The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Tongass National Forest

The Alaska Raptor Center is located in Sitka, Alaska. It is a non-profit organization specializing in the rehabilitation of injured birds of prey. Native birds of prey can be seen there, including eagles, hawks, owls, and falcons. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center near Juneau brings you up close to the rugged beauty of Alaska. Here you can not only admire the impressive glacier and the turquoise glacial water, but also gain exciting insights into the geology and ecosystem of this region. The center itself offers exhibitions that illustrate the history and development of the glacier and a fascinating view of the retreating ice. The area around the center is criss-crossed by easily accessible trails such as the Photo Point Trail and the popular Nugget Falls Trail, which takes you to the roaring Nugget Falls. For nature lovers, the Steep Creek Trail is a highlight - especially during salmon season, when bears gather at the stream. From elevated walkways you can observe the animals without disturbing their peace. In winter, a completely different scene awaits you, when nature freezes in silent beauty. Take the time to explore the short Trail of Time, which tells the history of the glacier on information boards and lets you delve deep into the formation of this unique landscape. The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is more than just a visitor center - it is an experience that shows you the power and fragility of nature first hand.

This is the northeast trailhead for the hike to Heart Lake and Thimbleberry Lake. There is a minor river ford between Heart Lake and this trailhead that isn't much fun with a bike, so if you're planning to ride out and back from one trail, that's best done from the south trailhead. That way, even if the river feels impassable, you still get to see both lakes before turning back. Alternatively, you can also make a loop by walking Sawmill Creek Road.

The Mount Roberts Mountain House is the upper station for the Goldbelt Tramway — but you can also run up the mountain to get here. If you ran up and want to take the tram down, you might be asked to pay $5 for a tram ticket or, alternatively, buy $10 worth of products at the gift shop in the Mountain House, which comes with a free tram ride back down the mountain.

Thimbleberry Lake is the larger of two lakes on this trail; the other, smaller lake is Heart Lake. There is a river ford/crossing between Heart Lake and the northeast, or Blue Lake Road, trailhead.

Heart Lake is the smaller of two lakes on this trail; the other is Thimbleberry Lake. There is a river crossing between Heart Lake and the northeast, or Blue Lake Road, trailhead.

This is the northeast trailhead for the hike to Heart Lake and Thimbleberry Lake. There is a minor river ford between Heart Lake and this trailhead, so if you're planning to hike out and back from one trail, you might consider using the south trailhead. That way, even if the river feels impassable, you still get to see both lakes before turning back. Alternatively, you can also make a loop by walking Sawmill Creek Road. This trailhead has a short access road that may be blocked by a gate. Per Sitka Trail Works, if the gate is closed you can park across from the Industrial Park and hike up the road to the trailhead. (Make sure not to block the gate.)

Keep an eye out for spawning salmon in the river under the bridge. The runs tend to be strongest in July and August; if you visit far outside that time, you might not see many fish. Any time you see a river full of fish in Alaska, make sure you keep an eye out for bears as well. They can't resist the allure of such a rich, readily available food source.