Hiking
Explore your Forest! With over 700 miles of trails, hiking is the perfect way to experience the wonders of the Tongass. There are trails for every age and ability, from short ADA accessible boardwalks to rugged alpine trails that offer backpacking opportunities.
If you choose an adventurous hike, remember your waterproof boots, warm clothes and raingear. In this rainforest, land is wet most of the year. Trails through boggy areas require special trail building techniques to protect fragile habitats. Many trails are planks raised over the wet ground to protect both the environment and hikers' feet. Elsewhere, especially in the woods, corduroy (small logs laid side-by-side on the ground to provide footing in the mud) may help you across a boggy patch before you hit the drier forest duff. Wooden steps, some made out of split logs, will help you up steep slopes. Raised planks may not be enough to keep your feet dry, so you can check with local district offices for the appropriate foot gear and current trail conditions before you go.
As you hike, keep your eyes open for nature's surprises, from tiny bog plants to far-from-tiny bears. In bear country, wearing bear bells, talking or singing loudly and generally making human sounds can make life easier for both you and the bears. Reading about Bear Safety is a good idea if this is your first trip to the Tongass.
Backpacking
Backpacking Information
Whether you're roughing it in a tent or planning a family picnic, there are many ways to make sure that your experience is fun and safe.
Be prepared
- Pack a first aid kit. Your kit can prove invaluable if you or a member of your group suffers a cut, bee sting or allergic reaction. Pack antiseptics for cuts and scrapes, tweezers, insect repellent, a snake bite kit, pain relievers, and sunscreen. Tailor your kit to your family's special needs.
- Learn ABC - Airway, Breathing, & Circulation. Know how to perform CPR and basic first aid. Recognizing serious injuries will enable you to attend to a victim until medical help arrives.
- Bring emergency supplies. In addition to a first aid kit, you should also have a map of the area, compass, flashlight, knife, waterproof fire starter, personal shelter, whistle, warm clothing, high energy food, water, water-purifying tablets, and insect repellant.
- Check the elements
- Check the weather report before you leave home. When you arrive at the site, keep on eye on the skies for changes and, if possible, carry a compact weather radio. In inclement weather, take shelter until the bad weather passes. Stay dry - wet clothes contribute to heat loss.
- Forest and grassland home pages post alerts you should know before you go. Many of our forests and grasslands also post alerts on social media.
Backpacking Areas
- Craig RD
- One Duck Shelter Site
- Salmon Lake Cabin
- Hoonah RD
- Lisianski River Trail
- Neka Hot Springs Swimming Site
- Juneau RD
- Auk Nu Trail
- Dan Moller Cabin
- Dan Moller Trail
- Heintzleman Ridge Trail
- Mt. McGinnis Trail
- Peterson Lake Trail
- Pt. Bishop Trail
- Treadwell Ditch Trail
- Ketchikan - Misty RD
- Deer Mountain Shelter Site
- Deer Mountain Trailhead
- Petersburg RD
- Petersburg Lake Trailhead
- Portage Mountain Loop Trail
- Raven Trail
- Sitka RD
- Drypass Trail
- Fred's Creek Cabin Trail
- Goulding Trail
- Harbor Mt./gavan Hill Trail
- Lake Eva Trail
- Mt Edgecumbe Midway Shelter
- Mt Edgecumbe Trail
- Mud Bay Mooring Buoy
- Mud Bay Shelter
- Salmon Lake/ Redoubt Lake Trail
- Silver Bay Mooring Buoy
- White Sulphur Springs Trail
- Thorne Bay RD
- Karta Lake Cabin
- Karta River Cabin
- Wrangell RD
- Aaron Creek Trail
- Berg Creek Trail
- Institute Creek Trail
- North Wrangell Trail
General Hiking
Hiking is a wonderful way to see and experience the many wonders of our nation’s forests. Visit your forest’s ranger district office, our All Maps page, or National Forest Store to obtain a trail map to help you plan your route based on your ability, available time and interest. Please follow these safety tips to ensure a safe journey:
- Links
- Other info
- Being prepared includes knowing how to be a responsible hiker. Learn more on our Responsible Recreation page.
- Stay on marked trails.
- Don’t hike alone. Let the slowest person in your party set the pace. This is especially important when children are a part of your group.
- Leave your itinerary with a friend or family member and check in with them upon your return.
- Develop an emergency plan before you start your trip. Make sure everyone knows what to do if they become lost or a medical emergency arises. Give children whistles with the instructions to "stop and blow" if they become lost.
