🏆🏆 Ketchikan Marine — Protected bay on Long Island near Ketchikan in the Tongass National Forest
Dall Bay State Marine Park protects a sheltered bay on the west coast of Long Island near Ketchikan. The park provides a calm anchorage for boats and kayakers, surrounded by the dense temperate rainforest of the Tongass — the world’s largest intact temperate rainforest. The bay supports excellent fishing for salmon and halibut and is frequented by black bears, humpback whales, and harbor seals.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Long Island, near Ketchikan, AK |
| Access | Boat or kayak only |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Forest | Tongass temperate rainforest |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there bears?
Yes — black bears are common throughout the Tongass. Brown (grizzly) bears are also possible. Store food in bear-resistant containers and follow Alaska bear safety guidelines.
What is the Tongass National Forest?
The Tongass — surrounding Dall Bay — is the largest national forest in the US at 17 million acres. It’s the world’s largest intact temperate rainforest, receiving 100-200 inches of rain annually.
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Black Sands Beach State Marine Park (a short drive away) or Refuge Cove State Recreation Site (a short drive away).
Camping reservations: Book campsites and cabins for Alaska state parks online at alaskastateparks.reserveamerica.com.
🐻 Visit Dall Bay SMP
Tongass rainforest bay — sheltered anchorage near Ketchikan with bears, whales, and salmon.
About Dall Bay
Dall Bay State Marine Park on Gravina Island near Ketchikan protects a sheltered bay in the heart of Southeast Alaska’s temperate rainforest. The bay provides anchorage and camping in the Tongass National Forest — the largest national forest in the United States. The surrounding old-growth Sitka spruce forest receives over 150 inches of rain annually.
Things to Do
Anchorage for boaters, camping in the temperate rainforest, fishing for salmon and halibut, wildlife viewing (black bears, bald eagles, whales), kayaking, and beachcombing. Access by boat from Ketchikan.
Insider Tips
Ketchikan wilderness: Dall Bay on Gravina Island is accessible by boat from Ketchikan — Alaska’s “First City” (first port of call on the Inside Passage cruise route). Pro tip: The bay supports healthy populations of Sitka blacktail deer and black bears. Salmon streams: Multiple streams enter the bay — pink and chum salmon runs July-September attract bears and eagles.
Best Time to Visit
July-September: Salmon runs attract bears and eagles. Summer: Best weather for boating access. Spring: Herring spawns turn the water milky white. Fall: Fewer visitors, mushroom season in the rainforest.
Park Location
Top Tours & Activities Near Ketchikan
from $149
from $600
from $215