Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Totem Bight State Historical Park

    4.3 (24 reviews)
    Closed 6:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Totem Bight State Historical Park Photos

    More like Totem Bight State Historical Park

    Recommended Reviews - Totem Bight State Historical Park

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Margaret P.

    While on our cruise, we opted out of buying this excursion and decided to DIY it. As soon as we got off, we hailed a taxi and made our way to this park. The taxi was about $40 each way plus $5 entrance fee. We definitely saved some money alone just by doing this. The con was that we were not able to get the education portion of it, but they did have plenty of signs to read along the route. This is a great easy walk through park, passing by tons of beautiful totems, each with a story. A great spot to check out if you make it to Ketchikan!

    Cat A.

    Beautiful park with impressive totems. Came with a guide who was very knowledgeable on the subject matter. Glad to have guide, otherwise the tour would have been just "okay".

    One of 14 totem poles throughout the park.
    Seth A.

    Totem Bight State Historical Park sits 10 miles northwest from the downtown Ketchikan area. It's a casual and quiet place to visit for an hour or so. If you are arriving in Ketchikan for the day by cruise ship, I would NOT suggest making the effort to come here for your day excursion. I believe there are more worthwhile ways to explore Ketchikan, unless you're a real fan of totem poles. I was in Ketchikan for 3 full days and had a rental car with me so Totem Bight was worth the drive to go check out. It's $5 entry fee per person for which you fill out a slip and drop payment at a fee station. Then you have a simple paved and boardwalk pathway (less than 1 mile) through an 11 acre old growth rainforest to see 14 totem poles. Also, interestingly I guess you could say, your $5 entrance fee purchase is only good for a 1 hour time limit visit! Why is that? I don't know. But it forced me to check my watch occasionally to ensure I didn't exceed 60 minutes. Also, upon arriving, I initially drove past the parking lot section reserved for cars. When I realized I was now in the lot arranged for RV's and tour buses, I turned my car back towards the area afforded to cars which was basically entering One-Way traffic the wrong way. After exiting my car, a park ranger fast approached me and introduced himself. I got the point. I was lazy in the moment instead of making a full 360 U-turn back onto North Tongass Highway and reentering the proper way. I said sorry to the ranger and admitted fault before he could hand me a citation, because I could sense it was coming if I wasn't apologetic. And all this while it was drizzling outside and I could have been the only visitor in the park at the time. Alright, lesson learned. My mistake. Regardless of the confrontation with the park ranger, the walk through the rainforest was pleasant. Even on a dreary day, Totem Bight made for a good way to escape the stress of the crowded downtown cruise ship port area of Ketchikan. Totem Bight sits along the rugged coast of the Tongass Narrows. I'd describe the setting as a peaceful sanctuary paying homage to the indigenous Tlingit and Haida peoples of Southeast Alaska. The totem poles were vibrant and statuesque. A lot of them good for picture taking, if you'd like. Halfway through the walking tour is the Clan House, offering an "inside look at Alaska Native culture and history" according to travelalaska.com, which is a worthwhile website providing detailed information on Totem Bight Park. For a brief 1 hour visit, Totem Bight State Historical Park is a fine park for getting up close to and learning the historical significance behind locally handcrafted totem poles. It's not so thrilling, but is good for breaking away from too much time spent in the downtown cruise port section of Ketchikan. Next activity from here, you can drive 5 miles away to Perseverance Lake Trail for hiking and spending more time in nature.

    Dan R.

    "Cause your love, is better Than any love I know It's like thunder, lightning The way you love me is frightening Oh you better knock, knock, on wood" (David Bowie) If you are a fan of totem poles, you'll go bonkers over the fourteen wood totem poles that are scattered around the Totem Bight State Historical Park. They honor symbols of Tlingit Indian mythology and legend, so you'll see poles with images of a Thunderbird killing a whale, a brave wearing a Bear Hat,. a raven, a sea monster, and a halibut among other symbols. The poles are intricately detailed and hand carved, and are quite breathtaking. The park is also the home of a Clan House that would be home to 30-50 Indians. Each family had its oen sector of the house, and shared the common fireplace in the center of the room. There were built in hiding spaces under the floor planks, so the families could store their family possessions and heirlooms. This is a very enjoyable park to stroll around in and enjoy the history of the area's Native People.

    sneaky bear
    Andrew H.

