3 Hour Rainforest Walk & Totem Park Wild Wolf Tours

Ketchikan’s best short excursion may be the one that puts two very different parts of Southeast Alaska side by side: a wet, moss-covered rainforest trail and a quiet hour spent learning why totem poles matter. Potlatch Totem Park gives the outing its cultural heart, while the forest supplies waterfalls, old-growth trees, and the chance to spot small coastal wildlife.

I like the easy cruise-port pickup and the small groups, capped at 11 people. Guides such as Kevin, Zack, Austin, and Jamie have earned praise for making the walk lively without turning it into a lecture, and several families found the outing easy to enjoy. The main catch is the trail: stairs, hills, and about 1.5 miles of walking make this a poor fit if you have trouble on uneven ground.

Key points to know before you book

• Two very different stops: Spend about an hour at Potlatch Totem Park, then walk through the old-growth forest at Settlers Cove State Recreational Site.
• Small groups matter: The tour takes no more than 11 people, and some departures have been nearly private.
• The trail is pretty but not flat: Expect gravel, stairs, and uphill and downhill sections.
• Local guides shape the experience: Kevin, Zack, Austin, Jamie, Jeff, Tucker, and others bring different styles, from playful family guiding to detailed nature talks.
• Rain is part of the setting: The tour runs in all weather, with ponchos or umbrellas available, but waterproof shoes and a rain jacket are wise.
• Good cruise-port planning: Pickup is offered at Ketchikan’s cruise berths or Ward Cove, with return to the ship dock included.

A forest walk with a waterfall at the center

The nature portion takes place at Settlers Cove State Recreational Site, with the route sometimes described as part of the Tongass National Forest area. You walk among old-growth trees, moss-covered ground, running water, and a cascading creek. A waterfall viewing area gives the walk a clear payoff, rather than leaving you to wonder when the scenery will change.

The setting is classic Southeast Alaska: wet, green, and shaped by water. Guides point out forest plants and explain how local Indigenous communities used the area’s natural resources. That added context turns a pretty walk into something more useful. You are not just looking at trees. You are learning how people lived with this place.

The trail can also lead toward a beach or waterfront area, depending on the route and conditions. One outing included time to look at tide-pool life, and another included a seal swimming nearby. These sightings are never promised, but they show why a guide can make a difference. You might notice the large trees and rushing water on your own. A local guide may also draw your attention to small plants, shoreline life, or the way the forest changes near the coast.

Several people found the hike easy enough for a casual outing, including families with children. Still, do not confuse easy enough for many people with flat or effortless. The route has gravel, several sets of stairs, and uphill and downhill sections. One account described going down many steps toward a lake, with benches along the way. You should be comfortable walking about 1.5 miles on an uneven trail.

If stairs are a deal breaker, Wild Wolf Tours offers a separate two-hour rainforest and totem park trip on an easier route without stairs or steep inclines. That is the better choice for anyone who wants forest scenery but does not want to test their knees.

Why the wet weather can improve the walk

Ketchikan is famous for rain, and this tour operates in all weather conditions. That is not a minor note. A rainy day can make the moss look brighter, fill the creek, and give the forest the cool, damp character you came to Southeast Alaska to see.

Bring a waterproof jacket and shoes with good grip. An umbrella can help in town, but it may be awkward on a wooded trail. Ponchos and umbrellas are available, yet your own rain gear will usually be more comfortable. A small towel or spare layer is also sensible, though those items are not supplied as part of the tour.

The weather may affect the route. Wild Wolf Tours reserves the right to change trails or the totem park based on conditions. That flexibility is useful in a place where rain can change trail conditions quickly, but it means you should not treat every departure as an exact copy of the advertised route.

Potlatch Totem Park explains what the carvings mean

Potlatch Totem Park is more than a stop for photographs. Your guide walks you among carved poles and explains stories connected with the art, then takes you into a Clan House to discuss Native culture. The focus includes the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples.

That cultural explanation is the reason to spend time here instead of simply admiring the poles from a distance. Totem poles can be easy to misread as decoration. A good guide helps you understand that the figures, symbols, and stories carry meaning tied to family, identity, history, and community.

The best guide accounts describe time being given to the stories rather than a quick lap around the grounds. Jeff, for example, was praised for explaining the poles from the moment the group arrived and allowing time to take in the details. Kevin was noted for explaining legends connected with some of the artwork. Jamie brought a long connection with the area and made the history feel personal rather than memorized.

The tone can vary by guide. Some are funny and energetic, which works well with children. Others take a quieter, more detailed approach. That is one reason the guide matters so much on this outing. The forest is beautiful without commentary, but the totem park becomes far more meaningful when someone explains what you are seeing.

There is also a gift shop and restroom stop at the park on at least some routes. That is useful because the forest portion does not promise regular restroom access. One unhappy account specifically complained about not being offered a restroom break before the drive, while another described the park as a convenient place to use one. My practical advice is simple: use the facilities before leaving the cruise port and ask your guide about the next stop early in the outing.

Guides make the difference

Wild Wolf Tours uses local guides, and the strongest part of the experience is often the person in the van and on the trail. Kevin appears frequently in the supplied feedback, with praise for his forest knowledge, patience with larger groups, sense of humor, and ability to keep children involved. Zack is described as lively and engaging, including with a young child who became interested in guiding as a future job. Austin is described as relaxed and well informed, with a comfortable pace on the trail.

Jamie was praised for her understanding of local history and for making the afternoon feel connected to the area. Jeff was noted for providing information throughout the outing, while another account appreciated a guide with a scientific background. Tucker received both positive and negative comments, which is a useful reminder that guiding styles can vary and that no tour is completely uniform.

