Ketchikan: Tongass Forest Alaska Bigfoot ATV Ride and Hike

Bigfoot stories make the rainforest even more fun. This 2.5-hour outing combines a short shared ATV ride with an easy guided walk through mossy Tongass National Forest, plus local plants, wildlife facts, coffee, cookies, and a full-size moving sasquatch replica. I especially like the small group limit of eight and the guides’ clear affection for Ketchikan’s forests. Lexis, Marcus, Captain Rob, and other staff have been praised for making the tour both entertaining and genuinely informative.

The main thing to understand is that this is a forest hike with an ATV transfer, not a long ATV driving adventure. One participant expected about 1.5 hours on an ATV and found the ride closer to 10 minutes. If you want engine noise and speed, that may disappoint. If you want an easy way into the rainforest, Bigfoot lore and local ecology make this a good-value shore excursion for $149.

Key points to know before you book

• The ATV ride is short: Shared UTVs carry you from the base area toward the trailhead, but the walking portion is the heart of the outing.
• The forest walk is easy but real: You use groomed gravel trails, bridges, stairs, and a professional-grade path.
• The small group matters: With no more than eight participants, it is easier to hear the guide and ask questions.
• Bigfoot is part legend, part good theater: You may hear local stories and see a motion-active full-size replica, but the sasquatch sightings are presented as entertainment.
• Local nature gets equal billing: Guides discuss plants, animals, edible species, medicinal uses, and Indigenous and local traditions.
• The coffee stop is a smart touch: Hot chocolate or coffee and a gourmet cookie give you a warm pause in Ketchikan’s wet, cool forest.

From the cruise docks to Ward Cove

Your outing begins at the Ketchikan cruise ship docks. You wait in front of the Ketchikan Tours and Attractions office, then ride in an air-conditioned van toward the ATV site near Ward Cove. That pickup arrangement is worth noting because cruise port stops can be confusing, especially when several operators use similar meeting areas.

The van ride includes a short tour of Ketchikan. This gives you a quick introduction to the town before the forest portion begins. It also makes practical sense for a port day: you do not need to arrange a taxi, rent a vehicle, or figure out how to reach the trailhead.

The ride from town is part of the experience, but it is not a full sightseeing tour of Ketchikan. Think of it as a useful orientation and transfer. The real focus comes after you leave the paved town area.

The air-conditioned van is a welcome feature in two kinds of weather. On a rainy day, you can warm up and dry out a little between sections. On a rare sunny day, it keeps the ride comfortable before you head into the forest.

The shared UTV ride is brief, so set expectations early

At the ATV site, you switch to shared UTVs for the ride toward the forest base camp and trailhead. The route uses well-groomed gravel trails, bridges, and access paths. You may have the chance to drive, depending on the group setup and the guide’s instructions, but this is not an extended off-road driving session.

That distinction is the most important planning point. One person described the ATV portion as only about 10 minutes and had expected much longer. Other participants still found it fun, but the ride works best as an exciting way to reach the walking route rather than the main attraction.

I would book this for the forest, guide, and stories first. Treat the UTV as a bonus. If you are choosing between this and a dedicated ATV tour, pick the dedicated ATV option if driving time is your priority.

The short ride does have advantages. You do not spend most of the morning bouncing over rough trails, and you have more time for the plants, animals, Bigfoot tales, and forest scenery. The route also appears designed for access rather than hard riding, which suits people looking for a gentler outdoor activity.

The Tongass walk is the real heart of the tour

Once you reach the base camp, you begin a guided walk through moss-covered rainforest. The route includes gravel trails, bridges, and stairs. You need to walk comfortably on a professional-grade trail, but the outing is described as easy by several participants.

That makes this a useful choice for people who want to see the Tongass without signing up for a strenuous hike. It is still a walk in wet forest conditions, so hiking shoes and weather-ready clothing matter. The trail may be easy, but muddy or damp conditions can make any outdoor route feel more demanding.

The moss is one of the visual highlights. It softens the forest floor, coats fallen wood, and gives the route a distinctly Southeast Alaska feel. This is not a polished city park walk. The trails and information kiosks help you move through the woods safely, while the surrounding setting still feels wild and atmospheric.

The route includes stops at educational kiosks that identify plants and animal species. These signs are useful because the Tongass can look like a wall of green at first glance. With a guide and clear labels, you begin to notice individual trees, ground plants, and signs of the forest’s living systems.

Local plants and animals add substance to the Bigfoot theme

The sasquatch story is the hook, but the nature talk gives the tour lasting value. Guides have discussed plants used for jams, jellies, tea, and medicinal purposes, along with local fauna and Indigenous and local uses of the forest.

Lexis has been praised for sharing information from her experience growing up in Alaska. Marcus has also been singled out for his understanding of plants and animals. The exact guide on your departure can vary, but the company’s staff appear to treat the environmental side as more than filler between Bigfoot jokes.

That balance is important. You do not need to believe in sasquatch to enjoy the outing. The forest itself is the main attraction, and the Bigfoot theme gives the guide a way to talk about local stories, remote places, and the way people interpret the woods around them.

I like this format for families and mixed-interest groups. One person can focus on botany, another on photography, and someone else can wait for a hairy creature to appear between the trees. Nobody has to take the legend seriously for it to work as part of the fun.

Bigfoot sightings are playful, not a guarantee

The tour takes place in what the company calls Bigfoot stomping grounds. Your guide shares stories about local sasquatch encounters, and the trail includes a full-size, motion-active replica. You can photograph the replica if you do not spot the real thing.