    I have tried over and over and over again to get Yelp to merge these two pages into one. It makes zero sense why there are two pages, with exactly the same location info, for the same place. Anyway, here's a copy and paste from my other Totem Bight review: Great little park to sit by the ocean and have a picnic, drink a beer, or both! They have a great selection of totems, although not as great as the ones in Sitka, I would argue! Most of the negative reviews seem to be folks that took a special trip here from their cruise ship...I could see it maybe not being worth it in that context. But if you're staying in town for a few days, it's worth taking a long urban hike, or a cheap city bus, out to this park. It's not enormous. If you ran, you could blaze through all the official trail in 5-10 minutes. But this is a place you sit and soak in. There are fantastic saltwater views. This the perfect place for a picnic! Some great totems here too. Although, I gotta be honest, I like the totem park in Sitka much more, personally.

    Ariana K.

    Alaskan Cruise Adventure! Honestly, I wasn't too impressed with this excursion. The tour guide was good and super informative. But it just felt really really dragged out. This tour could have been so much shorter and given us more time to check out the town. I recommend if you want to check out Totem Park, to just do it on your own so you can go as fast or slow as you want.

    Clan house
    Brittney K.

    Recommend coming here on your own instead of doing a shore excursion with a cruise line to save both time and money! We visited during our quick stop at the port in Ketchikan and still had plenty of time to see other attractions and walk around the city before having to jump back onto the ship. Our time in Ketchikan was limited, so we flew off the ship as soon as we got in after 7am - thankfully, many things open early to cater to tourists. We were able to grab the city bus (Silver Lake North) from a short walk down from the cruise ship berths. The stop is located under Aisha Jewelers, which is across the street from the large Tongass Dock Store. You can check the online schedule to see when the bus is supposed to arrive next - ours was a few minutes late, so don't walk away too soon! You need exact change and it's $2/person for a one-way ride to Totem Bight, taking less than 30 minutes. We were the only people there when we arrived, apart from the rangers. There's a $5/person entry fee and the ranger will give you a map for a self-guided tour of the totems. It seems like they offer guided tours as well, as we saw large groups arriving on tour buses, but the self-guided tour and map were sufficient for our needs, and we were able to make our way around at our own pace and much faster than any of the groups that came after us. There are about 14 various totems to see in the park, as well as a clan house and totem restoration area. The totems were very cool and the map had a brief description of each. It was a bit disappointing that they were all replicas and not as old as expected, though it makes sense as they are extremely exposed to the elements (of course, it was raining that day). The park itself is not large and walking the main trail took only about an hour. There is a gift shop farther up the road, though it is not actually affiliated with the park. After finishing, we waited for the city bus again (Silver Lake South this time) back to the downtown area. You can then use the free downtown shuttle to get around or just walk since the other attractions aren't too far away from each other. Overall, it was an inexpensive and nice stop while in Ketchikan!

    Totem

    Outstanding park. Bring cash as it was self service payment. Take the bus here and back - no need to book a tour. Hourly busses, and if you spend more than an hour here you moved slowly or are truly a photography addict. Superb displays of totem poles as well as restoration efforts. Awesome views of the coastline

    Found a Huge banana slug
    Tammy H.

    As part of our Cruise Shore excursion we got to visit this park. AWESOME! Our guide was so informative! The land is so pretty and serene. There is so much to learn from the First Nations. The totems are beautiful and the stories are wonderful. I would go again. This is a MUST SEE when visiting Ketchikan!

    eagle totem
    Aimee K.

    Very interesting tour and history of totems. We didn't know much about them so the detailed information was welcome. The more you learn, the more interesting they become. Good overview of Alaskan Native American culture. Authentic totems, clan house and a carving shed all located in Tongass National Forrest; a breathtaking rainforest and beach with tide pools.

    Totem

    Beautiful park on the water. Really cool totems with informatiinal placards along the way. $5 entrance fee. Restrooms available. Takes about an hour meandering through the park taking pics. Don't pay for a tour. Take the silver line north (use app to buy day pass for $5) and enjoy!

