KETCHIKAN BACKCOUNTRY ADVENTURE:

SUV TOURS IN THE TONGASS

A DEEPER DRIVE INTO ALASKA’S WILD RAINFOREST

Scenic 4x4 Shore Excursion in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest

  • Cruise-ship friendly departures + returns

  • Small groups

  • Return-to-Ship Guarantee

**This is more than a drive—**it’s a guided immersion into the backcountry soul of Alaska: winding dirt roads, hidden valleys, and sweeping Tongass views—without the strain of a hike.

Best for travelers who want: real Tongass scenery, calm pacing, meaningful stops for photos and fresh air, and a guide who adds depth (ecology + conservation + local history) rather than a scripted spiel.

Read Reviews
Book Online

At a Glance

  • Ports: Ketchikan, Alaska & Ward Cove, Alaska

  • Duration: 2.25 hours

  • Distance: 32 miles roundtrip

  • Group Size: Maximum 6 guests

  • Activity Level: Easy

  • Rates: $199.50 per Adult, $179.50 per Child, $895.00 per Private Tour

Note: This is a rural hike with no facilities along the trail. Leave-no-trace and tobacco-free and drug-free policies apply.

A deeper drive into Alaska’s wild rainforest

Most visitors never get past Ketchikan’s edges. On this tour, you leave the pavement behind and travel deeper into the Tongass on winding dirt roads—slow enough to notice what makes this place rare.

As our 4x4 climbs through switchbacks and rainforest canopy, we’ll pull over at scenic points to step out, breathe, and take in the views. Even in mist or rain, the forest feels alive—fog moving through cedar, water glinting across moss, ravens overhead.

This isn’t a thrill ride. It’s an unhurried, small-group backcountry experience designed for connection—with the land, with your guide, and with the quiet that most people don’t get time to feel.

What you’ll experience

  • A scenic climb from Ketchikan into the Tongass backcountry

  • Dirt roads, switchbacks, and “locals-only” views that most tours miss

  • Multiple pull-offs to step out for photos, fresh air, and perspective

  • Guide context on rainforest ecology, logging history, and conservation.

Who this is for (and who it’s not)

Perfect for you if…

  • You want a Tongass experience without a strenuous hike

  • You like small groups, real conversation, and unrushed pacing

  • You want scenic stops for photos and “feel the place” moments

Not ideal if…

  • You’re looking for speed, adrenaline, or a “jeep thrill” vibe

  • You want a long, continuous walk (this is primarily a driving tour with short stops)

Your guide

You’ll be led by an Alaska-based guide, Teague, who is the owner of Tongass Teague. He knows these backroads, reads the weather, and keeps the pace calm and comfortable—so you can relax into the scenery instead of worrying about logistics.

Teague’s a local, trail-seasoned naturalist at heart—equal parts calm leader, storyteller, and attentive host. Expect an unrushed pace, a sharp eye for the “small miracles” of the rainforest, and the kind of steady guidance that helps you relax and let the Tongass work on you a little.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • This is one of our easiest options: you’ll spend most of the tour seated in the SUV, with a few scenic stops to step out and stretch. Guests should be comfortable stepping into a 4x4 SUV and standing briefly at viewpoints. Storage space is very limited, so If you need us to store a walker or a wheelchair, then please book a private tour, so we can better accommodate you.

  • If you want the forest under your boots, choose one of our hikes. If you want a deep Tongass experience with minimal physical strain, this SUV tour is the right call—especially for mixed-ability groups or anyone wanting a more relaxed outing.

  • Yes—this is a rainforest, and rain often makes the Tongass even more atmospheric. Expect mist, moody valleys, and that deep green glow you don’t get on a blue-sky day.

  • Seeing wildlife is not guaranteed. Occasionally, we do see deer and bear.