Private tour Ketchikan: Just your group in the van

Your own van, your own pace: bears and waterfalls without the crowd

You ride in a private van with just your group, stopping at a wildlife viewing field, a rainforest waterfall, tide pools along the coast, and the Native Totem Park and blacksmith shop at Herring Bay Village. The guide adjusts the pace to what interests you, wildlife sightings are never guaranteed but the scenery is constant, and entry fees to Herring Bay are paid on arrival.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ketchikan's nature and culture

• Visit open grassy field for wildlife
• See bears, eagles, salmon, seals
• Walk to waterfall and rainforest
• Explore tide pools and coastal wildlife
• Visit Native Totem Park
• Watch blacksmiths at Bifrost Blacksmithing

The experience

The van pulls away from the Port of Ketchikan and within minutes you're standing in an open grassy field where bears, bald eagles, salmon and seals show up to feed. Your guide knows the spots where wildlife congregates, but here's the honest part: sightings depend on season and the animals' own schedule, so you might see everything or nothing. What you will see is the landscape that draws them: the creeks, the open meadows, the raw Alaskan coast. It's just your group in the vehicle, which means you stop when someone wants a photo, linger when the light is right, move on when you're ready.

After the wildlife viewing, you walk steps from the van to a waterfall that drops into rainforest so thick you can barely see the sky. The mist hits your face and you're standing inside the green, shooting photos from angles you didn't expect to find. Then the tide pools come next: rocky and sandy terrain along the coastal inner passage where you can spot purple and orange starfish, crabs, sea anemones, sea urchins. Eagles sit in the trees above. Seals float in the water. If the season is right, wild edible berries grow here too, and you can pick and eat them while you're crouched over the pools. The variety changes with the tide, so what's exposed depends on when you arrive.

The last stop is Herring Bay Village, where a guide walks you through the Native Totem Park and explains the stories carved into each piece. Then you move into Bifrost Blacksmithing, where Jake and Joron hand-forge knives from recycled steel with handles made from Sitka black-tailed deer antlers. You watch them work, see the finished pieces, understand why each one is different. Entry to the village, the park and the blacksmith shop is $10 per person (ages 12 and under, $5). Bottled water is included throughout the day, and the whole tour runs three to four hours depending on what holds your attention.

What’s included

• Your day includes private van transportation for your group only, a bottled water supply throughout the tour, stops at a wildlife viewing field, a rainforest waterfall, tide pools along the coastal inner passage, and Herring Bay Village with its Native Totem Park and Bifrost Blacksmithing workshop.
• Entry fees to Herring Bay ($10 per adult, $5 for children 12 and under) are paid on arrival.
• The tour runs three to four hours and adjusts to your pace and interests.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day16 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 16:30

Book up to1d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Emerald Forest Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if your group wants to explore Ketchikan's rainforest, coast and wildlife without sharing a van with strangers or following a fixed itinerary: the private vehicle and flexible pace let you spend time on what matters to you instead of keeping to a schedule.

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Top questions

Can you guarantee I'll see bears or bald eagles?

No. Wildlife sightings depend on season and the animals' daily movements, which are unpredictable. The tour visits locations chosen for their scenery and wildlife potential, but sightings are never guaranteed.

How long is the tour?

Three to four hours, depending on how long you spend at each stop.

What's included in the price?

Private van transportation, bottled water, and the guide. Entry to Herring Bay Village (Totem Park and blacksmith shop) costs $10 per person ($5 for ages 12 and under), paid on arrival.

Is this suitable for young children?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. The tour is designed for all ages and fitness levels.

What should I bring?

Wear layers and bring a camera. Food, snacks and drinks should be consumed outside the van at the various stops, not inside the vehicle.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation to the starting point?

The tour departs from the Port of Ketchikan. Public transportation options are available nearby if you need them.