    From Ketchikan, take silver bus north from the stop just under the Jewelry Land in this pic (located on Front Street). Bus is $2 RT.

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 17
    Thanks 6
    Love this 16
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Seth A.
    46
    1080
    9660

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 10
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Andrew H.
    2614
    3059
    13118

    4 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 0
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Wendy C.
    0
    511
    43

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ariana K.
    3575
    1135
    4975

    8 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 0
    Love this 10
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tara M.
    0
    275
    0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Vincent W.
    10
    380
    1124

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Cora W.
    1
    339
    317

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Neil H.
    116
    36
    20

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 24
    Thanks 0
    Love this 24
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Totem Bight State Historical Park

    Why is this place listed twice on Yelp?

    It's been corrected

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Totem Bight State Historical Park

    There are about 15 totem poles, all of them beautifully crafted in the twentieth century, along with the clan house.

    Mentioned in 6 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    Creek Street

    Creek Street

    4.5(51 reviews)
    7.4 mi

    We absolutely loved Creek Street! It was an easy, convenient walk from the cruise ship port, and…read moreeven though it rained all day, we still had a blast exploring the shops and taking in the beautiful creekside views. The whole area has such a fun, vintage feel, with so many unique little stores and photo spots. We highly recommend checking out Dolly's House, which also gives some great history about the area and how it helped preserve its character. There is also a free town trolley that can take you around, with pickup near the museum. We found some of the most unique gifts and souvenirs here. Definitely worth visiting for an afternoon walk, shopping, and great photos!

    Creek street is where all the action is. While standing at the bridge, I saw a seal but could not…read moreget my husband's attention get a picture of it cruising up the creek. It was so graceful and beautiful to watch. The street is one of Ketchikan's most famous attractions. It has a wooden boardwalk that sits on stilts above the water that winds its way past colorful shops and homes. Today, the street is full of shops selling souvenirs, handmade goods, and other one-of-a-kind, Alaskan-made wares. It was once the red-light district. Don't miss Dolly's House - a former "house of ill repute," which is now a museum dedicated to what Creek Street used to be. Be sure to check out the salmon run and ladder near the end of Married Man's Trail, where you can watch salmon swimming upstream. Unfortunately, we were too early in the season to see any salmon. It's a great place for photos.

    Photos
    Creek Street
    Creek Street
    Creek Street

    See all

    Southeast Alaska Discovery Center - Museum

    Southeast Alaska Discovery Center

    4.1(15 reviews)
    7.5 mi

    June, 2025. My husband and I loved our visit to Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, a collaboration…read morebetween the US Forest Service and Alaska parks on the Tongass National Forest. We spent about two hours in the center, but easily could have spent more. There are interesting cultural and ecological displays spread over two floors -- in well laid out and open display areas. There is also extensive programming, both with Ranger Programs and regular films in the comfortable theater. We particularly enjoyed watching two Native artists -- one putting finishing touches on an oil painting and the other painting a symbolic paddle. Youngsters can participate in the Junior Rangers Program. I was able to get a stamp in my National Parks Passport though technically this isn't a national park, and to buy a refrigerator magnet souvenir. Summer admission is $5 for those aged 16 and above; free for those 15 and younger. Tip: if you have a National Parks pass, it's accepted at the Discovery Center so don't leave it at home in Virginia! The Discovery Center is an easy walk from the cruise terminal, as well as the Creek Street area, but doesn't have the crowds of either.

    The website for Southeast Alaska Discovery Center states that "...this USDA Forest Service managed…read morecenter serves as a gateway to the Tongass National Forest, the largest National Forest in the United States." The museum is located just a street away from where the Ruby Princess was docked. Inside were informative exhibits and artifacts. And, with our America The Beautiful Annual Park Pass, we bypassed the entrance fee. Plus, we got a stamp for our National Parks Passport even though it's not a National Park. Pretty neat visit, especially getting to see totem poles not worn out by the weather.

