When you think of Middle Earth, we would be willing to bet that the first place that comes to your mind is New Zealand. That stunning destination served as the main setting for the movie versions of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. But Alaska is giving everywhere else on Earth a run for their money with this one special spot that epitomizes the Tolkien's own descriptions of Middle Earth. With lush landscapes, towering trees, unique bridges, ample hiking opportunities, remote boardwalks, and hidden caves, you're sure to be transported directly into a Middle Earth paradise when you visit the Tongass National Forest, one of the most beautiful places in Alaska!

The strikingly beautiful Tongass National Forest spans much of Southeast Alaska.

At 17 million acres in size, this is the largest national forest in the United States of America.

Surrounding the famous Inside Passage, the Tongass National Forest is home to a diverse mix of geographic features.

The temperate rainforest gives way to a lush blend of towering western red cedar, Sitka spruce, and western hemlock trees.

In fact, the Tongass is actually the largest remaining temperate rainforest on planet earth.

Beneath the surface the underlying terrain is made up of a mix of karst (limestone rock) and granite.

While much of the Tongass is accessible throughout the different towns in Southeast Alaska, it is also remote enough to be home to a variety of different species of rare flora and fauna.

There are even muskeg trees in the boreal (taiga) regions of the Tongass. These unique areas have trees that can be found stunted or twisted as they try to gain greater sunlight exposure.

The trails through the trees are reminiscent of the lush landscapes Tolkien described.

Filled with tons of lakes, rivers, creeks, streams and even nearby ocean access - it's impossible to deny that the Tongass feels like something straight out of middle earth.

And while the Tongass itself could be considered a natural wonder, the waterfall views in this are seemingly endless. Consider this forest a hotspot that's hiding some of the most overlooked natural wonders in Alaska!

From small to large, waterfalls are plentiful in this incredibly wet and rainy region of the state.

The ample hiking opportunities in the Tongass are sure to blow you away.

Wooded boardwalks and stairways give way to hiking destinations that will transport you straight into a Middle Earth wonderland.

Don't be fooled by the guidebooks, this magical place is DEFINITELY a year-round adventurer destination.

To take the LOTR vibes up a notch, you will be pleasantly surprised by all the cool hidden bridges throughout the Tongass. As you wind through the woods, rustic bridges will lead you into areas that are rarely traveled to.

It's not a Tolkien setting without cool caves to explore such as El Capitan Cave near Prince of Wales Island.

The Tongass National Forest in Alaska is one of Alaska's two massive national forests, Tongass and Chugach, which combine to cover an incredible 20 million acres. That's a whole lot of beauty to explore!

If you think this forest is pretty amazing, know that it's just the start of everything that makes Alaska so special! Learn more about how hiking to this above-ground cave in Alaska will give you a surreal experience. Also, this wildly unique ice cave in Alaska is truly extraordinary, and you'll definitely want to visit.