The Tongass National Forest in southeast Alaska remains the largest national forest in the United States, spanning approximately 17 million acres. Covering nearly 80% of Alaska’s southeastern panhandle, it is also recognised as the world’s largest intact temperate rainforest, making it one of the planet’s most important natural carbon sinks and biodiversity hotspots.
Stretching across the Alexander Archipelago and the coastal mainland, the Tongass features dense old growth forests, wetlands, glaciers, fjords and more than 1,100 islands. The region contains over 11,000 miles of shoreline and nearly 17,000 miles of rivers, streams and lakes, creating one of North America’s richest ecosystems.
The forest’s old-growth Sitka spruce, western hemlock and Alaska yellow cedar trees, some more than 800 years old, store massive amounts of carbon. According to conservation estimates, the Tongass holds around 20% of all carbon stored within the US National Forest System, underscoring its critical role in climate regulation.
The Tongass also supports an extraordinary diversity of wildlife. Annual salmon runs sustain brown bears, wolves, bald eagles and other species by supplying nutrients that enrich both forest and freshwater ecosystems. Admiralty Island, located within the forest, is home to one of the highest densities of brown bears in North America, while the region also hosts thousands of nesting bald eagles and marine species including humpback whales, Steller sea lions, fin whales and sperm whales.
Much of the landscape remains largely undisturbed. Around 93% of the forest’s approximately 900 watersheds are considered to be in near natural condition. Visitors can explore more than 700 miles of hiking trails, 19 designated wilderness areas and over 140 public recreation cabins, many of which are accessible only by boat or seaplane. Attractions such as Misty Fjords National Monument and El Capitan Cave further showcase the region’s unique geological and ecological features.
The Tongass is also the traditional homeland of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian peoples. Small communities within the forest continue to depend on boats, ferries and floatplanes for transportation, reflecting the region’s remote character and close connection with nature.
As climate change and habitat conservation remain global priorities, the Tongass National Forest continues to stand out as one of the world’s most significant natural landscapes, providing vital carbon storage, safeguarding wildlife habitats and preserving one of Earth’s last great temperate rainforests.