Welcome to the Alaska Region!

Alaska's National Forests

Where nature, people, and tradition come together.

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The Alaska region is home to two of the nation’s largest national forests, the Chugach and Tongass, traditional homelands of Alaska Native peoples. The Alaska Region offers amazing diversity and a multitude of uses. Learn more about the region on our theme webpage, in our bimonthly SourDough News and in our Media Toolkit.

  • Chugach National Forest

    Colorful alpine lake in the Chugach.

    A breathtaking landscape in the heart of southcentral. The Chugach is the backyard for over half of Alaskan's and a coveted destination for hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

  • Tongass National Forest

    Mendenhall Glacier reflects into Mendenhall Lake

    The nation's largest national forest covers most of southeast. The Tongass offers opportunities to view eagles, bears, spawning salmon, and breath-taking vistas of wild Alaska.

  • Alaska Forest Health

    Workers checking a spruce beetle trap

    Diseases, insects, disorders, and invasive plants impact forest health. Find reports, identification guides, and more resources for stewarding Alaska's forests.

Features

Proposed Recreation Fees Information and Comment Page

The proposed changes include new and increased fees at recreation sites including 17 sites on the Tongass and one cabin on the Chugach National Forest. These changes will help improve and maintain recreation facilities such as cabins, campgrounds, day-use sites and wildlife veiwing sites. The recreation fees charged at Forest Service managed sites contribute to the stewardship of these special places.

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Biden-Harris Administration Finalizes Protections for Tongass National Forest

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2023 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today finalized protections for the Tongass National Forest in Alaska, the world’s largest intact temperate rainforest. USDA’s final rule, announced today, repeals the 2020 Alaska Roadless Rule and restores longstanding roadless protections to 9.37 million acres of roadless areas that support the ecological, economic and cultural values of Southeastern Alaska. Read the official press release from the USDA.

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