907-821-4328 ketchikan.ak@emeraldforestours.com
Pricing
$795 group rate for up to 11 guests
Duration
3 Hour Private Tour
Overview
Discover the magic of the Tongass National Rainforest on a private guided hike suitable for all ages. This maintained forest trail follows alongside a rushing rainforest river, leading you past cascading waterfalls, towering old‑growth trees, and moss‑draped viewpoints that feel straight out of a storybook.
As you explore, your guide brings the rainforest to life with insights into local plants, wildlife, and the remarkable ecosystem that makes the Tongass the largest temperate rainforest on Earth. Eventually, the trail opens to the shoreline of the Inside Passage, where low tide reveals a vibrant world of marine life — starfish, crabs, sea anemones, kelp forests, and more.
The hike covers approximately 1.5 miles round‑trip on a well‑maintained gravel trail rated easy to moderate, with stairs and gentle inclines along the way. Because this is a private tour, the pace is entirely shaped by your group’s comfort and interests.
This three‑hour experience includes a scenic 30‑minute drive along the Inside Passage to the trailhead and a 30‑minute return drive to your cruise ship, with about two hours spent exploring the rainforest with your guide.
Capacity
Our vans can accommodate up to 11 guests per reservation. If your group is at or near this maximum capacity, please consider the body sizes and comfort needs of everyone in your group to ensure there is adequate space for all guests.

Visually you will be awed by the massive trees, moss covered forest floors, ferns, cascades, and flowing river.

Listen to the diverse sounds of rushing cascades, rivers, rainfall, wildlife, and even the trees swaying in the wind.

Smell the crisp scent of cedar, wet moss, and fresh rainforest air.

Feel the softness of the moss and the textures of the trees and plants.

Taste the edible berries that our forest has to offer when the season is right.
Pick up/Drop off
If your ship is docked in town or at Ward Cove, your tour guide will meet your group at your cruise ship 10 minutes before your arranged start time, holding a sign that reads Emerald Forest Tours.
Drop-off is back to your ship or anywhere in town if you plan to walk around and see the sights before boarding your cruise ship!
Drop-off is back to your ship.
Clothing to consider
We average 145 inches of rain a year and average temperatures from April to September range between 55 - 65 degrees. Pack clothing depending on your sensitivity to possible rain and chilly weather.
Maximum Guests per booking:
Maximum 11 guests per booking (Tour van holds 11 guests, including passenger seat).
Cancelation Policy
Our cancellation policy is flexible and understanding. We kindly ask you give us 2 weeks notice before your scheduled reservation, so we have adequate time to fill the spot. We also understand that unexpected circumstances may arise, and if you need to cancel even within 24 hours of your tour, we will happily provide a full refund.

As a BBB‑accredited business, our company meets the Better Business Bureau’s established standards for integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct, providing guests with confidence in our professionalism and accountability.
We also operate under State of Alaska commercial use permits that authorize us to conduct guided hikes on state parks in accordance with established regulations.
Emerald Forest Tours
Ketchikan Alaska
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