- Take frequent rests or vary your pace to maintain your energy level.
- Drink plenty of water, even on cool, wet days. Never drink your entire supply between refills.
- Wear appropriate clothing, including sturdy boots that are broken in and are comfortable.
- Consider using a hiking pole or walking stick to help maintain your balance in unlevel or hazardous areas.
- Be aware of your surroundings, and pre-plan your approach before hiking through more hazardous areas. Wet surfaces can be a hazard and even more so if it's on a slope.
- Consider what you'll do if you start to slide or fall so that you are prepared.
- If falling, do not try to catch yourself; try to avoid landing on your hands, elbows or knees. Landing on the side of your body is much safer.
- If the slope is such where you know you are going to slide, lowering your center of gravity, by sitting down and sliding on your feet or bottom, is safer.
- If sliding while standing up, keep your weight over your feet and bend your knees—do not lean back or forward while sliding.
- If on a day hike, extra weight wears you down and reduces your agility over uneven terrain. Pack as light as possible. Leave the extras behind, but consider bringing these essentials:
- Map
- Sunglasses and a hat
- Sunscreen
- Flashlight
- Waterproof matches
- First aid kit
- Water and water-purifying tablets
- High-energy bars, granola, candy, or fruit
- Extra clothing. Temperatures can change dramatically, particularly if there is an elevation change. For every 1,000 feet of elevation gain, the temperature often drops three to five degrees.
Day Hikes
See general hiking info.
- Links
- Other info
- On a day hike, extra weight wears you down and reduces your agility over uneven terrain. Pack as light as possible. Leave the extras behind, but consider bringing these essentials:
- Map
- Sunglasses and a hat
- Sunscreen
- Flashlight
- Waterproof matches
- First aid kit
- Water and water-purifying tablets
- High-energy bars, granola, candy, or fruit
- Extra clothing. Temperatures can change dramatically, particularly if there is an elevation change. For every 1,000 feet of elevation gain, the temperature often drops three to five degrees.
- On a day hike, extra weight wears you down and reduces your agility over uneven terrain. Pack as light as possible. Leave the extras behind, but consider bringing these essentials:
Day Hiking Areas
- Admiralty Island National Monument
- Admiralty Cove Cabin
- Admiralty Cove To N. Young Lk Trail
- Church Bight Cabin
- Davidson Lake Shelter
- Davidson To Salt Lake Trail
- Distin Lake Cabin
- Distin To Thayer Trail
- Florence Lake (East) Cabin
- Hasselborg Creek Cabin
- Hasselborg Creek Trail
- Hasselborg Lake Shelter
- Hasselborg To Guerin Trail
- Hasselborg To Mckinney Trail
- Kanalku Trail
- Lake Alexander Shelter
- Lake Florence Trail
- Little Shaheen Cabin
- Mitchell Bay Shelter
- Mole Harbor Shelter
- Mole Harbor To Alexander Trail
- North Young To South Young Trail
- Pack Creek Trail
- Pack Creek Wildlife Viewing Site
- Pybus Bay Cabin
- Salt Lake To Mitchell Bay Trail
- Thayer Lake Shelter South
- Thayer To Salt Lake Trail
- Young Lake North Cabin
- Young Lake South Cabin
- Craig RD
- Balls Lake Picnic Site
- Beaver Falls Karst Trailhead Site Trailhead
- Canoe Point Picnic Site
- Canoe Point Trailhead Site Trailhead
- Eagles Nest Campground
- Harris River Campground
- Harris River Trailhead Site Trailhead
- Kegan Cove Cabin
- Kegan Creek Cabin
- Kegan Lake Trail
- One Duck Trail
- Trocadero Trail
- Twenty Mile Spur Trail
- Hoonah RD
- George Island WIW Canon Trail
