What Is Misty Fjords? Alaska’s Cliffs, Waterfalls & Wildlife

Misty Fjords is a wilderness area near Ketchikan, Alaska, known for tall cliffs, waterfalls and long, narrow bays carved by glaciers. These bays are called fjords, and travelers explore them by boat or see them from above on a floatplane tour.

A visit takes you beyond Ketchikan’s waterfront and into the forests and mountains nearby. You can watch waterfalls spill down the cliffs, pass islands covered in trees or fly above lakes tucked between the peaks. It’s a chance to spend part of your Alaska vacation surrounded by the scenery you came to see.

Here’s what to know about Misty Fjords and how to explore it during your time in Ketchikan.

Where Is Misty Fjords?

Misty Fjords lies east of Ketchikan in Southeast Alaska. Ketchikan is on Revillagigedo Island, while much of Misty Fjords stretches across the nearby mainland.

Most sightseeing trips begin in Ketchikan. Boats travel along Behm Canal, a natural waterway between the island and the mainland, before heading into the fjords. Floatplanes take off from the water and fly toward the mountains.

If your cruise stops in Ketchikan, you can join a guided excursion to explore the area during your day ashore.

How Were the Misty Fjords Formed?

Misty Fjords formed when glaciers slowly moved through the area, carving deep valleys into the rock. After the ice melted and pulled back, seawater filled those valleys.

The cliffs you see today are the sides of those old valleys. They rise high above the sea and continue below the water’s surface.

That’s what makes a fjord different from an ordinary bay: A glacier helped give it its shape. When you look up at the rock walls from a boat, you’re seeing the path that ice carved through the mountains.

What Can You See in Misty Fjords?

Misty Fjords is known for its cliffs and waterfalls, but there are smaller details to notice, too. Trees grow along narrow rock ledges, streams wind toward the sea and lakes fill hollows between the mountains.

Tall Cliffs in Rudyerd Bay

Rudyerd Bay is one of the best-known places to see Misty Fjords’ granite cliffs. The rock walls rise thousands of feet above the water, with forest growing across the slopes above.

From a boat, you can follow the cliffs all the way from the shoreline toward the sky. Make sure to look for the trees growing along their sides.

Waterfalls & Mountain Lakes

Rain and water flowing from the mountains feed the waterfalls in Misty Fjords. Some fall in thin streams down the rock, while others spread across wider slopes before reaching the sea.

A flightseeing trip also reveals lakes high in the mountains. Some sit among trees, while others are surrounded by exposed rock.

These lakes are part of what makes the view from a plane so different. You get to see places hidden behind the cliffs when you’re traveling by boat.

New Eddystone Rock

New Eddystone Rock is a tall column of volcanic rock standing in Behm Canal. It formed from hardened lava inside a volcanic vent, the opening where molten rock travels toward the surface.

While glaciers shaped much of the surrounding scenery, this landmark tells you that volcanoes played a part here, too.

Its shape and position make it easy to pick out from the water. Watch for the narrow rock tower standing apart from the forested shores.

Coastal Rainforest

Thick forest covers much of Misty Fjords, growing along the shoreline and up the mountainsides. Frequent rain keeps the trees green and feeds the streams and waterfalls throughout the area.

The forest is worth a closer look as you pass. In some places, trees crowd the water’s edge; in others, small groups grow on ledges between stretches of bare rock.

Exploring Misty Fjords on a Shore Excursion

Royal Caribbean offers boat and floatplane excursions to Misty Fjords from Ketchikan. The best fit comes down to what you’d most like to see and how you enjoy spending your time.

Misty Fjords & Wilderness Explorer

Misty Fjords and Wilderness Explorer takes you by boat along Behm Canal toward Rudyerd Bay, passing New Eddystone Rock along the way. Commentary introduces the area’s natural history, and Native storytelling is also part of the experience.

A boat trip gives you time to watch the shoreline and take in the cliffs from below. It’s a good choice if you enjoy scenic cruising and want to spend several hours out on the water.

Keep your camera nearby as the boat moves through the bays. A waterfall or a small stand of trees can be just as interesting to photograph as the whole mountainside.

Misty Fjords Flightseeing

Misty Fjords Flightseeing explores the area in a floatplane, a plane designed to take off and land on water. The excursion includes about 60 minutes in the air, a window seat for each guest and commentary through headsets.

As the plane climbs, you’ll see the waterways spread out below and lakes appear between the mountains. The flight gives you a wider view of how the forest, cliffs and bays fit together.

If you’ve always wanted to see Alaska from the air, this is a chance to make the flight part of your day in Ketchikan.

Why Visit Misty Fjords?

Misty Fjords is a good choice if seeing Alaska’s mountains, forests and waterfalls is high on your vacation wish list. A guided trip brings you into this remote area with most of the sightseeing done from a boat or plane.

You can spend your time taking photos, listening to your guide and watching the landscape change along the way. When planning your Alaska cruise, look for a stop in Ketchikan to include a Misty Fjords outing.