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NOTICE: The tragic August 25, 2024 landslide in Ketchikan also damaged a portion of the Rainbird Trail. The trail is closed until further notice. My heart goes out to the residents of Ketchikan.
Hiking the Rainbird Trail is a great option for one-day visitors to Ketchikan who want to fit in a quick hike. It’s close to downtown and a moderate, relatively short, and beautiful hike. It’s got lush ferns and mossy trees, leading to sweeping panoramic views of Ketchikan and the Tongass Narrows.
And you can access the trailheads on public transit!
But because public transit doesn’t run that frequently, figuring out how to coordinate the logistics of your hike requires a little planning.
And if you are trying to even figure out where the trail starts and ends, whether it’s best to turn back or continue, how long it takes—there is not a lot of good information out there. Even the AllTrails app can be confusing.
Since I just did the hike on my recent trip to Ketchikan, I figured it all out! So I I thought I’d share what I learned about how to access and make the most of the Rainbird Trail.
Why hike the Rainbird Trail?
The town of Ketchikan is surrounded by the Tongass National Forest, and the Rainbird Trail lets you dip your toe into the magic of this lush green forest.
Covering 17 million acres in southeast Alaska, the Tongass National Forest, according to the US Forest Service is “the largest National Forest in the Unites States, and the largest contiguous temperate rainforest in the world.”
Because it rains so much in the area, the forest is damp from head to toe, with soft green moss carpeting the forest floor and wisps of moss hanging off the trees. You can’t help but look around in wonder—it almost feels like a movie set, it’s so perfect!
But that’s not all!
On the southern portion of the trail you pop out to a window overlooking the town of Ketchikan. From there you can look out across the Tongass Narrows to the mountains in the distance, and watch as tiny seaplanes flow in and out of town.
Even on a rainy day it’s beautiful. Good thing, because almost every day is rainy (Ketchikan gets an annual rainfall of 140-160 inches)!
What to expect on the Rainbird Trail
The full trail length is 1.3 miles (2.1 km) one way, with a 300-foot (91m) elevation gain.
It is pretty well marked, although there was one confusing spot. Look for the green circle trail markers on trees.
The trail typically takes about one hour end to end, but you could hike it faster or slower depending on your level of fitness—and how much time you take looking around in wonder.
The terrain is a mix of boardwalk, steps, bridges, dirt path, stones, and a few small stream crossings. The trail is definitely not wheelchair or stroller accessible.
We didn’t find the trail too difficult overall, but there were a few tricky spots climbing up or down rocks where you might need to use your hands.
The trail tends to be muddy (due to aforementioned rainforest), and therefore can be slippery in spots. Your shoes will get dirty!
Getting to the Rainbird Trail
There are three access points to the trail, running from northwest to southeast above town.
The two end points are accessible by public transit on the Silver Line Bus (2$) and the Green Line Bus (2$). Use the Transit app or the 2024 summer schedule to check times.
University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) Campus
Near Ketchikan High School and University of Alaska Southeast campus (7th Ave / Madison St)
This trailhead is the furthest from downtown.
You can take the Green Line Bus from Mill St in downtown to Ketchikan High School ($2).
The Silver Bus ($2) only stops at the Ketchikan High School stop on the way south, so this is a good transit option if you are coming from Totem Bight State Park.
Once you get off the bus, wind your way up the hill towards the trailhead (there are signs to guide you). The trailhead is right next to the University of Alaska Southeast building.
Some people do a there-and-back hike from this trailhead, and get back on the Silver Bus from Ketchikan High School into town. To time it right to catch the next bus, make sure to turn around after around 25 minutes or less, since the bus comes by only once per hour.
I would recommend taking the trail all the way to the South Access trailhead instead. The hike takes about the same amount of time (one hour)…you just have to catch another bus to get back into town (or walk).
The magical mossy forest vibes run from the UAS trailhead to the trail midpoint (spur to the North Access trailhead).
North Access
Ketchikan Hiking Trails on Google Maps
The North Access trailhead on 3rd Avenue drops you onto a short but steep section of trail that leads up to the midpoint of the actual Rainbird Trail. If you start at this point, when you reach the main trail you will have to quickly decide whether to walk left (towards UAS trailhead) or right (South Access trailhead). It’s much better to do both!
You can access the trailhead from the road, and there is a small parking area at the trailhead. It would take you about 35-40 minutes to walk to this trailhead from downtown, including some uphills.
We did not take this short section of the trail, so I can’t say much more about it!
South Access
3rd Ave Trailhead on Google Maps
The South Access 3rd Ave trailhead is about a 10-minute walk to/from the Ketchikan Public Library along a major (but not super busy) road above town.
At the library you can catch the Silver Line bus or Green Line bus into town. Those buses run once an hour. If your timing is off to catch a bus, or you just want to walk more, it is about a 20-minute walk from the library into downtown (first a short uphill, then all downhill).
The amazing panoramic views of the Tongass Narrows run between the South Access trailhead and the trail midpoint (spur to the North Access trailhead).
Don’t be fooled by maps: downtown is down a steep hill from any of the trailheads. So unless you want a good warm-up walk (which you might), take the bus to the library or to UAS and work your way down. There are still plenty of little ups and downs on the trail to get your heart pumping.
The best way to fit the Rainbird Trail into your one-day Ketchikan itinerary
It’s best to hit the Rainbird trail on your way back to town from Totem Bight State Park, especially if you get an early start.
Get off the southbound Silver Line bus at Ketchikan High School—note that the bus does NOT stop at the high school on the way TO Totem Bight State Park. Make sure to mention to your bus driver that you want to get off at the high school, and they will let you know when to get off.
Do the full length of the trail to the South Access trailhead and walk into town or catch the bus at the library (highly recommended). Or do a quick there-and-back hike from the UAS trailhead and get back on the bus into town.
Then you have time to enjoy a nice lunch in town and explore some other activities!
Fun Fact: what is a Rainbird?
The Ketchikan Rainbird is a mythical creature and local legend! The story goes that in 1937, photographer Mitch Cawley was stuck waiting out a big rain storm at the Blue Fox Café. He passed the time by whittling. After a few hours (it sure can rain in Ketchikan), he had completed a masterpiece: a one foot tall sad-looking bird hunched over. This became known as the Rainbird, which has become something of a mascot for Ketchikan.
Final Thoughts
If you can fit it into your itinerary, the Rainbird Trail is the perfect little hike to get a taste of the Tongass National Forest and still have time to see more of Ketchikan. It will get your heart pumping a little, but won’t wear you out.
Do yourself a favor an take the full trail from UAS to the South Access trailhead to get the full experience of the rainforest and the dramatic views. You won’t be disappointed!
