KetchikanAlaska - Ketchikan Visitors Bureau

Native Culture
Day One: Visit local attractions for an
introduction to the area’s indigenous
peoples. The Southeast Alaska
Discovery Center’s Native Traditions
room, the Tongass Historical Museum,
the Totem Heritage Center, and the
Deer Mountain Tribal Hatchery and
Eagle Center offer insight about our
native residents. Take a walk through
downtown to see examples of totem
poles; locations are noted on the
walking tour map available at the
Ketchikan Visitors Bureau.
Day Two: Take an organized or selfguided
tour to Totem Bight State Park
and to Saxman Native Village. Both
parks feature clan houses and large
collections of poles. Saxman’s carving
shed allows visitors to watch master
carvers and their apprentices practice
their craft near the clan house where
Native dance performances are held.
Day Three: Fly or ferry to Metlakatla,
the only Indian reservation in the
state, and home to the Tsimshian
tribe. Activities include Native dance
performances, artist demonstrations,
refreshments and a community tour.
Natural Wonders
Day One: Visit Misty Fjords National
Monument, where retreating glaciers
have carved what many refer to as a
northern equivalent of the Grand
Canyon. Tour by boat, plane or both.
Day Two: On Prince of Wales Island,
El Capitan Cave is part of a vast karst
network discovered just over a
decade ago. Artifacts show evidence
42
Itineraries
of human occupancy over 9,500 years
ago and grizzly bear bones dated
30,000 years old. Managed by the U.S.
Forest Service, guided tours can be
arranged in advance.
Day Three: Consider a kayaking excursion
along the shores of neighboring
islands, or a day hike on one of Ketchikan’s
local trails. Deer Mountain offers
breathtaking views of Ketchikan and
the surrounding area, while other
trails lead to the solitude of backcountry
lakes or through the massive
Tongass Forest.
Options: Glaciers can be viewed near
Wrangell and Petersburg to the
north; or near Hyder, Alaska, located
on the mainland adjacent to British
Columbia.
Sportfishing
Day One: Book a space on one of
the area’s many guided charter boats.
You’ll get a feel for the species available
during your visit and pick up tips
for the pros.
Day Two through Four: Consider a
remote fishing adventure selecting
from one of the area’s lodges, resorts
or chartered yachts. Many offer both
salt and freshwater expeditions. Most
packages provide lodging, guided
fishing or boats for your use, meals
and processing of your catch.
Options: Charter a plane and guide,
and head to one of the local lakes
to try your luck at fishing for Dolly
Varden, Rainbow or Cutthroat trout.
Steelhead fishing is also available
in Ketchikan and on Prince of
Wales Island.