Rainbird Trail (from Ketchikan cruise port) free + on your own! 🏔 Ketchikan Alaska cruise tips

Hi there!

The Rainbird Trail was a relatively easy way to see a rainforest during an Alaska cruise.

This easy way I did it required transportation to get to the trailhead, and then walking a little uphill to get to the trail. (It’s a paved street through a residential neighborhood.)

It was possible to make the Rainbird Trail a short hike or a longer hike.

Once at the university trailhead, you could peep into the rainforest by walking for 5 to 10 minutes, and then turn around and head back the way you came from. (Which was the best thing to do if it’s raining hard and you’re not wearing waterproof shoes!)

When I did this, you could keep going further to do the Rainbird Trail as a one-way hike, and then end up in another area from which you could walk back to the cruise port. But, in late summer 2024, there was a mudslide which has impacted the middle part of the trail.

As a result, the city of Ketchikan reports that the Rainbird Trail is closed “indefinitely.” Check for current updates.

As an alternative, you might like a rainforest hiking tour in Ketchikan.

You might also like a Ketchikan kayaking tour or the Ketchikan low tide exploration!

Also see more about walking in Ketchikan and hiking in Alaska cruise ports.

Below tells you about my experience with the Rainbird Trail… when it was open!

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I first did the Rainbird Trail in September 2023, having arrived to Ketchikan on a Princess cruise ship. It was a rainy day, and I didn’t make it far. 😆😅 I was not wearing waterproof shoes and my feet got soaked. Part of the trail was a literal stream to the point where I thought I somehow got off the trail!

But even at that time, I thought the best part was actually near the start of the trail! This is why I think even if you don’t want to do the whole trail, it can be a perfect place to do a little walking in a rainforest on your own!

I also did the Rainbird Trail again in better weather in October 2023, having arrived on a Norwegian cruise ship. The weather was really good that day, and I did the whole trail, starting at the same spot I did before, and then I hiked through the forest to the other end, and then continued on regular roads back to downtown Ketchikan.

I ended up on the other side of downtown Ketchikan from where I needed to be for the shuttle back to Ward Cove where NCL cruise ships dock, so I actually got on the free downtown shuttle to take me to the Ward Cove shuttle stop. I didn’t want to walk anymore. 😅

This free downtown shuttle is the same way you can get to one of the starting location of the Rainbird Trail at the university trailhead!

I recommend that you stop by the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau (map) that’s located right in front of the cruise ships downtown to ask about current trail conditions before you go. They also have downtown walking maps too.

The Rainbird Trail can be an easy way to get an introduction to an Alaska rainforest.

See below for details on how to make the Rainbird Trail a part of your day in Ketchikan cruise port!

Basic trail information

The Rainbird Trail is a relatively easy hike through the forest.

According to the trailhead sign, the Rainbird Trail is around 1.3 miles one-way, but you can also just go to the start of the trail and walk around for 5-10 minutes just for the experience of being in the forest.

There are 3 spots that you can start the Rainbird Trail.

Whether you want to walk just a little bit, or if you want to do the full trail, going to the Rainbird trailhead that’s near the University of Alaska Southeast campus can be perfect.

This trailhead is located around a 15 minute walk one-way from the free downtown shuttle stop near Safeway. This shuttle runs on a 20 minute loop.

If you’re looking for a casual couple of hours in Ketchikan that includes a short walk through a forest, then the Rainbird Trail can be perfect.

Because of the free shuttle, this makes it one of the free things to do in Ketchikan.

If you don’t want to bother with the shuttle, the nearest Rainbird Trail starting point is about a 30 minute walk from cruise ships downtown.

Is the Rainbird Trail worth it?

If you have a couple of hours and you’re looking for an easy way to walk a little bit through a rainforest in Alaska on your own, then I think even walking around for 10 minutes on the Rainbird Trail near the University of Alaska Southeast is a fun experience.

If you’re considering hiking the whole Rainbird Trail (more than just a little walk around near the trailhead), then I would also be looking into doing the Deer Mountain Trail as an alternative. I haven’t done this hike, but it’s on my list! The Deer Mountain Trail will take more time than the Rainbird Trail, and it seems like it will offer better views. If you’re going to do the Deer Mountain Trail, be prepared for a “real” hike! (map + reviews)

👆 You’ll see this almost immediately upon starting the Rainbird Trail near the University of Alaska Southeast Ketchikan.

