KETCHIKAN ZIPLINE FIELD GUIDE
High Above the Tongass: Ziplining the Rainforest Canopy in Ketchikan
A 3.5-hour outing that rides a custom 4×4 into the Tongass, sends you across nine zip-lines through ancient canopy, and finishes with a visit to the largest Tsimshian totem park—this guide explains what to expect and how to prepare.
High Above the Tongass: Ziplining the Rainforest Canopy in Ketchikan.
An all-terrain Unimog hauls you up a steep rain‑forest hillside into the canopy, where guides outfit you and lead a progressive course of zips and platforms that put the Tongass rainforest below your feet. The route threads the treetops—short practice cables to long flights that open onto views of salmon creek, wetlands and a 55‑foot rappel—then winds down with a cultural stop at the Tsimshian totem park for a grounded note after a day in the trees.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Soaring the Tongass Canopy
Glide above ancient rainforest on a sequence of zip-lines that place you in the heart of one of the world’s most biodiverse coastal temperate rainforests—an adrenaline-rich way to see the forest from a new, vertiginous vantage.
Eyes Up: Eagles and Bears
Platforms and lines lift you into the realm of nesting eagles; from above, guides report frequent sightings of eagles and the occasional black bear below, making the route as much wildlife watch as thrill ride.
Finish at the Tsimshian Totem Park
After the canopy challenge, the itinerary concludes at the largest Tsimshian totem pole park in the U.S., with more than 17 poles carved on site—plus blacksmith demonstrations and a coffee shop for a relaxed debrief.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
From a gravel shoreline at Herring Cove, a custom 4×4 Unimog climbs a steep forest road to a canopy chalet where professionally trained guides fit you with state-of-the-art safety gear and brief you. The course eases you in—short lines first, then longer cables ranging from roughly 100 to 600 feet and platforms as high as 100 feet—culminating in a long breakout zip with views of the forest and a salmon‑spawning creek, a final flight across wetlands to a 55‑foot viewing tower, and a rappel to the forest floor.
THE LANDSCAPE
Soaring the Tongass Canopy
Glide above ancient rainforest on a sequence of zip-lines that place you in the heart of one of the world’s most biodiverse coastal temperate rainforests—an adrenaline-rich way to see the forest from a new, vertiginous vantage.
THE WILDLIFE
Eyes Up: Eagles and Bears
Platforms and lines lift you into the realm of nesting eagles; from above, guides report frequent sightings of eagles and the occasional black bear below, making the route as much wildlife watch as thrill ride.
THE CULTURE
Finish at the Tsimshian Totem Park
After the canopy challenge, the itinerary concludes at the largest Tsimshian totem pole park in the U.S., with more than 17 poles carved on site—plus blacksmith demonstrations and a coffee shop for a relaxed debrief.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this is for—and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Plan for about 3.5 hours for the full outing.
Layers are always best.
Guests meet at the Ketchikan Visitors Center on Berth 2 (The Rock).
All guests must be at least 57 inches tall and weigh between 70 and 250 pounds; operators enforce these limits for safety.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Does this tour operate if it is raining?
Yes—this tour operates rain or shine; rain jackets are available on site if needed.
Can I bring a camera with me?
Yes—cameras are permitted only if they are secured to you with a strap.
How long does the experience take?
The outing lasts approximately 3.5 hours.
Where is the meeting point?
Meet at the Ketchikan Visitors Center on Berth 2 (The Rock).
Are there height or weight restrictions?
Yes—guests must be at least 57 inches tall and weigh between 70 and 250 pounds.
Will I see wildlife on the course?
Eagles and black bears are often seen from platforms and lines, offering strong wildlife‑viewing opportunities from the canopy.