The Coast Guard Beach Trail Is An Easy Hike In Alaska That Takes You To An Unforgettable View

Just outside Ketchikan, Alaska, there’s a trail that will take you to to a sweeping and remarkable view. It’s not a difficult hike to tackle; it’s not terribly long and you won’t have to summit a mountain to complete the hike. But when you reach the end of the trail, you’ll enjoy a million-dollar vista... even if you din’t have to pay a steep price to get there! Here’s what you need to know in order to hike this beautiful trail in Alaska.

The Coast Guard Beach Trail is located in the Tongass National Forest, about 20 minutes from Ketchikan. The trailhead is located near a school so there’s plenty of parking. Dogs are allowed on the trail.

The trail is an out-and-back trek that travels about 1.6 miles. There are no giant hills, but it’s not perfectly flat - you’ll encounter many small hills and some stairs.

The trail is open year-round, though it's best tackled from June-September. You might want to bring some waterproof boots along, as the trail can get a little wet and muddy.

You’ll see a lot of wildlife on this trail – you may spot whales, sea lions, otters, and squirrels, all on one short hike!

For such a short hike, you’ll encounter a lot of incredible scenery. The trail travels through temperate rainforest and alpine meadows and it will take you right to the shoreline.

At the end of the trail, you’ll find a gorgeous beach and a remarkable view. If you arrive when the tide is low, take time to explore the beach or sit on the rocks and just take in the beauty of this special spot.

You may want to bring a picnic along on this hike. The beach is a wonderful spot for whale watching: just sit back, relax, and see if you gets some company for lunch! If you linger long enough, you can also take in a nice sunset view, too. If you love little adventures like this, here are some more amazing hikes in Alaska you should consider.