KETCHIKAN GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Road to the Bears: Ketchikan’s Only Drive-In Black Bear Viewing on the Black Bear Express
A focused, two-hour guided drive from Ketchikan to the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary that concentrates exclusively on safe, intimate black-bear viewing and low-impact wildlife observation.
Road to the Bears: Ketchikan’s Only Drive-In Black Bear Viewing on the Black Bear Express.
The Black Bear Express delivers a compact, coastal passage out of Ketchikan to the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary — the only road-accessible bear-viewing experience in Southeast Alaska. Naturalist guides lead guests onto raised boardwalks through stands of spruce, hemlock and cedar to watch black bears as they forage for spawning salmon and berries in a protected estuary environment.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A short narrated coastal drive from town to bear country
The tour begins with a narrated run through Ketchikan and a scenic coastal drive that takes you straight to the sanctuary — the only drive that reaches bear-viewing areas in Southeast Alaska.
Raised boardwalks through old-growth rainforest
Guides lead small groups along improved trails and safe, protected raised boardwalks through magnificent stands of spruce, hemlock and cedar, minimizing impact while delivering intimate views of the forest and its seasonal rhythms.
Black bears, spawning salmon and tidal estuary life
The sanctuary concentrates wildlife viewing: look for black bears fishing for salmon and searching berries, and for seals and bald eagles foraging along the Herring Creek estuary.
What the day feels like
What the two-hour excursion feels like
Over roughly two hours you move from town narration to a focused, guided visit in bear country: a short coastal drive puts you at the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary, where naturalists bring the forest and its seasonal food web to life as you walk improved trails and boardwalks for sustained, protected observation of black bears and the salmon runs that draw them.
THE ROUTE
A short narrated coastal drive from town to bear country
The tour begins with a narrated run through Ketchikan and a scenic coastal drive that takes you straight to the sanctuary — the only drive that reaches bear-viewing areas in Southeast Alaska.
THE HABITAT
Raised boardwalks through old-growth rainforest
Guides lead small groups along improved trails and safe, protected raised boardwalks through magnificent stands of spruce, hemlock and cedar, minimizing impact while delivering intimate views of the forest and its seasonal rhythms.
THE WILDLIFE
Black bears, spawning salmon and tidal estuary life
The sanctuary concentrates wildlife viewing: look for black bears fishing for salmon and searching berries, and for seals and bald eagles foraging along the Herring Creek estuary.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most from this short, focused bear-viewing excursion.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The experience lasts two hours and departs from the Ketchikan Visitors Center on Berth 2 (The Rock).
Dress in layers; ponchos are provided if needed. Bring a camera and comfortable shoes suitable for standing on boardwalks.
This tour is strictly curated for black-bear viewing on private boardwalks. Follow all guide instructions, remain quiet and respectful of the wildlife to ensure safety and continued access.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What is the difference between the Black Bear Express and the Black Bear and Wildlife Exploration?
The Black Bear Express streamlines the visit to focus exclusively on black bear viewing within the same viewing duration as the more comprehensive Black Bear & Wildlife Exploration, omitting extra time spent exploring the site’s mini-features.
Where do I meet for this tour?
Meet at the Ketchikan Visitors Center on Berth 2 (The Rock).
How long is the Black Bear Express?
The experience is two hours in duration.
What should I bring on the tour?
Bring layered clothing, a camera and comfortable shoes for standing; ponchos are provided if needed.
Are there behavior rules during the viewing?
Yes. Guests must follow the guide’s instructions, remain quiet and be respectful of wildlife; inappropriate behavior may result in being asked to leave.