    Photos
    Southeast Alaska Discovery Center
    Southeast Alaska Discovery Center
    Southeast Alaska Discovery Center

    See all

    Potlatch Totem Park

    Potlatch Totem Park

    4.0(9 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    This park was covered as part of the tour we purchased onshore, I assume it's included as part of…read morethe cruise ship offered tours as well but it's always cheaper to buy a tour directly off the ship. Park is decent sized with several totem poles, a totem pole carving workshop, native clan houses, some vintage cars and a gift shop. Due to the abundant rain Ketchikan is blessed with, this park is covered in lush greenery. You definitely need a guide to help explain the history behind the totem poles, the clan houses and all the other stories. On the whole it will take less than an hour to cover the entire park. The gift store is great as well and surprisingly very reasonably priced compared to the other touristy places. They had several totem poles in various sizes on sale in addition to the regular tourist store items.

    With a knowledgeable guide, we came here as part of a cruise tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable…read moreexplaining the meanings of the totem symbols, such as the Eagle versus the Raven. A potlatch is a ceremonial gathering, like a big party, and the clan's totem pole shows how many potlatches they have been involved with. Enjoyed seeing the small circular doors to the living quarters that would force any unwelcome visitors to stoop down to get through the opening - allowing them to be easily attacked. There is a large gift shop, and a clan house. We did not see any old cars but possibly our guide simply omitted that part of the tour. Those coming without a guide are at a bit of a disadvantage, as I could see no interpretive displays near the totem poles explaining what you were seeing. This is also a cruise ship destination and there were numerous cruise ship groups tramping through the park along with us, affecting the experience. Lots of delays as we had to wait for several groups to clear out before we could go onto the next part of the tour. The crowds also made taking photographs difficult.

    Photos
    Potlatch Totem Park
    Potlatch Totem Park
    Potlatch Totem Park  - Gift shop

    See all

    Gift shop

    City of Ketchikan - At the end of the Lumberjack Show, you can get a photo with the crew.

    City of Ketchikan

    3.9(18 reviews)
    7.4 mi

    You step right off the cruise ship right into Ketchikan. The tiny city of Ketchikan is enchanting…read more Ketchikan welcomes visitors to southeastern Alaska's Inside Passage. It is just three miles long and three blocks wide, but here you will find a very busy waterfront with boat planes, fishing boats, pleasure crafts, and fishermen. Ketchikan is a thriving fishing town with colorful houses steeped in Alaskan culture. Some of the best seafood is found here. Ketchikan is the self-proclaimed salmon capital of the world. Catch the free shuttle bus and see the town.

    The city of Ketchikan was our first stop on our Alaska trip aboard the NCL Joy. Fun fact: Ketchikan…read moreis Alaska's very first city the oldest incorporated community in the state. And in addition to that, it's also known as the Salmon Capital of the World... and trust me, they definitely have salmon here. There's a lot of history and charm in this town... but unfortunately, our visit didn't quite let that shine. It was raining nonstop, it was very cold, and the road construction situation was wild (combined with there being 6 cruise ships docked at once). Getting anywhere felt like an obstacle course. The town is tiny and it is made mostly of cruise-run souvenir retail and jewelry shops (tourist trap energy was strong), plus the salmon hatcheries. My husband, said he felt like he spent his entire time there chasing salmon. To be fair, seeing that many salmon up close was cool and something we don't see at home. He also mentioned he used to come here often when he worked on cruise ships, and according to him, Ketchikan hasn't changed one bit in 15 years... maybe just got a little more aged. Now, here's where it gets tricky: the port where NCL docks (ward cove) is so very far away from downtown Ketchikan. We were on the Joy, but the Encore passengers were telling us they had to catch their last shuttle back at 11am to get back to their ship from downtown. Meanwhile, the last shuttle from downtown to the ship for us was 3:30pm - yay that this shuttle was free. For anyone coming here on a cruise especially especially NCL, I highly recommend booking a tour to make the most of your visit (before you get off the ship-this port was extremely busy and a lot of the tour operators had booked out) especially if your stop is short and you want to get outside the crowded downtown loop to see totem park and herring cove. Just maybe not the tour we went on. I'll post that review separately so you know exactly which one to avoid. If you're specifically here for wildlife, I honestly think the other Alaska ports have much better offerings. Ketchikan has salmon (endless salmon), but for anything else, the other Alaska towns deliver more variety and better viewing experiences.

