Ketchikan Hiking

Ready to discover the best hiking Ketchikan has to offer? As a local mom who’s tackled these trails with toddlers and babies, I can tell you that hiking Ketchikan is absolutely incredible—from easy lakeside walks to challenging mountain summits with jaw-dropping views. Whether you’re here on a cruise ship or planning an extended Alaska adventure, this guide to hiking Ketchikan has you covered. I’ve organized these trails from easiest to hardest, complete with directions, distances, and all the insider tips you need. Let’s go explore!

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Best Hikes in Ketchikan

Frog Pond

Trail Head : Ward Lake Rd N, Ketchikan, AK 99901

Distance & Duration: ~0.5 miles one-way (so ~1 mile round‑trip).

Frog Pond is a great short walk towards Ward Lake; it will actually connect to Ward Lake. And in the winter, Frog Pond freezes over and allows for some safer ice skating. This is a great option if your looking to lengthen your Ward Lake walk or get a quick walk outdoors.

Rainbird Trail

Trail Head: 2600 7th Ave, Ketchikan, AK 99901

Distance & Duration: ~2.1 round‑trip.

In town, Rainbird trail is located in Bear Valley, this easy-to-get-to get to trail is awesome for aerial views of Ketchikan. Beware, it leads upwards in a short amount of time. I tend to get dizzy on this particular hike since it’s so short and steep. It’s totally possible on a sunny day with a walking stick to help you stabilize if needed.

Ward Lake Trail

Trail Head: Ward Lake Rd, Ketchikan, AK 99901

Distance & Duration: ~1 mile loop

You should not come to Ketchikan if you don’t plan on stopping by Ward Lake. It’s such a quintessential spot in town that is perfect for all ages; you can either sit by the lake or walk the entire loop around the lake. If you’re lucky, a park ranger or local has stopped by one of the structures and lit a nice warm fire for you to snuggle up to.

Coast Guard Beach Trail

Trail Head: 981 North Point Higgins Rd, Ketchikan, AK 99901 (elementary school parking lot, entrance is steps before playground)

Distance & Duration: ~2 miles total (1 mile one-way), ~45 minutes one-way.

A perfect walk to a beach, this trail is great for packing a picnic and taking the entire family on a walk. We would bring a hammock with us to relax under the trees once we arrived on the beach!

Salvage Trail

Trail Head Directions: From downtown Ketchikan, head about 6 miles north on Tongass Highway toward Ward Cove. Turn right onto Revilla Road and continue for a little over a mile. When you reach the intersection, take the left turn (Ward Lake will be off to the right). Shortly after, look for a small dirt pull-off on the left side of the road. The trailhead sits directly across from it on the right.

Distance & Duration: 3.4‑mile loop

Talbot Lake Trail

Distance & Duration: 3 mile roundtrip

Trail Head Directions: Okay, this is a little tough to get to from the road, but totally possible! From Ward Lake, continue north on Ward Lake Road (you will pass a sign that says pavement ends, continuing past this sign) continue for a few miles. There will be a large, dramatic turn in the road and a pull-over area that you can pull off to at 55°27’42.8″N 131°37’39.1″W. If you get out of the car, you will see a red gate, and that will be the entrance to a trail that leads to Talbot Lake.

Another fun walk to a lake where you can forage along the path or fish in the stream or lake. This particular hike is more of a long, meandering walk and is so pretty because of the alder trees on either side, making it feel like a Disney movie.

Connell Lake Trail

Trail Head Directions: Connell Rd, Ketchikan, AK 99901Talbot Lake.

Distance & Duration: 4.1 miles

Connell Lake is a great short adventurous walk alongside Connell Lake. I typically do not go too far because it does/can connect to the Talbot Lake Trail, and I’ve never been ultra prepared for a connecting hike. But this is a super fun hike where you can forage and take in the beautiful surroundings. The entrance is a little tucked on the far end of the parking lot, but once you walk up, you will see signage where you can continue on your hike.

Whitman Lake

Trail Head Directions: 8204-11730 S Tongass Hwy, Ketchikan, AK 99901

Distance & Duration: ~2 miles

Want an easy-to-find educational hike? Take this one, it’s technically a service road to two dams that generate energy to Ketchikan, but the parking is clearly labeled, and it’s considered by yours truly to be easy to hike. You’ll be rewarded with the Whitman Lake hatchery and fun signage with more information. Fun fact: the Whitman Lake Hatchery is maintained by SSRA and releases approximately 700,000 king salmon!

Whitman Lake trailhead ketchikan kid walking

Lunch Creek Trail

Trail Head Directions: 8204-11730 S Tongass Hwy, Ketchikan, AK 99901 You’ll find the trailhead at the very end of North Tongass Highway. Not long after you start walking, you’ll hit a junction just before the trail meets Lunch Creek. Head left if you want to link up with the Lunch Falls Trail from Settlers Cove, or stay right to continue along Lunch Creek Trail.

