
Alaska has the highest density of brown bears in the world, with over 30,000 bears across the state
Scale
Tongass National Forest alone is larger than the state of West Virginia, covering a third of Alaska's southeastern panhandle
Midnight Sun
Fairbanks sees nearly 22 hours of daylight in June, allowing for extended summer hiking well into the evening
When to Visit
June through August for accessible trails and long daylight hours. Southeast Alaska (Tongass) is rainy year-round but trails are open. Interior forests see snow from October through May. Shoulder seasons bring the best wildlife viewing.
Top Activities
Gateway Cities
Juneau
Alaska's capital sits within Tongass National Forest and is accessible only by air or sea. Mendenhall Glacier is a short drive from downtown.
Anchorage
Gateway to Chugach National Forest, with the Chugach Mountains rising directly behind the city and hundreds of trails accessible within an hour.
Ketchikan
Southern entrance to Tongass, with easy access to Misty Fjords National Monument and some of the best fishing in the state.
Did You Know?
Tongass National Forest contains over 11,000 miles of coastline, more than the entire contiguous United States.
Chugach National Forest's Portage Glacier has retreated over 3 miles since 1914, one of the most dramatic examples of glacial retreat in North America.
Alaska's Misty Fjords National Monument within Tongass receives up to 200 inches of rain per year, creating some of the most dramatic coastal scenery on Earth.
The Resurrection Pass Trail in Chugach National Forest is one of the most popular backcountry ski tours in Alaska, with USFS cabins spaced a day's travel apart.
Tongass National Forest provides habitat for the Alexander Archipelago wolf, a subspecies found only in Southeast Alaska.