The Inside Passage is a natural channel that crosses the set of islands, fjords and inlets along the southeast coast of Alaska. However, the term is usually extended to also include all of the land, both mainland coast and islands, surrounding this maritime passage. In this article, when speaking of Inside Passage, I will therefore refer in general terms to the entire Alaskan region of the southeast, that lies between the Pacific Ocean and the Canadian state of British Columbia.
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How to get there
There are several ways to get to the Southeast region and the various points of interest that the Inside Passage has to offer a visitor. It all depends on which towns or natural attractions you intend to include in your itinerary. However, let’s start with a premise: roads are scarce, so the car is the least used form of transport and definitely not recommended for a trip to this region. The only city that I suggest you reach by car, if you are planning an itinerary starting from Canada, is Skagway. For all other destinations, plane and ship are the two alternatives to choose from.
- Airplane: this is the fastest way to get between the different towns in the region. If you’re traveling by air, the most convenient flights in terms of schedule and price are likely to be to the capital city of Juneau, which is well connected to the rest of Alaska and other airports in the U.S. and Canada. From Juneau, short-haul flights to other airports in the Southeast are frequent and fast.
- Ship: This is the preferred means to visit this region. It’s true: by plane is much faster, but sailing these waters allows you to admire what many describe as the most striking coastal landscapes in North America. Millions of tourists every year choose this means of transport, traveling mainly on board large cruise ships, but there is the possibility of organizing an autonomous sea trip, taking advantage of the extensive lines of the Alaska Marine Highway System. Moreover, if you start out from Washington State or British Columbia, Washington State Ferries and British Columbia Ferry are two other ferry companies that travel to some ports of the Inside Passage.
Considering the sometimes considerable distances between one port and another, my advice is to integrate sea transport with air transport. Traveling by sea for the shorter distances (and to get to destinations that don’t have an airport) and by air for the longer distances help you organize a trip that is both comfortable and impressive.
Otherwise, you can always consider opting for some of the cruises. You can choose the best ones by clicking on the link below.
Search for a cruise in the Inside Passage
What to see in the Inside Passage
We are talking about one of the most beautiful regions of the state, where sea and mountains merge using fjords and glaciers as their glue. Only 70,000 people live here, but the small seaside towns in which they reside are among the most popular with visitors in all of Alaska.
The Tongass National Forest dominates this wild kingdom: the largest national forest in the United States, covering nearly 80% of the region. A rain forest where hundreds of animal species still live unaware of the presence of humans.
Inside Passage Cities
Although the population of the Alaskan Southeast is rather small, it is spread over various small villages, each of which is worthy of interest. Let’s discover them by following the Inside Passage route from south to north, the direction you will follow if you embark, as is more likely, in Seattle or Vancouver.
Ketchikan
It is one of the most visited destinations, not just because it is easy to reach (besides being the first stop for ferries, it also has one of the main airports in the region). Ketchikan is the salmon capital of the world and the starting point for visiting the spectacular Misty Fiords. You can find out more about it on the page dedicated to what to see in Ketchikan.
Wrangell
Compared to other settlements that have become a magnet for tourists today, Wrangell has preserved more of the traditional life of the locals. It also has a characteristic that differentiates it from all other Alaskan cities: it is the only one to have been governed by 4 sovereign powers, namely Tlingit, Russian, British and American. The local history can be investigated in the Wrangell Museum, but if you are especially interested in the native traditions, you can walk (via a footbridge) to Chief Shakes Island, where totems and tranquility reign.
The petroglyphs found on the island’s beaches, which are about 8,000 years old, are even older than the Tlingit artifacts. The origins of the rock carvings are unclear, but you can see them at the Petroglyph Beach State Historic Site. Hiking enthusiasts won’t be disappointed with the town’s surroundings – Wrangell Island is almost totally surrounded by rain forest and has plenty of trails. I suggest the Rainbow Falls Trail, suitable for everyone, which leads to the 100 feet high Rainbow Falls.
Fishing and large mammal enthusiasts will also find satisfaction in Wrangell: Anan Creek is the richest salmon stream in the entire southeast and because of this it attracts many brown bears, baribals and other animals. Bears can be observed in safety at the Anan Wildlife Observatory. The LeConte Glacier and the Stikine River are among the main attractions for tourists seeking natural beauty.
Petersburg
Given Alaska’s Russian past, one could easily presume that Petersburg (easily associated with the famous St. Petersburg), also bears this heritage. Instead, it was founded by a Norwegian immigrant, Peter Buschmann, who built some buildings here, attracting more and more Scandinavian immigrants during the nineteenth century, until the town received the nickname of Little Norway . Even today, every year, on the third weekend of May, the Little Norway Festival is organized, where you can dress up as Vikings and eat fish while drinking from horns.
Fishing is the town’s main activity and it is one of the best places to eat fresh fish at a reasonable price. One of the main points of interest is the Sons of Norway Hall, a complex built on stilts on the Hammer Slough marsh, where each house is decorated with rosemaling (the floral decoration that became famous in Norway in the eighteenth century). Don’t miss the Clausen Memorial Museum: among the native Tlingit artifacts, there is also a huge stuffed salmon, so large it is scary (126.5 lb), and considered to be one of the largest ever caught in the world.
