The Alexander Archipelago is a group of 10,000 islands snuggled up to the narrow strip of mainland on the west side of the Coastal Mountains. Protected from the Pacific Ocean, the calm waters of the Inside Passage stretch from Ketchikan to Skagway.

The majority of land in Southeast Alaska in managed by the US forest Service and National Park service. The Tongass National Forest is the nation's largest with over 17 million acres. Located just west of Juneau, the Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is approximately 3.3 million acres. Private, state and city lands account for less than 10% of the total land base. The magnificent temperate rain forest of the Tongass National Forest stretches along the northern Pacific Ocean. This biome extends from coastal northern California to Prince William Sound.

Located just 37 miles west of Juneau, the homestead community of Gustavus is the entry point for Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. With no road access, Gustavus is easily accessible by year round scheduled commuter air service and during the summer by a scenic three-hour ferry ride or a 14-minute flight on a Alaska Airline 737 jet. The area is famous for its incredible country inns and lodges, most of which offer high levels of personal service and outstanding gourmet meals. Visitors to Gustavaus, population 386, can stay in the community or within the Park. During the day there are opportunities to take a day cruise into Glacier Bay National Park, fish for salmon or halibut, watch whales at Point Adolphus, or even play golf on the most scenic course in Alaska. Mountain bike and sea kayak adventures are also available.

Located northeast of Juneau is Skagway, home of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and the beginning of the world-renowned Chilkoot Trail. Visitors to Skagway can retrace the steps of the Klondike Gold Rush miners by climbing the Chilkoot Trail or taking the famous White Pass and Yukon Railroad, which follows the Dead Horse trail. The railroad is one of the few narrow gauge railroads left in the world. Much of downtown Skagway has been restored to its turn of the century splendor. One of only three communities in Southeast Alaska accessible by road, daily ferry service during the summer is provided by the Alaska Marine Highway System (6 hours) or commercial fast ferry service (2 hours). Convenient scheduled commuter air connections are also available.

Northwest of Juneau, just ten miles west of Skagway is Haines, Alaska. Former home of Ft. Seward, Alaska's first army post, was built 1903 to protect northern Lynn Canal's deep-water ports. Also located in Haines is the 48,000-acre Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. The preserve is home to 250 pairs of resident eagles; however, from November to March bald eagle numbers increase dramatically to 4,000. Also located on the road system, Haines is accessible by the Alaska Marine Highway System (4 _ hours), commercial fast ferry (summer season 2 hours) and scheduled commuter air service.

On the outer coast, further northwest of Juneau is Yakutat, gateway to the Hubbard Glacier, Alaska's most active tidewater glacier. Daily jet service connects Juneau with this Native community. From Yakutat, adventures and surfers- yes surfers- gain access to Alaska's "lost coast" on the southern edge of the Wrangell St. Elias National Park. The rivers around Yakutat boast the best salmon and steelhead fishing in the world.

Ninety miles west of Juneau lies Sitka, the historic capital of Russian-America. This compact community on the edge of the Pacific Ocean was once referred to as the "Paris of the Pacific" due to its cosmopolitan nature. Trading vessels from the west coast of North America all stopped in Sitka en route to Russia, China and Japan. Sitka's Russian heritage can be seen today throughout the town. Visitors can stand in front of the flagpole where, on October 18, 1867, the territory of Alaska officially exchanged hands between Russia and America. Daily jet service and regular ferry service offer visitors to Juneau easy access to Sitka.

One hundred miles south of Juneau is the fishing community of Petersburg. Known as Alaska's little Norway, as many of the town's inhabitants share a Scandinavian heritage, Petersburg has a delightful atmosphere in a spectacular setting. Convenient to the Tebenkof Wilderness area, jet, ferry and commuter air service serve Petersburg from Juneau.

A few miles to the east of Petersburg is the community of Wrangell. Founded as a gold mining town a few years before Juneau, until recently, Wrangell was predominantly a timber town. As that industry fell on hard times, Wrangell residents turned to their natural assets and have become Southeast Alaska's newest visitor destination. Wrangell is the starting point for day tours to the bear watching observatory at Anan Creek and for river trips to the mighty Stikine River which flows from Canada through the Coastal mountains into the ocean.

Located on Admiralty Island, the Tlingit village of Angoon is just 60 air miles from Juneau. Scheduled commuter air and ferry service provide access to this full service community of 725 residents. Angoon's rich Tlingit culture is reflected in its collection of totem poles. Adventure travelers will enjoy the community's close proximity to hiking, canoeing and bear-viewing.

Located on Chichagof Island, 90 miles west of Juneau, is Elfin Cove. Known for its access to world-class fishing, Elfin Cove is home to 40 year round residents.

Tucked into a natural harbor on northern Chichagof Island, the Tlingit fishing village of Hoonah offers boaters a safe layover before venturing into Glacier Bay. This full service community is served daily by scheduled commuter air service.

On the northwest edge of Chichagof Island, 70 miles west of Juneau is Pelican. Surrounded by old growth rain forest, the fjord-like setting is one of the most picturesque in the state. This full service community of 150 year round residence offers daily commuter air service from Juneau.

Just 28 miles from Juneau, this site offers the best opportunity to view the magnificent coastal brown bear. From July to August, up to 20 bears a day dine on the plentiful salmon of Pack Creek. Bear-viewing permits are required and are available from the U.S. Forest Service, Juneau Ranger District (907) 586-8751 or (907) 586-8800. Please plan well in advance, as permits are limited. Additional information on outfitters to Pack Creek can be obtained at 888-581-2201.

Nestled on the banks of the famed Yukon River, Juneau's Canadian sister city Whitehorse, YT awaits. With a population of 30,000, Whitehorse often serves as a layover for weary travelers along the Alaska Highway (Al-Can). Motorists continuing on to Juneau will enjoy the 2 _ hour drive from Whitehorse to the ferry terminal in Skagway. Scheduled jet service to Juneau is also available.