- Greentop Cabin Trail
- Lemesurier Island Lake Trail
- Lisianski River Trail
- Lower Suntaheen River Trailhead
- Stag Bay Trail
- Stag River Trail
- Takanis Lake Trail
- Wukuklook Beach Trail
- Wukuklook Beach Trailhead
- Juneau RD
- 25 Mile Road Trailhead
- Amalga Trail
- Auk Nu Trail
- Bessie Creek Trail
- Blackerby Ridge Route Trail
- Bonnie Brae Access Treadwell Trail
- Cowee Creek Trail
- Crystal Lake Trail
- Dan Moller Cabin
- Dan Moller Trail
- Denver Caboose Cabin
- Denver Trail
- Eagle Glacier Cabin
- East Glacier Trail
- Heintzleman Ridge Trail
- Herbert Glacier Trail
- John Muir Cabin
- Jordan Creek Spur Trail
- Laughton Glacier Cabin
- Laughton Glacier Trail
- Lemon Creek Trail
- Mendenhall Glacier Interpretive Visitor Center
- Mendenhall Lake Campground
- Mgra Dredge Lake Loop Trail
- Mgra Moose Lake Trail
- Mgra Old River Trail
- Montana Creek Trail
- Moraine Ecology Trail
- Mt. McGinnis Trail
- Nugget Creek Trail
- Nugget Falls Trail
- Peterson Creek Trail
- Peterson Lake Trail
- Power Line Trail
- Pt. Bishop Trail
- Skater's Cabin Picnic Site
- Spaulding Trail
- Steep Creek Wildlife Viewing Site
- Sturgil's Camp Picnic Site
- Taylor Lake Trail
- Trail Of Time Trail
- Treadwell Ditch Trail
- West Glacier Trail
- West Turner Lake Trail
- Windfall Lake Cabin
- Windfall Lake Trail
- Yankee Basin Trail
- Ketchikan - Misty RD
- Bakewell Lake Trail
- Betton Island Trail
- Black Mountain Trail
- Carlanna Lake Trail
- Carlanna Lake Trailhead
- Checats Lake Trail
- Connell Lake Trail
- Deer Mountain Shelter Site
- Deer Mountain Trailhead
- Deer Mt - John Mountain Spur Trail
- Deer Mt - Mahoney Mt Spur Trail
- Dude Mountain Trailhead
- Ella Bay Buoy Trailhead
- Ella Lake Trailhead
- Fish Creek Cabin
- Frog Pond Trailhead
- Gokachin Lake Trailhead
- Hugh Smith Trailhead
- Humpback Lake Trailhead
- Last Chance Campground
- Long Lake Trailhead
- Low Lake/big Lake Trailhead
- Lunch Creek Trail
- Manzanita Lake Cabin
- Manzanita Lake Trail
- Margaret Creek Wildlife Viewing Area
- Mcdonald Lake Trailhead
- Meyers Chuck Trailhead
- Minerva Mountain Trail
- Mink Bay Buoy Trailhead
- Naha River National Recreation Trail
- Nooya Lake Trailhead
- Orchard Lake Trailhead
- Perseverance Trailhead
- Pipeline Trailhead
- Punchbowl Cove Buoy Trailhead
- Punchbowl Lake Trailhead
- Reflection Lake Trailhead
- Salvage Trailhead
- Shelokum Lake Trailhead
- Short Bay Buoy Trailhead
- Signal Creek Campground
- Silvis Lake Trailhead
- Titan Trailhead
- Ward Creek - Amana Gulch Trailhead
- Ward Creek - Last Chance Trailhead
- Ward Creek Trailhead
- Ward Lake Nature Trailhead
- Winstanley Creek Buoy Trailhead
- Winstanley Lake Trailhead
- Petersburg RD
- Affleck Canal Portage Trail
- Bay Of Pillars Portage Trailhead
- Big John Bay Cabin
- Big John Bay Trail
- Blind River Rapids Shelter
- Blind River Rapids Trailhead
- Cascade Creek Cabin
- Cascade Creek Trail
- Castle Flats Cabin
- Castle River Cabin
- Castle River Trail
- Cathedral Falls Trail
- Claptrap Trail
- Colp Lake Trail
- Crane Lake Trail
- Falls Lake Shelter
- Goose Lake Trail
- Hamilton Creek Trail
- Harvey Lake Trail
- Hill Lake Trail
- Ideal Cove Trail
- Kah Sheets Bay Cabin
- Kah Sheets Lake Cabin
- Kah Sheets Lake Trail
- Manmade Hole Picnic Ground Picnic Site
- Ohmer Creek Trailhead
- Petersburg Lake Cabin
- Petersburg Lake Trail
- Petersburg Lake Trailhead
- Petersburg Mountain Trailhead
- Pirate's Peak Trail
- Portage Mountain Loop Trail
- Raven Trail
- Raven's Roost Cabin
- Salt Chuck East Cabin
- Sand Lake Trail
- Spurt Lake Trail
- Swan Lake Cabin
- Three Lakes Shelter
