Emerald Forest Tours

Lots of companies offer sightseeing tours in Ketchikan, but Emerald Forest Tours runs only private, custom tours to ensure you get the inside scoop on this fascinating Alaskan city. And since the intimate tours are for your group only, you’ll have lots of interaction with your expert guide.

Custom Trips For Your Group

On board an 11-passenger van, you’ll head out on your choice of private tours: 90 minutes (2 stops), 3 hours (4 stops), or 4 hours (the extra time is especially great if you’re a photographer or traveling in a large group). Kids are welcome: Since it’s a private tour, it’s easy to bring children along.

The 3-hour tour is the most popular and includes 4 main stops, but you can customize it according to your interests. Add or subtract stops, or choose to spend more time at a certain location and less time at others. Throughout the tour, your guide will provide advice and insights.

The 4 Main Tour Stops

• Herring Cove. A chance to see bears, seals, and bald eagles in a gorgeous location that includes a big grassy space and all 5 species of salmon. Groups usually spend about 20–25 minutes here.
• Waterfalls. Close to Herring Cove is a dramatic waterfall showcasing the power of nature. Walk 10 minutes further and you’ll find a second waterfall. This stop averages 15–30 minutes.
• Inner Passage. Here you’ll be looking for crabs and sea anemones, as well as purple and orange sea stars, which make an appearance depending on the tide. Even if wildlife is hiding under a high tide, it’s worth visiting for the scenic beauty alone. Groups spend 35–40 minutes here.
• Herring Bay Village: Discover the charm of Herring Bay Village, where history, culture, and craftsmanship come together. Wander through a Native Totem Park filled with stories, explore a historic sawmill, and watch local blacksmiths hand-forge knives from recycled steel and Sitka black-tailed deer antlers.

Rainforest Hike

Experience Ketchikan’s lush rainforest up close on this guided hiking adventure that blends natural beauty, wildlife, and local insight. Your private tour begins with a scenic 30-minute drive along the Inside Passage before setting out on an easy-to-moderate 1.5-mile trail through towering evergreens and moss-draped trees. Along the way, stop to admire waterfalls, rivers, and sweeping ocean vistas as your expert guide shares stories about the unique plants and ecosystems of this temperate rainforest. Keep an eye out for bald eagles overhead and sea lions or harbor seals playing in the waters below. Perfect for families and groups of all ages, this 3-hour tour offers a comfortable pace set by your group—and one flat rate for up to 11 guests.

About Emerald Forest Tours

Your guides are the company owners, and they’re hyper-focused on you and your group having the most enjoyable, inspirational trip possible. Since they’re year-round locals, they can give you a real insider’s take on what living here is all about. And with your permission, they’ll even take photos and shoot video along the way so you can focus on fully enjoying the experience. They also offer wintertime tours, as well as tours in Spanish (which you won’t find elsewhere in Ketchikan).