Welcome to Ketchikan Alaska

Ketchikan has the distinction of being both the Southern-most and Eastern-most settlement in Alaska making it the usual first port of call for most cruise ships sailing to Alaska. It is located between the scenic Tsongas Passage and Deer Mountain, only 90 minutes by air from Seattle.

Admiralty Island National Monument
Most of the monument is designated as the Kootznoowoo Wilderness to protect the protect the prolific rainforest vegetation and abundant wildlife, including Grizzley and Black Bears. Many species of salmon, whales, mountain goats, and deer live here.

Tour Tongass Rain Forest
One of the last unspoiled and largest temperate rain forests of the world, the Tongass Rain Forest hugs the North American Coastline from Kodiak Island in Alaska and stretches as far south as Northern California. It is home to the densest biomass on Planet Earth.

Alaska Adventure Tours
Our most Popular Adventure Tour
Choose from one of many tour packages (Keyword Alaska):

Helicopter Tour -
Wildlife Viewing - Whalewatching and more
Glacier Cruise -
Klondike Gold Rush Tour -

With 165 inches of annual precipitation it is one of the wettest places in the world. Located on Revillagigedo Island with waterfrontage to the Tongass Narrows, Ketchikan is a primary port of the Alaska Marine Highway System and fourth largest city in Alaska. Ketchikan is the gateway to explore Southeast Alaska and Misty Fjords National Monument.

Rich in southeast Alaskan culture, it is one of the best places to shop for Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian artwork. As a testimony to their history in the area are over 70 totem poles standing in the vicinity with the different iconographies unique to each trive. You will easily find them all over town - especially in Whale Park on Mission St at the Westmark Cape Fox Lodge.

Points of Interest:

• Historic Creek Street - a piling support wharf and historic district.

• Dolly's House

• Married Men's Trail

• Deer Mountain Tribal Hatchery - 800-252-5158
  1158 Salmon Rd, Ketchikan, AK 99901
  Fish hatchery produces king and silver salmon.

• Totem Heritage Center 225-5900
  601 Deermount st, Ketchikan, AK 99901
  Largest collection of original 19th century Totem Poles in the world. Gift shop and native crafts. Located in City Park. Open Tues-Fri, $3 summer admission - free in winter.

• City Park
  Here Ketchikan Creek splits into ornamental ponds and streams.

• George Inlet Cannery 225-5930

• Totem Bight State Park 247-8574
  Milepost 10 N. Tongass Hwy, Free Admission. This scenic trip takes you thru rain forest to a great stand of Totem Poles overlooking the Tongass Narrows.

• Alaska Eagle Arts Gallery

• Southeast Alaska Visitor Center
  Facility offers a complete overview of the different local tribes and cultures and lessons on totem pole iconography.

• Scanlon Gallery
  318 Mission St, Ketchikan, AK
  Contemporary and native artworks

• Soho Coho
  5 Creek St, Ketchikan, AK
  Shopping attraction and art gallery - local works and outdoor adventure themes.

• Saxman Totem Park 225-4421
  Totem Pole collection located 2.5 miles south of town. Native artisans at work and dancing exhibitions. Call for show and tour info.

• Metlakatla Village 800-770-8800
  Located on nearby Annette Island and accessible only by floatplane. Regular tours include airfare, town tour, dance and salmon bake.

• Misty Fjords National Monument

• Tongass Historical Museum

• Ketchikan Public Library

For more info see the Tour Alaska Guide for Scenic Trails, Fishing and Bird-Watching.

Tour Prince of Wales Island

Located across the Tongass Narrows from Ketchikan is Prince of Wales Island, third largest island in the U.S. and part of the Tongass National Forest. It is accessible by a short ferry or plane ride.

P.W.I. is a Popular Fishing Destination with many good trout and salmon streams.

In 1987, a major network of miles of underground limestone caves was discovered on the island. The US Forest Service is currently conducting annual expeditions to explore and chart these caves, two of which have been opened to the public. This honeycomb network is wet, cold and challenging.

• El Capitan Cave Daily two hour public treks

• Cavern Lake Cave Daily public treks

For more info see the MainTour World Caving Explorer or contact the local ranger station:

Thorne Bay Ranger District 828-3304
1312 USFS Dr., Thorne Bay, AK 99919

Ketchikan Festivals

• Celebration of the Sea [Early May]
  Arts, music, and community events

• King Salmon Derby [Late May] 225-3184
  This event has been running for fifty years.

• Timber Carnival [July 4th]
  Parade, Lumberjack contests, more at Front Street and City Park

• Blueberry Arts Festival [2nd Sun-Aug] 225-2211
  Music, food, crafts

• Winter Arts Faire [1st Sat after Thanksgiving] 225-2211

Ketchikan Alaska Tours
There are exciting several options available to explore the wonders of this area.

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