- Three Lakes Trailheads Trailhead
- Threemile Arm Portage Trail
- Twin Creek Shelter
- Sitka RD
- Beaver Lake Trail
- Davidof Trail
- Drypass Trail
- Estuary Life Trail
- Gavan Hill Trailhead
- Goulding Trail
- Harbor Mt./gavan Hill Trail
- Harbor-Gavan Hill Shelter
- Herring Cove Trail
- Indian River Trail
- Kook Lake Trail
- Lake Eva Trail
- Lake Suloia Trail
- Mosquito Cove Trail
- Mt Edgecumbe Midway Shelter
- Mt Edgecumbe Trail
- Mud Bay LTF Cua Trailhead
- Mud Bay Mooring Buoy
- Mud Bay Shelter
- Port Banks Trail
- Port Mary Trail
- Salmon Lake/ Redoubt Lake Trail
- Sawmill Creek Campground
- Shelikof Trail
- Silver Bay Mooring Buoy
- Sitkoh Lake Trail
- Starrigavan Rec Area Wildlife Viewing Site
- Starrigavan Valley Loop B Trail
- Starrigavan Valley Loop C Trail
- Starrigavan Valley Mainline Trail
- Thimbleberry/heart Lake Trail
- Verstovia Trail
- White Sulphur Springs Trail
- Thorne Bay RD
- Josephine Lake Cabin
- Karta River Trail
- Red Bay Lake Trail
- Salt Chuck Trail
- Shipley Bay Trail
- Wrangell RD
- Aaron Creek Trail
- Anan Bay Cabin
- Anan Creek Trail
- Anan Lake Cabin
- Berg Bay Cabin
- Berg Creek Trail
- Gut Island #1 Cabin
- Gut Island #2 Cabin
- Institute Creek Trail
- Koknuk Cabin
- Kunk Lake Trail
- Little Dry Island Cabin
- Long Lake Shelter
- Long Lake Trail
- Mallard Slough Cabin
- Mallard Slough Trail
- Mill Creek Trail
- Nemo Saltwater Access Trailhead
- North Wrangell Trail
- Rainbow Falls Trail
- Salamander Ridge Trail
- Thoms Lake Trail
- Yakutat RD
- Dangerous River Trailhead
- Harlequin Lake Trail
- Lower Dangerous River Trail
- Maggie John Trailhead
- Mountain Lake Trail
- Russell Fiord Trail
- Situk Lake Trailhead
- Situk River Trailhead
- Van Der Hyde Trail
Search for Hiking Opportunities
25 Mile Road Trailhead
Site Open
25 Mile Road Trailhead
Admiralty Cove Cabin
This is a typical Pan Abode cabin with an oil stove for heat. It has sleeping space for 4 to 6 people. An old CCC shelter is on site providing an additional covered area. The cabin rests on a level…
Admiralty Island National Monument
Recreation opportunities on Admiralty Island National MonumentÂ
Anan Bay Cabin
Site Open
16' x 20' cabin with loft constructed from Western Red Cedar, 2 single bunks, table, benches, and oil heater (#1 stove oil only). Bedding, cooking utensils, stove oil not provided.
Anan Lake Cabin
14' x 16' hunter style cabin with 2 single bunks, 2 double bunks, table, benches, oil stove (#1 stove oil only), and 14' skiff with oars. Bedding, cooking utensils, stove oil, life jackets not…
Balls Lake Picnic Site
The picnic area contains a large community shelter built of locally milled yellow cedar timber, and includes a fire ring and two picnic tables. A trailhead for Balls Lake Trail is located near the…
Bay Of Pillars Portage Trailhead
The trailheads are located at Port Camden and Bay of Pillars, and are marked with large red and white trail diamonds, although they can be difficult to find. The majority of the trail surface is…
Beaver Falls Karst Trailhead Site Trailhead
This 1.5 mile (round trip) trail provides access to everyone who wants an opportunity to see the karst world up close without entering a cave. At the trailhead you will find a gravel parking area,…
Berg Bay Cabin
16' x 16' A-frame cabin overlooks Berg Bay and Blake Channel. Cabin has 2 single bunks, table, benches, loft, and oil heater (#1 stove oil only).
Big John Bay Cabin
The Big John Bay single level hunter style cabin has an oil heater (#1 stove oil only), 4 single bunks, wooden table and benches, counter, pit-type outhouse, and covered porch. Stove oil, bedding,…