State Parks and National Parks

The Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the United States, covers almost 17 million acres and is larger than the state of West Virginia.

The forest's vastness is matched only by the magnificence of its scenery. The region is packed with glaciers, mountains, wilderness areas, waterways and thousands of islands.

The forest occupies the panhandle of southeastern Alaska including nearly all of the area that is called the Inside Passage.

A Southeast Alaska Discovery Center is in Ketchikan with world class exhibits.

The Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau is one of the most frequently-visited glaciers in the world and is served by a new Forest Service Visitor Center.

The forest has 19 wilderness areas encompassing 5.7 million acres. It includes the 1-million-acre Admiralty Island National Monument, with a larger population of grizzly bears per square mile than anywhere else in the world.

Also, the 2.3 million-acre Misty Fiords National Monument is known for its narrow fiords, steep walled canyons and spectacular waterfalls.

In the Tongass, visitors can hike between shore communities and trailheads to reach lakes and alpine meadows.

The forest is in a temperate rain forest zone and receives more than 80 inches of rain per year. Visitors can use the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry System to transport their vehicle, kayak or backpack between communities to reach lakes, rivers and glaciers.

Nature viewing opportunities abound, and include marine birds and mammals, including seals and whales.

The phone number of the forest's Petersburgh office is 907-772-3841.