👆 You’ll see this after walking maybe 2 more minutes.

👆 This is around a 10 minute walk from the college campus trailhead. On this day, I turned around about a minute after this and returned the same way I came. You can keep going to do a one-way hike on the Rainbird Trail.

Map: Ketchikan cruise port to Rainbird trailhead

Most cruise ships dock in downtown Ketchikan. (If you are NCL, then you will dock at Ward Cove, and there is a free shuttle to downtown Ketchikan.)

The free downtown shuttle stops are the same as the regular city bus stops. On google maps, you can zoom in and look for the little bus icon to know where the bus stops are. There is a shuttle stop located in front of the downtown cruise ship docks. There will be a big sign on the bus that says it’s the free downtown shuttle.

There is a bus stop in front of the coffee shop called Alaska Coffee.

You’ll take this downtown shuttle to Safeway. You can follow along on google maps using GPS to know when your stop is getting near, or you can ask the bus driver.

Ideally you’ll want to get on the bus that’s headed directly away from town (the direction of Safeway) like at Alaska Coffee, but if you get on the shuttle on the wrong side of the street, it’s okay. You’ll still get there eventually because it is a loop.

Once you get off at the Safeway bus stop, you can then start your walk to the Rainbird trailhead. You can use google maps to guide your way. This will be around a 15 minute walk. Along the way, you’ll see a sign directing you to the Rainbird Trail.

👆 Map. How to get to Rainbird trailhead: Ketchikan cruise port to shuttle stop near the Rainbird Trail. Explore the map.

No matter how you do this rainforest hike in Ketchikan, I recommend that you download the free offline maps app called mapsme. Once you download it, also be sure to download the Alaska map.

Then, it will make it easy to locate any of the spots to start the Rainbird Trail! (Although I recommend starting at the far west end.)

You can use the map even while you’re in airplane mode, as GPS will work even if you have your data turned off. (Regular US data service does generally work in Ketchikan though.)

👆 Use the app called mapsme to easily see the different starting locations of the Rainbird Trail! This is the Rainbird trailhead near University of Alaska Southeast Ketchikan campus. (map)

👆 Another spot you can start the trail. I don’t see this starting point marked on google maps.

Cost

There is no entry fee for the Rainbird Trail, and there is a free shuttle that can get you reasonably close to the trailhead, so it’s possible to do your Rainbird Trail excursion for free!

What to wear hiking the Rainbird Trail

If you will be doing the full Rainbird Trail, then I recommend wearing waterproof shoes.

Rain is likely in Ketchikan. And if it is raining when you’re in Ketchikan, then it’s quite possible that you’ll end up walking through puddles of water… or a stream!

So it’s a good idea to prepare for hiking in the rain in Ketchikan.

Not only does this include waterproof shoes, but having general rain gear is also a good idea, like a poncho or rain jacket.

One of the best waterproof shoes to have is Merrell hiking boots or Salomon trail running shoes.

Be sure to break in new shoes at home before you wear them for long walks.

Rain gear can include a proper rain jacket and rain pants, or if you want to keep it simple (and cheap), I think it’s fine to opt to wear a $5 poncho from Walmart for the Rainbird Trail!

Bring along a water bottle, and ideally some snacks too! You can pack a refillable water bottle for your cruise, and then once on the cruise ship there are free water stations in the buffet area.

Reviews

Before doing any hiking in Ketchikan or any other Alaska cruise ports, it’s a good idea to read through the reviews so you can know what to expect and to decide if it’s right for you. It can also give you an idea of current trail conditions.

Read the reviews for the Rainbird Trail:

• google maps
• alltrails

More walks in Ketchikan

Depending on how much time you want to spend hiking, how much effort you want to put forth, and what the weather is like (or come prepared for the rain!), here are more walks for you to consider:

• Salmon ladder (mid-summer to early fall)
• Totem pole walks in Ketchikan

More walks in Alaska cruise ports: Ketchikan | Juneau | Skagway | Icy Strait Point | Sitka | Victoria | Seattle | Vancouver

PLUS: Hiking in Alaska cruise ports

HAPPY HIKING THE RAINBIRD TRAIL!

I did the Rainbird Trail in 2023 on September 21 and October 27. Trail conditions can change, and your experience may vary!