Surrounded by mountains, water and a 17 million acre forest, there is no shortage of adventure opportunities for a vacation in Ketchikan. The Tongass National Forest is managed for recreational and wilderness use. Day hikes are popular, especially up Deer Mountain (3,000 ft.), which serves as the backdrop of downtown Ketchikan, and backcountry exploration service is available from local floatplane operators and charter boats to more remote trailheads. Of the 150 U.S. Forest Service's cabin sites available for public use in the Tongass, 80 are accessible from Ketchikan. The protected waters of Alaska's Inside Passage encourage boating and kayaking amidst scenery that will take your breath away. Day trip options range from paddling along the downtown waterfront to more remote locations.