That detail tells you how to approach the experience. The Bigfoot element is a mix of regional legend, storytelling, and staged surprises. It is not a wildlife safari with a realistic chance of seeing an undiscovered animal. The fun comes from the suspense and from watching other people scan the trees.

Some participants have enjoyed glimpses of Bigfoot moving through the woods and have taken photographs. Those moments are part of the tour’s theatrical setup, so bring a camera if you like playful photo opportunities. Just do not book this expecting scientific proof or an unscripted animal encounter.

For children old enough to walk the trail, the replica and stories can give the hike a clear purpose. For adults, the best part may be the way the legend opens a conversation about local storytelling and the forest itself.

Coffee, hot chocolate, and a cookie by the creek

The scheduled break near a creek is a small feature, but it improves the whole outing. You stop under a tent or near the forest route for hot chocolate or coffee and a gourmet cookie while the guide tells a Bigfoot story.

Ketchikan weather can be cool and wet, even in summer. A hot drink is not just a polite extra. It gives you a chance to warm your hands, pause before the next section, and take in the sound and feel of the forest without rushing.

The cookie has received plenty of attention, and that is no surprise. A good snack can make a short excursion feel cared for, especially after a walk over bridges and stairs. This is also a useful pause for families, since children often appreciate the snack as much as the legend.

The break is not a full meal. Eat before you go if you need more than a drink and cookie. The tour provides refreshments, not lunch.

Guide quality shapes the experience

With a group limit of eight, the guide has room to adjust the pace and answer questions. That is a major advantage over a large bus excursion, where a short stop can feel like a scripted announcement.

Lexis has been praised for combining humor, local knowledge, and a warm manner. Marcus has been described as especially strong on plant and animal information. Captain Rob has also been part of well-regarded departures. Guide assignments can change, but the repeated praise for several staff members suggests that the human side is a central strength.

A good guide matters here because much of the experience is interpretive. The moss, trees, bridges, and trail are pleasant on their own, but the stories explain what you are seeing. The guide connects the forest to local life, Indigenous and regional plant use, Ketchikan history, and sasquatch tales.

This is also why the small group can feel almost private. Some departures have had only one booking party. You should not count on a private tour, but the limited capacity gives you a better chance of personal attention.

Who will get the most from this excursion

I would recommend this tour to you if you want:

• A gentle forest outing during a Ketchikan port call
• A short, easy hike rather than a demanding trek
• A small group and a live English-speaking guide
• Local plant and animal information mixed with folklore
• A family-friendly activity with a playful theme
• A taste of ATV or UTV riding without committing to a long driving tour

It also suits people who are curious about the Tongass but are not serious hikers. You get forest access, transportation, a guide, and a warm refreshment stop in one compact experience.

You should think twice if you want a long ATV ride, a strenuous backcountry hike, or a quiet nature walk without staged attractions. The Bigfoot replica and surprise sightings are part of the product. Some adults will find that charming. Others may find it too theatrical.

The tour is not suitable for children under six, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments. You should be comfortable walking on the trail and handling stairs. Wear hiking shoes, warm layers, and clothing suited to the weather. High heels, large bags, luggage, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed.

Is $149 a fair price?

At $149 per person, this is not a bargain-priced walk, but the cost covers several moving parts. You receive cruise port pickup and return, an air-conditioned van, a Ketchikan town drive, shared UTV transport, a guided forest hike, refreshments, and a small group setting.

The value depends on what you want from your port day. If you mainly want a long ATV ride, you may feel that the price is high for the short driving section. If you value a guided Tongass experience with transport and interpretation, the package makes more sense.

The small group is the strongest value point. A guide can speak directly to you, point out details along the trail, and tell stories without competing with a crowd. Private departures are possible when few people book, but they are not guaranteed.

The 2.5-hour duration also fits a cruise schedule well. It leaves room for other Ketchikan plans, though you should still follow the operator’s pickup and return instructions closely. The included van transfer reduces the chance of wasting port time on local transport.

My final take: book it for the forest, not the throttle

I would book the Tongass Forest Bigfoot ATV Ride and Hike if you want an easy, well-organized introduction to Ketchikan’s rainforest. The strongest parts are the mossy trail, the local plant and animal information, the small group, and guides such as Lexis and Marcus who bring warmth to the stories.

I would not choose it as my first option if the main goal is extended ATV driving. The UTV section is short, and that needs to be clear before you pay. But for a gentle outdoor excursion with a little mystery, a hot drink, a cookie, and a guide who can make the forest come alive, the $149 price is reasonable.

Book it if your group includes both nature lovers and Bigfoot fans. The forest supplies the substance, and the sasquatch supplies the grin.

FAQ

Where does pickup take place in Ketchikan?

Pickup is at the Ketchikan Cruise Ship Docks. You should wait in front of the Ketchikan Tours and Attractions office.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts 2.5 hours, including transportation, the shared UTV ride, the forest walk, the refreshment stop, and the return to port.

Is the ATV ride long?

No. The shared UTV ride is a short transfer to the forest base camp and trailhead. One participant described the riding portion as about 10 minutes, so you should not expect a long ATV driving session.

What is included in the price?

The price includes cruise port pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned van, a short Ketchikan tour during the transfer, shared UTV transportation, the guided Bigfoot and nature hike, an English-speaking guide, hot chocolate or coffee, and a gourmet cookie.

Is the hike difficult?

The walk uses a professional-grade trail with groomed gravel paths, bridges, and stairs. You must be able to walk easily, and hiking shoes are recommended.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children under six are not permitted. The experience may suit older children who can walk the trail, but every participant must be able to manage the route.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, hiking shoes, and clothing suited to the weather. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.