15 Reasons To Drop Everything And Visit The Alaska Panhandle

Each and every region in Alaska varies so drastically from the next. If you were an original explorer of this great land, you'd likely think that you were traveling to multiple states because the terrain and climate here is so diverse. Southeast Alaska is special and completely unique on so many magnificent levels. It is lush, filled with natural beauty and vastly untouched.

It's no surprise that over half of all visitors that travel to the panhandle via cruise ship end up coming back at a later date to further explore. Because as you'll find below, it's impossible to appreciate the true magnitude of this distinctive region without getting up close and personal with its raw, rugged attributes. Here are 15 reasons to drop everything and visit the Alaska panhandle.

1. It is home to the largest temperate rainforest in the US.

Bragging rights for days! The Tongass National Forest seriously has something for everyone. Plus it is (hands down) one of the most beautiful places in the entire world.

2. The fishing in Southeast is an angler’s nirvana.

From on the salt to fly fishing in the river, you can do it all on the panhandle. No matter where you go, the scenery is bound to knock the breath right out of you.

3. You haven’t lived until you’ve soaked in a natural hot spring in the rain in Southeast Alaska.

Tenakee Hot Springs or White Sulphur Springs are two totally relaxing options!

4. Because only two towns are connected to the highway road system, traffic really isn’t ever an issue.

Exclude the tourism foot traffic and Juneau's abundant flow during legislature and you know exactly what we're talking about. Easy moving!

5. Although you get major crowd influxes during the summer months (due to the cruise lines), the other 8 months of the year feel like you have the whole outdoor playground all to yourself.

Relish in the seclusion, relish you must! It is simply paradise!

6. The ferry system is seriously second to none.

You can load up your car and explore the region for days on end. Plus the food is great and the sleeping arrangements are super comfortable!

7. As the timber capital of the state, you’re also guaranteed the most epic hiking spots in the entire world.

With more hiking trails than actual road, it's impossible to argue this one.

8. And the hunting is pretty much limitless as well.

Those Sitka black tail deer are just about the most delicious wild game you can come across. YUM!

9. Catching crabs comes easy, and it’s so much more delicious than it sounds!

Drop your pots and pull up a bounty of natural resources. We know you'll be thanking us later!

10. The native art and culture here is beyond awe-inspiring.

Visit the Totem Bight State Historical Park in Ketchikan for a glimpse into the beautiful and artistic world of Alaska Native heritage.

11. If you’re a river rat, this is will be your version of Disney Land.

Over 500 named rivers with most under 30 miles in length, there are so many great places to take a day paddle or to camp overnight along the way. Wet a line or take a dip into the chilly water to fully soak up the experience!

12. A glacier tour will give you a lifetime’s worth of eye-candy.

Sawyer, Hubbard, Mendenhall, Laughton, Denver, Davidson, Harding, Taku, Herbert and Lemon Creek... just to name a few!

13. As the region that gets more annual rainfall than anywhere else in the state, you’re guaranteed a beautiful, lush environment.

Nothing beats the smell of fresh air and moist leaves after a good, steady rainfall.

14. Even the tiniest of restaurants will make your taste buds explode with happiness.

Like Tracy's King Crab Shack in Juneau and the Chipper Fish in Hoonah, just to name a couple! So much YUM, so little time!

15. That whole ‘hospitality’ thing is on a whole new level here.

Be prepared to never want to leave after meeting some of the nicest people on earth.

As if you aren't already convinced that the Alaska panhandle is somewhere that you need to visit ASAP, check out this video that proves it is impossible not to fall in love with Alaska's state capital of Juneau.