Ketchikan, USA travel guide

Rainforest, totem poles and salmon running through town

Best time to visit: May-September
Average daily budget: $160 to $280
Ideal trip length: 2 to 3 days

Ketchikan clings to a steep island shoreline in Alaska's Inside Passage, built on boardwalks and pilings over the water. It has the world's largest collection of standing totem poles, one of the wettest climates in North America, and salmon that swim right through the middle of town. Most visitors arrive by cruise ship for a few hours; staying a night or two gets you the version with fewer people in it.

Ketchikan itinerary

Day 1, Get oriented

Morning: Misty Fjords National Monument. Granite cliffs and waterfalls reached by float plane or boat - the single best thing to do here.

Afternoon: Explore Creek Street, A boardwalk of former brothels on stilts above Ketchikan Creek, now shops and small museums.

Evening: Totem Heritage Center. Original 19th-century poles retrieved from abandoned villages, displayed unrestored and indoors.

Day 2, Go deeper

Morning: Creek Street and the salmon ladder. Watch salmon fight upstream from the boardwalk between July and September.

Afternoon: Explore Downtown waterfront, Cruise berths, the visitor centre, seafood restaurants and the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center.

Evening: Deer Mountain Trail. A steep 2.5-mile climb straight out of town for views over the channel.

Day 3, Hidden side

Morning: Saxman Totem Park. The largest standing collection of totem poles in the world, with Tlingit-led tours.

Afternoon: Explore Saxman Village, Two and a half miles south, with a large totem park and a Tlingit carving shed.

Evening: The Married Man's Trail, a mossy staircase path behind Creek Street.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Best neighbourhoods

Creek Street: A boardwalk of former brothels on stilts above Ketchikan Creek, now shops and small museums.
Downtown waterfront: Cruise berths, the visitor centre, seafood restaurants and the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center.
Saxman Village: Two and a half miles south, with a large totem park and a Tlingit carving shed.
Ward Cove / North Tongass: Quieter lodges and trailheads away from the ship crowds.

Must-do experiences

Misty Fjords National Monument: Granite cliffs and waterfalls reached by float plane or boat - the single best thing to do here.
Totem Heritage Center: Original 19th-century poles retrieved from abandoned villages, displayed unrestored and indoors.
Creek Street and the salmon ladder: Watch salmon fight upstream from the boardwalk between July and September.
Deer Mountain Trail: A steep 2.5-mile climb straight out of town for views over the channel.
Saxman Totem Park: The largest standing collection of totem poles in the world, with Tlingit-led tours.

Hidden gems

The Married Man's Trail, a mossy staircase path behind Creek Street.
Rainbird Trail's forest boardwalk above the university campus.
Local catch at the docks in the evening, once the ships have sailed.
Ward Lake loop, an easy rainforest walk almost no visitor sees.

Daily budget

$160 to $280 per day.

What to eat

King and sockeye salmon, grilled or smoked
Dungeness crab straight off the boat
Halibut fish and chips on the waterfront
Spot prawns in season
Alaskan brews at a local taproom

Getting around

Downtown is walkable and the Saxman bus is cheap. There is no road connection to the rest of Alaska - you arrive by plane, ferry or cruise ship. A short airport ferry crosses the channel. Float planes cover everything beyond the road system.

Safety

Very safe town. Real risks are weather-related: it rains over 150 inches a year, so waterproofs are essential, and float-plane flights cancel often. Bears are present on trails outside town - make noise and carry spray.

Frequently asked questions

What is Ketchikan best known for?

The world's largest collection of standing totem poles, Creek Street's boardwalk built over the water, salmon fishing, and as the gateway to Misty Fjords National Monument.

How many days do you need in Ketchikan?

Two days lets you see the totem parks and Creek Street plus one full excursion to Misty Fjords. Cruise passengers usually get 6 to 8 hours, which is enough for town plus one short tour.

When is the best time to visit Ketchikan?

May to September. July and August have the warmest weather and peak salmon runs but the most cruise traffic. May and September are quieter with slightly better odds of clear skies.

Does it always rain in Ketchikan?

Close to it - the town averages over 150 inches a year and locals call it liquid sunshine. Bring proper waterproofs and rubber boots rather than hoping for dry days.

How do you get to Ketchikan?

There is no road in. Alaska Airlines flies from Seattle in under two hours, the Alaska Marine Highway ferry connects from Bellingham and other Southeast towns, and most visitors arrive by cruise ship.

Is Misty Fjords worth the cost?

Yes, if the weather cooperates. A float-plane flight runs roughly $250 to $400 and delivers views you cannot get any other way. Boat tours cost less but take much longer.

Can you see salmon in Ketchikan?

Yes. From roughly July through September salmon run up Ketchikan Creek right through downtown, and you can watch them from the Creek Street boardwalk and the fish ladder for free.

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