America's Largest Forest: Tongass National Forest, Alaska

The Tongass National Forest in southeast Alaska is the United States' largest national forest—and the world's largest intact temperate rainforest.

Key Facts

• Size: 16.7+ million acres (67,800 km²) — larger than West Virginia
• Region: Alexander Archipelago — islands, fjords, mountains, glaciers
• Ecosystem: Temperate rainforest — ancient cedar, spruce, hemlock

Wildlife

• Bald eagles (highest density worldwide)
• Brown/black bears, wolves, Sitka black-tailed deer
• Marine: whales, sea lions, salmon, halibut

Glacial Features

Contains North America's largest icefield and numerous tidewater glaciers.

Recreation & Conservation

Hiking, fishing, hunting, kayaking, wildlife viewing. Ongoing debates balance timber harvesting, indigenous rights, tourism, and wilderness preservation.

Tongass represents one of Earth's last great temperate rainforest expanses.