The pattern is clear: when the guide is engaged, the trip gains much more than facts. You get local observations, stories, and help noticing details you would likely miss. When the guide is less communicative, the walk can feel like a simple forest stroll followed by a basic totem park visit. If you care deeply about ecology or Native culture, ask questions and let the guide know what interests you.

The small-group format helps. With a maximum of 11 people, the guide can usually answer questions and adjust the walking pace more easily than on a large coach tour. Some departures have had only two people, creating an almost private outing. Others have included families and larger groups. The atmosphere should be personal, but the exact feel depends on the size and mix of your departure.

The snack is small, but the timing is useful

Bottled water and a Hardy Cookie are included. Several people singled out the cookie as a surprisingly enjoyable part of the outing, while two accounts noted that the expected snack was not provided. Treat that inconsistency as a practical warning: the cookie is a pleasant extra, not a reason to skip breakfast or lunch.

The snack usually comes after the forest walk or around the totem park portion. That timing makes sense. A little water and something sweet are welcome after the trail, especially if rain and hills have made the walk more tiring than expected.

You should still bring any food you need for medical or dietary reasons. The supplied information does not describe dietary options, so do not assume the cookie will suit every diet.

Pickup is simple, but read the meeting instructions closely

If your ship docks at berths 1, 2, 3, or 4, pickup is at berth 2 near the statue called The Rock by the Ketchikan Visitors Center. If your ship uses Ward Cove, meet at the Welcoming Center beside the restrooms and look for a green Wild Wolf Tours sign.

This detail matters because Ketchikan may have more than one cruise arrival point, and the pickup location changes with your ship. You must provide the specific ship name when booking, not just the cruise line. The operator then supplies the tour time after the booking is submitted.

Allow a little patience around departure. The vehicle may collect people from different cruise ports, so the exact pickup flow may not feel as immediate as a tour serving only one ship. The operator provides a contact number and has been described as responsive to questions. Keep your phone available, and confirm the meeting point if your ship is assigned to a different berth than expected.

The tour includes return to the cruise ship dock. That is a major value for a port day because you do not have to arrange a taxi to a remote forest trail or calculate a separate return trip. Your guide also knows the ship schedule and the need to get you back with time to spare, though you should still arrive at the stated meeting point promptly.

Is $125 a fair price?

At $125 per person, this is not the cheapest way to walk in a forest near Ketchikan. You are paying for transportation, a local guide, admission to the two included sites, bottled water, a snack, and the convenience of pickup and return from the cruise dock.

The value improves if you want both nature and culture in one outing. A self-guided visit to a trail would not give you the same explanation of local plants, Indigenous resource use, or totem stories. You would also need to arrange transportation, and cruise passengers have limited time in port. For a small group, the price can make sense because you are buying a more personal format rather than a large bus tour.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a long, challenging hike. Only about an hour is assigned to the forest stop, and the full three-hour outing includes driving and the totem park. Likewise, if you want guaranteed wildlife, this is not the right purchase. A seal, whale, bear, or tide-pool life may appear, but wildlife is incidental, not promised.

The experience has a strong record overall, with a 4.8 rating from 265 ratings and 96 percent recommendation. A few lower ratings point to the same risks: an outing that felt shorter than expected, a guide who did not provide enough information, or a missing cookie. Those complaints are worth taking seriously, but they appear less often than the praise for the forest, totem park, local guides, and family-friendly approach.

Who will enjoy this Ketchikan excursion?

I would choose this for a first visit to Ketchikan, especially if you want a compact introduction to the area rather than a single-purpose hike. It gives you trees, water, Indigenous culture, and a guide who can connect them.

Families are a good match. Children can look for interesting plants, watch the creek, explore the shoreline, and ask questions about the carved figures. The guides have been praised for keeping young people interested without burying them in facts. Child and booster seats are available if requested ahead of time.

Couples and solo visitors can also benefit from the small groups. A later departure with only two people can feel very personal, and the relaxed pace leaves room for photographs and questions. Nature lovers may wish the forest segment were longer, but the combination with the totem park gives the day more variety.

I would be cautious if you have limited mobility, dislike wet weather, or need guaranteed restroom access during the forest portion. Choose the two-hour no-stairs option if hills and steps are a concern. Also think about your port schedule. The operator works with different ship arrivals, so do not book a departure that leaves you with a tight return window.

FAQ

How long is the Rainforest Walk and Totem Park tour?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

Where does pickup take place in Ketchikan?

For ships docking at berths 1, 2, 3, or 4, pickup is at berth 2 near The Rock statue by the Ketchikan Visitors Center. For ships docking at Ward Cove, meet at the Welcoming Center near the restrooms and look for the green Wild Wolf Tours sign.

Is transportation from the cruise port included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at the cruise ship dock are included.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 11 people.

How difficult is the rainforest walk?

You should have a moderate fitness level and be able to walk about 1.5 miles on a gravel trail. The route includes several stairs and uphill and downhill sections.

Is there an easier version without stairs?

Yes. Wild Wolf Tours offers a separate two-hour rainforest and totem park tour on an easier trail without stairs or steep inclines.

Does the tour operate in the rain?

Yes. It operates in all weather conditions. Rain ponchos or umbrellas are available, but you should dress for wet weather.

What is included besides the walk and totem park visit?

The tour includes a professional local guide, bottled water, and a Hardy Cookie snack. Admission to both stops is included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a well-rounded Ketchikan outing with a forest walk, waterfall, totem poles, local stories, and cruise-port transportation. Its best qualities are the small group size, the strong guides, and the mix of natural and cultural stops.

Skip it in favor of the easier two-hour option if stairs are a problem. If your main goal is a serious hike or guaranteed wildlife, choose something more focused. For everyone else, $125 buys a convenient and thoughtful introduction to Ketchikan, provided you arrive ready for rain, uneven ground, and a guide-led experience whose quality depends on the person leading your group.