Distance & Duration: 8.5-10 miles round-trip

Okay, so this trail can feel like it goes on forever, and my friends who have actually gone all the way say it leads to a lake. However, you need to be careful because it is not frequented often, and so the trail can be hard to follow. It also does not lead up and mountain but through a valley. You can easily take this trail instead of the Lunch Falls Trail, and vice versa, so be cautious!

Lunch Falls Trail

Trail Head Directions: 8204-11730 S Tongass Hwy, Ketchikan, AK 99901. Follow Tongass Highway all the way out north until the road almost ends, you will see signs to enter the Settler’s Cove campground BEFORE the cul-de-sac. The trailhead is located at the Settlers Cove parking area within the campground loop.

Distance & Duration: 0.7 miles round-trip

This is a perfect little hike that gives you a taste of the Alaskan coast and a waterfall without tiring you out. Be cautious, as with any and all hikes, bears are afoot. This particular hike is loved by bears trying to catch salmon from the waterfalls. Make sure to be prepared with a bear bell, bear spray, and be loud. Consider playing music while you hike.

Perseverance Trail

Trail Head Directions: From downtown Ketchikan, 6 miles north on Tongass Hwy to Ward Cove. Right on Revilla Rd. for just over 1 mile. Right on Ward Lake Road for 3/4 mile. Just after you cross the Ward Creek bridge, turn right into a parking lot across from the Three Cs’ campground. To access the trailhead, cross the road and continue down the road about 100 feet. The trail will be designated by a sign on your left.

Distance & Duration: ~2.3–2.4 miles one-way to lake.

Upper & Lower Silvis Lake

Trail Head Directions: Head all the way out south on Tongass Highway; the trail starts where the road ends. You can park and go past the fence.

Distance & Duration: 11.1 miles round-trip

This hike is an adventurous one! It’s pretty normal unless you try to take the shortcut through the tunnel, which is incredibly fun and spooky all at the same time. Once you reach Lower Silvis Lake, there are many opportunities to fish, swim, relax, and even camp. If you continue past Lower Silvis, you can find a path to the left of the lake that goes directly over a plant house and will take you over a pass and to another higher lake. This is another great camping spot; the path here is like something out of a Tolkien book.

Carlanna Lake

Trail Head Directions: From downtown Ketchikan, 2 miles north on Tongass Hwy. Right on Carlanna Lake Road until it Ts. Left on Fairview Ave. until it Ts. Right on Canyon Road, which will quickly dead-end in a small dirt parking lot on the left.

Distance & Duration: ~3 miles round‑trip (to lake/dam and back)

You start off in the parking lot, hike up to the lake, and continue up Minerva. Perfect in-town hike that has cell phone signal at the summit! I love to do this hike if I’m going alone due to the comfort of service.

Dude Mountain

Trail Head Directions: Coordinates Latitude: 55.41428 Longitude: -131.616 From downtown Ketchikan, 6 miles north on Tongass Hwy to Ward Cove. Right on Revilla Rd. for 6 miles. Right on Brown Mountain Rd. for 3 miles until dead-ends at trailhead. Approximately forty-minutes.

Distance & Duration: ~1.5 miles one-way (so ~3 miles round-trip) from trailhead to summit.

I could write an entire blog post about Dude Mountain. My number one worldwide hike, dude mountain, quickly summits up the mountain. There is a boardwalk during the middle part of the hike and many places to stop, rest, and, my favorite, find berries. You will reach a platform which is perfect for photos or camping, but do not stop there. Continue on the trail cautiously, and you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views! Make sure to pace yourself and keep an eye out for mountain goats once you’re towards the top.

Deer Mountain

Trail Head Directions: Deer Mountain Trailhead

Distance & Duration: 6.2 miles round-trip

Another in-town hike that is super easy to get to the trailhead and head on up the mountain. This is a great opportunity to listen in on crows chatting up while you meander up the mountain. The hike also gives many opportunities to see over the town, giving you perfect postcard-esque views. This is the only mountain hike that has a frame cabin you can stay the night, it is actually before the summit and is super cute!

Ready to Explore Ketchikan’s Trails?

Now you’ve got everything you need to start hiking Ketchikan! Whether you’re tackling the gentle Ward Lake loop or summiting Dude Mountain for those epic views, each trail offers something truly special.

Before you head out, pack the essentials: layers (it’s Southeast Alaska!), water, snacks, and always be bear aware—check out the safety section below. Most importantly, practice Leave No Trace so these trails stay beautiful for everyone.

Have you hiked any of these trails? Drop a comment with your favorite or any questions—I’m always happy to help!

Happy trails, and let’s Vámonos Together! 🥾🌲