Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary is located at Wood Road on South Tongass Highway in Ketchikan, Alaska. It is approximately 12 miles from Ketchikan International Airport. This 40 acre reserve borders Tongass, the nation's largest national forest, and features tall spruce, hemlock, cedar trees, wild flowers and a variety of berries.
The Sanctuary was formed to design and develop leisure activities and attractions by the two founders, Brien Salazar and Kris Singstad. In 2003 they acquired 10 acres of mostly undeveloped prime rainforest with an aim to preserve the verdant wildlife habitat. Now the organization offers tours to visitors to help them appreciate the wildlife as well as the rich variety of plants and flowers seen here.
The Wildlife Sanctuary & Eagle Center Tour lasts about two and three quarter hours and takes visitors to an area inhabited by bald eagles, black bear, seals, various bird species and much more. The tour offers the chance to get up close to the eagles and take photographs, interact with and feed reindeer and see a native totem pole carver at work. The chances of seeing bears and seals are good during the salmon spawning season, with many of these fish coming to Eagle Creek.
Up to 150 eagles have been counted at any one time in the sanctuary, where they too feed on the spawning salmon. Injured American Bald Eagles and a Great Horned Owl are on display at the Raptor Center courtesy of the non-profit Alaska Wildlife Foundation. The tours generally end up with a visit to the historic sawmill established in 1956 and which specialized in custom cut high grade spruce, hemlock, and cedar lumber, produced primarily for local use.
The Bear Country and Wildlife Expedition lasts for about three and a quarter hours and involves an eight mile drive along the coast with a guide providing narration. Visitors can look out for bears from the safety of elevated platforms and bridges which provide better viewing as well as protection. Only a limited number of small groups have access to this exclusive bear viewing area, before the group moves on to follow much the same trail as taken on the Eagle Center tour.
There is a general store located here for visitors to purchase various gifts and souvenirs as well as food items. Gift packs of smoked salmon as well as locally produced jams and jellies are sold here. Complimentary coffee, tea, hot chocolate and Alaska smoked salmon treats are offered here as visitors view forestry and game related exhibits.
While in the area visitors can seek further excitement by trying the Rainforest Canopy and Zipline Expeditions. Located in the middle of the 17.5 million acre Tongass National Forest participants will find the course starts with a ride in a 4x4 up the mountain before being taken over 6,000 feet of steel cable and three skybridges. There are other courses at Bear Creek, which has ziplines, tree platforms and a giant mountain slide as well as on Douglas Island, where visitors can ride on a zipline over a mine.
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