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Misty Fiords National Monument is located at the southern end of the Tongass National Forest and is best accessed about 22 miles east of Ketchikan. It encompasses 2.3 million acres, making it the largest wilderness in Alaska's national forests and the second largest in the nation.

Taking its name from the almost constant precipitation characteristic of the area, Misty Fiords is covered with thick forests that grow on nearly vertical slopes from sea level to mountaintops. Dramatic waterfalls plunge into the salt water through narrow clefts or course over great rounded granite shoulders fed by lakes and streams that absorb the annual rainfall of more than 14 feet. The major waterway cutting through the monument, Behm Canal, is more than 100 miles long and extraordinary among natural canals for its length and depth.

Forested areas consist of Sitka spruce, western hemlock and cedar. Some Pacific silver fir, sub alpine fir and black cottonwood are found. Beneath these trees grow huckleberry, alder, willow and other brush creating impenetrable thickets.

Few areas of the U.S. contain as many unusual wildlife species including mountain goat, brown bear, black bear, moose, marten, wolf, wolverine, river otter, sea lion, harbor seal, killer whale and Dall porpoise. Birds range from hummingbirds to trumpeter swans to herons to bald eagles. All five Pacific salmon are present. This monument offers magnificent scenery with countless inlets, bays, arms and coves. The highlands are dotted with thousands of lakes and innumerable streams.

A sheltered circle route out of Ketchikan makes this national monument popular with kayakers. Paddling is easy to moderate although camping can be difficult with tides of up to 18 feet in places. There are 14 public cabins in the area. Cabins are on a reservation basis through the Forest Service. Forest Service wilderness rangers patrol Misty Fiords by kayak. Two rangers are stationed in the Rudyerd Bay area. A sea kayaking brochure, with paddling and camping information is available from the Forest Service. Kayak rentals, guided kayak excursions and drop-off and pickup service for kayakers are available in Ketchikan.

For the less adventuresome, a day cruise or flightseeing tour out of Ketchikan is popular. Some large cruise ships include the deep waters of Behm Canal and Rudyerd Bay in their itineraries.

For more information contact:

Southeast Alaska Discovery Center
50 Main Street
Ketchikan, AK 99901
907-228-6220

or

Misty Fiords National Monument
3031 Tongass Avenue
Ketchikan, AK 99901
907-225-2148