    Photos
    City of Ketchikan - The corner of Downtown Ketchikan.

    The corner of Downtown Ketchikan.

    City of Ketchikan - Thundering Bird Statue

    Thundering Bird Statue

    City of Ketchikan - This Ketchikan Sign highlights points of interest around town.

    See all

    This Ketchikan Sign highlights points of interest around town.

    Ketchikan Visitors Bureau - Visitor's Center

    Ketchikan Visitors Bureau

    3.8(8 reviews)
    7.4 mi

    It's very small, but the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau is definitely worth a quick visit, especially if…read moreyou're coming in on a cruise. It's pretty clear they cater to cruise ship passengers, and they're always very helpful and eager to answer any questions. They've got lots of info on local tours, shops, restaurants, and attractions, so it's a great place to get your bearings when you first arrive. One of the best things to grab is a city map. Ketchikan isn't very big, but they offer some easy self-guided walking tours that make exploring a lot more fun. Plus, there's just something nice about having a paper map in hand. It's practical and makes for a great little souvenir afterward. The staff are always friendly and easy to chat with, and over the years, they've pointed us toward a few things we might've missed otherwise. There's also a wide range of brochures you can flip through if you want to plan on the spot. They have free restrooms and an ATM on site, too. If you're looking to book something last minute, their Tour Center (open May through September) is a really convenient option for same-day tours. They also have visitor centers at Berth 2 (open year-round) and Berth 3 (seasonal), so you'll likely run into one no matter how you arrive. Overall, it's a great and helpful first stop to help you make the most of your time in Ketchikan.

    As you step off the cruise ship, the Visitors Bureau is right there for you. Stop in and ask any of…read moreyour questions about Ketchikan. They have a lot of information on the indigenous heritage and the impact of the fishing industry. Explore exhibits that showcase artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays detailing Ketchikan's evolution over the years. You will walk away with a newfound appreciation for the rich history that has shaped this charming Alaskan city.

    Photos
    Ketchikan Visitors Bureau
    Ketchikan Visitors Bureau - Circle of Life Statue in Visitor's Center

    Circle of Life Statue in Visitor's Center

    Ketchikan Visitors Bureau

    See all

    Hump Island Oyster Company

    Hump Island Oyster Company

    5.0(5 reviews)
    7.3 mi

    We did a tour of the farm and it was amazing! So informative and fun. Makes you really appreciate…read morehow much goes into the process. I now know starfish are evil oyster killers! :-) The oysters at the bar at the end of the tour were absolutely amazing.

    Our family was coming in from our NCL cruise and I knew I wanted to support local with our…read moreexperience. My husband and I are avid oyster lovers and when I saw this as an excursion choice I knew we had to go! Pick-up from the dock was easy and since we were the first tour, it was just us and one other person! Everyone from our driver, the capt, and staff at Hump Island were so welcoming, friendly, and informative about the area. With our group being so small, it felt more intimate and enjoyable. Our boat ride was great to and from Hump Island because our captain made sure to show us around and we were able to catch glimpses of bald eagles and whales! Once we arrived to Hump Island Oyster Co we were greeted and given such detail about the process at the farm. Our kids got to enjoy their touch tank and even spotted some jellyfish! Once upstairs, we enjoyed raw and charbroiled oysters along with some amazing salsas and sauces. The whole experience reminded my husband and I of that of wine tasting, but with oysters. Conversation flowed and the laid back atmosphere was comfortable and enjoyable. It was magical being in this part of Alaska and enjoying fresh oysters shucked right in front of us and grown right there. Thank you, Hump Island Oyster Co! We look forward to making our way back in the future and can't recommend this tour enough to others on cruises or visiting Ketchikan!

    Photos
    Hump Island Oyster Company - A basket of farmed  oysters that are 4 to 5 years old, covered with mussels and other sea life.

    A basket of farmed oysters that are 4 to 5 years old, covered with mussels and other sea life.

    Hump Island Oyster Company
    Hump Island Oyster Company

    See all

    Totem Bight State Historical Park - landmarks - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...