Along the American and Canadian Pacific coastline is one of the world’s most outstanding temperate rainforests. It defies the conventional ideas of what a rainforest is – a forest in the tropics with brightly colored animals and plants – but it does, nevertheless, fit the definition of a rainforest. It is a forest that receives a significant amount of rainfall in a year, and it has plant life that is unique to the forest region. Temperate rainforests are also close to the ocean.

The Pacific Northwest Temperate Rainforest

The rainforest that runs through the Pacific Northwest is the largest temperate rainforest in the world. The rainforest runs from central California to mid-Alaska. It is the home of the awe-inspiring redwood trees, as well as evergreens that are unique to the region. It is considered the last true wilderness region in the United States and the Pacific Coast.

Americans who wish to visit the Canadian sections of the rainforest currently do not need a passport, although it is recommended. Crossing the American-Canadian border has gotten stricter since the September 11 attacks. Having a passport makes the border crossing easier. If that is not possible, photo identification and birth certificates should be in the traveler’s possession.

Tours and Excursions

There are a number of tours or excursions to be taken in the Pacific Northwest temperate rainforests. One is to take visitors through the Pacific Northwest Evergreen Circle. This excursion takes place in Oregon, Washington, and Vancouver, beginning in Portland. It takes tourists to Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens, along the Columbia River, by the Washington coastline, to Olympic National Park in British Columbia, finally ending in Seattle, Washington.

For those who wish to venture farther north, there are tours of the Alaskan rainforests. It is home to an ecosystem that is more rare and unique than anything that can be found in a tropical rainforest. In the rainforest’s rivers, there are salmon and steelhead trout. In the nearby ocean are whales and sea lions. The Alaskan rainforest is a haven for sportsmen who enjoy fishing and hunting. There are tours geared especially for those who want to try big game hunting for bears and other large mammals.