Ketchikan's totem poles tell stories you won’t find elsewhere

Ketchikan, Alaska, is known as the totem capital of the world and is home to one of the largest collections of standing totem poles anywhere.

Set along the Inside Passage and surrounded by the lush Tongass National Forest, the city offers an immersive introduction to the art, stories, and traditions of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples.

Visitors can explore historic boardwalks, watch salmon run through downtown creeks, and stand beneath cedar monuments that preserve centuries of oral history. Few places in Alaska so seamlessly blend Indigenous culture, dramatic scenery, and small-town charm.

Why Ketchikan matters

Long before Ketchikan became a bustling fishing town and cruise port, the sheltered waterways of Southeast Alaska were home to Indigenous communities whose histories were carved into towering cedar totems. These poles are not relics but living records of family lineage, alliances, and legends.

Today, Ketchikan safeguards one of the world's largest collections of standing totem poles, making it one of the most important places in North America to experience Native art and storytelling. As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Ketchikan also offers a unique glacier-carved wilderness unlike any other.

Despite its northern location, Ketchikan is situated in a temperate rainforest, nestled in the Tongass National Forest.

What to see today

Start at Saxman Totem Park, just south of town, where dozens of intricately carved poles stand beside a traditional clan house. Continue to Totem Bight State Historical Park, where totems rise from a rainforest overlooking the Tongass Narrows.

For the oldest originals, visit Totem Heritage Center, home to preserved 19th-century poles rescued from village sites whose residents moved away for various reasons. Between stops, stroll along Creek Street and watch salmon push upstream through the heart of downtown.

Ask a local

For a classic and locally approved Ketchikan dining experience, stop by New York Cafe.

This longtime waterfront gathering spot has welcomed fishermen, locals, and travelers for generations. Order a bowl of seafood chowder or a hearty breakfast, then settle in by the windows overlooking Thomas Basin, where floatplanes and fishing boats drift past throughout the day.

Plan your visit

• Best time: May through September for cruise season, salmon runs, and mild weather.
• Hours/admission: Totem sites are generally open daily in summer. Some places charge admission.
• Getting there: Accessible by cruise ship, ferry, or plane. Ketchikan has no road connection to the rest of Alaska.
• Learn more: https://www.visitktn.com/