The natural feature of Mitkof Island, where the town is located, is the mossy marshes, home to many species of waterfowl. The Blind Slough Swan Observatory is the ideal place to observe the striking migratory trumpet swans (in summer and autumn).
Sitka
The first capital of Alaska, when the state was still under Russian rule, keeps its traditions alive and for this reason it is one of the most unusual places to visit in an American state. Read more in our article dedicated to what to see in Sitka.
Juneau
The Alaskan capital is an essential stop on a trip along the Inside Passage. Not only because of the city’s central role, but also and above all because, being at the center of the coastal archipelago, it is the ideal starting point for many excursions. In our dedicated article you can read about whato to see in Juneau and which tours are available in the surrounding area.
Haines
Haines is one of the least visited cities of the Inside Passage and this makes it more authentic than other places that are becoming prey to mass tourism. At the same time, it is one of the few towns within driving distance of Canada and the rest of Alaska. This is where you should go if you want to taste the authentic Alaska of the old days.
Start your visit at the Sheldon Museum and Cultural Center, a collection of 3,000 items ranging from indigenous artifacts to Chinese trunks. It was created by one of Haines’ earliest residents, Steve Sheldon, who began collecting items at the age of 8 and continued throughout his life.
The Alaska Indian Arts and the Chilkat Center for the Arts are other places where you can see masterpieces of indigenous art. But the city’s most unique museum is the Hammer Museum: a collection of over 1400 hammers, each with its own history and use. About 30 miles north of the city you can visit the Kroschel Wildlife Center, home to bears, wolves and many other animals.
Even more interesting, however, is the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve: a 19,000-hectare reserve where more than 3,000 eagles gather every year in areas not surprisingly called Valley of the Eagles and Eagle Council Grounds. The raptors spend the winter here because a hot spring greatly prolongs the migration of salmon, which become easy prey for the eagles.
Skagway
The last stop is also one of the main ones for tourists. This tiny village of less than 2000 people is the gateway to the Klondike gold mines. More information is available on the page dedicated to what to see in Skagway.
Inside Passage Natural Attractions
The towns along the Inside Passage are worth visiting, but what makes the southeast region of Alaska unique is its unspoiled nature. Tongass forest covers much of the islands and the thin coastline that separates the Inside Passage from the Canadian border.
The vast forested areas are interrupted by some of the greatest natural wonders Alaska has to offer, starting with the majestic glaciers. As I did for the cities, I will list the major natural attractions starting from the south.
Misty Fjords
The Misty Fjords are one of the most evocative and mysterious places in the state. Not far from the southern border of the state, they are easily accessible from Ketchikan. On the dedicated page, you will find more information about the tours available for visiting this spectacular area of Alaska.
Prince of Wales Island
One of the largest islands in the United States along with Kodiak Island and Big Island in Hawaii. If your trip to Alaska is focused in the southeast and you love trekking in the wilderness, this is the destination for you. The island contains the largest number of roads in the entire region, which, in addition to connecting the various villages that dot its coastline, allow you to reach the inland areas, from where many trails branch off. It is also one of the best places to rent a kayak to admire the rocky cliffs from the sea and have a good chance of running into some whales.
Admiralty Island
This island, halfway between Sitka and Juneau, is one of the best places in the world to see bears in the wild. In fact, this island has the highest density of brown bears in the United States, and to give you an idea, the ratio of bears to locals is 3 to 1. Bears are not the only attraction of the island: their survival is guaranteed by the fact that many other animals find their habitat here, creating a unique and complete ecosystem.
Mendenhall Glacier
Very close to the capital of Alaska and easily reachable from here, it is one of the most visited glaciers in the state. In the page dedicated to what to see in Juneau you will find more information on the various ways and organized tours you will have to visit this majestic glacier.
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
What separates the southeast from the rest of Alaska is the Glacier Bay: a complex system of glaciers that all face the same large bay over 62 miles long and that continues today to expand due to the melting of the ice. We have included it in the Top 10 must-see places in Alaska because it really has something unique. If you consider it as a single park together with the bordering nature reserves (Wrangell-St. Elias and the Canadian Kluane National Park and Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park) it makes the largest protected area in the world.
The most beautiful glaciers are the Reid Glacier, the Lamplugh Glacier and the Margerie Glacier. Every day fragments of ice and big icebergs break off from the glaciers and end up in the sea: a breathtaking spectacle for the visitors who enter the bay on organized boat tours. For visits to Glacier Bay National Park, the reference point is Gustavus, that can be reached by plane or ferry: the sea tours and the small airplanes that fly over the glaciers depart from here.
Whale Watching
The Inside Passage is also one of the best places in the world for whale watching. Boat and kayak tours depart from all major towns in the region to spot the great whales, which flock to these inlets especially in summer and autumn, when the waters are richer in plankton. Here are some excursions you can choose from if you want to spot these huge cetaceans.
- Whale Watching Cruise and Kayak Excursion from Juneau
- Three-hour cruise from Juneau
- Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour from Ketchikan
Where to Sleep
It’s hard to recommend hotels to stay at if you have an entire region to cover. What I would recommend is to stay overnight in those towns that are strategically located to reach the best attractions in the region. Ketchikan, Juneau and Sitka are certainly among those to consider, and in the articles that we have dedicated on the website to these destinations, you can find advice on accommodation. For a list of all the hotels available in these locations you can take a look at the links below.
