Ketchikan

State: Alaska. Type: coastal city and cruise port, nicknamed 'Alaska's First City' and self-described 'Salmon Capital of the World.' Located on Revillagigedo Island in the Inside Passage. Population about 8,192 at the 2020 census, Alaska's sixth-most populous city. Incorporated August 25, 1900, making it the earliest continuously incorporated city in Alaska. Not connected to the road system.

Ketchikan sits on the steep, rainforest-covered slopes of Revillagigedo Island in Southeast Alaska's Inside Passage, its downtown strung out along the waterfront because there is simply not much flat ground to build on. The town grew up around salmon canning and timber, and both industries still shape its identity even as tourism, especially cruise ship traffic, has become central to the local economy. Ketchikan is probably best known for its Alaska Native heritage, expressed through one of the world's largest collections of standing totem poles, and for Creek Street, a historic boardwalk built on pilings over Ketchikan Creek that once anchored the town's red-light district and today houses shops and galleries. With no road connecting it to the rest of Alaska, every visitor arrives by plane, ferry, or ship, which keeps the town's character tied closely to the water.

Ketchikan is located on Revillagigedo Island in the Alexander Archipelago of Southeast Alaska, part of the Inside Passage. According to Wikipedia, it sits roughly 700 miles northwest of Seattle and about 235 miles southeast of Juneau. The terrain is steep and heavily forested, so the city is built as a narrow strip along the shoreline rather than spreading inland. Ketchikan International Airport is located across the water on Gravina Island and connected to downtown by a short ferry crossing.

Ketchikan has a wet, mild maritime climate and is sometimes nicknamed the 'Rain Capital of Alaska.' Wikipedia puts average annual rainfall at roughly 150 inches, with a record of over 200 inches recorded in 1949, while Travel Alaska cites a slightly higher long-term average around 162 inches; either way, expect frequent rain across all seasons. Because of the surrounding rainforest and marine influence, temperatures are milder than much of interior Alaska, but conditions change quickly, so layered, waterproof clothing is recommended year-round.

May through September is peak season, coinciding with the main cruise ship calendar and the operating season for most tours, fishing charters, and flightseeing trips. Shoulder months such as May and September can mean fewer crowds, though weather is less predictable outside the summer core. Given the near-constant rain, there is no truly dry season to plan around, so timing mostly comes down to which activities and tour availability matter most to you.

Ketchikan's modern founding dates to 1885, when Oregon cannery representative Mike Martin purchased land from Tlingit leader Chief Kyan and, together with a partner, established a saltery that grew into the town's first cannery the following year. The area sits on Tlingit land the local community calls Kichxaan, with a documented Indigenous presence going back thousands of years before the cannery era. Salmon canning and timber drove rapid growth through the early 20th century; by the mid-1930s the town supported multiple canneries producing well over a million cases of salmon a year. Ketchikan officially incorporated on August 25, 1900, making it, according to Wikipedia, the earliest continuously incorporated city in the state. Timber remained a major employer for decades, including a large pulp mill that operated from the 1950s until its closure in the late 1990s following federal timber policy changes, after which tourism grew to fill much of the economic gap.

Walking Creek Street, the boardwalk built on pilings over Ketchikan Creek, is a classic first stop, including a look at the Dolly's House museum in a former brothel. Ketchikan's Alaska Native heritage can be explored at the Totem Heritage Center, Totem Bight State Historical Park, and Saxman Native Village, all showcasing Tlingit and Haida totem pole carving traditions. Outdoor options include salmon and halibut fishing charters, sea kayaking, and wildlife viewing; the island has black bears (no grizzlies, according to local wildlife guides) that can sometimes be seen fishing for salmon in season. Flightseeing trips over Misty Fjords National Monument are a popular way to see the surrounding wilderness, and the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center and Tongass Historical Museum offer indoor context on the region's natural and cultural history.

Creek Street and its historic boardwalk shops are the most-photographed spot downtown. The Totem Heritage Center preserves one of the largest collections of original 19th-century totem poles, while Totem Bight State Historical Park and Saxman Native Village offer additional totem viewing with Tlingit cultural context. Misty Fjords National Monument, a roughly 2.3-million-acre wilderness of sea cliffs and fjords administered by the U.S. Forest Service, is reachable by boat or floatplane and is one of the region's signature natural landmarks. The Southeast Alaska Discovery Center, run by the Forest Service as an Alaska Public Lands Information Center, is a good starting point for trip planning and exhibits on the Tongass National Forest.

Ketchikan has no road connection to the rest of Alaska or North America. Alaska Airlines runs daily flights to Ketchikan International Airport from Seattle (about two hours) and Juneau (under an hour), according to Alaska.org. The Alaska Marine Highway ferry system also serves the town, and cruise ships on Inside Passage itineraries make Ketchikan one of their most common stops. Because the airport sits across the water on Gravina Island, arriving flyers take a short ferry crossing to reach downtown.

Hours vary widely by attraction and season; for example, the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center's summer hours and the Ketchikan airport ferry's daily schedule both shift between summer and winter. Confirm current hours for any specific site or tour directly with the operator or visitkn.com before visiting.

Many of Ketchikan's outdoor sights, including Creek Street and the totem parks, are free to walk through. Ticketed sites vary: the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center has charged a modest per-person fee during its summer season in recent years, with free admission in the off-season. The airport ferry to downtown charges a small one-way passenger fare. Confirm current prices before your visit, as they change.

One to three days is typical: cruise passengers often see the highlights in a single day in port, while independent travelers wanting to add fishing, flightseeing, or Misty Fjords time may prefer two to three days.

Ketchikan has a range of downtown hotels, inns, and bed-and-breakfasts geared toward both cruise passengers and independent travelers, along with lodges oriented around fishing trips. Because cruise season brings heavy demand, booking ahead for summer visits is worthwhile. Detailed current listings and availability are best checked through the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau site.

As a self-described Salmon Capital of the World, Ketchikan's dining scene leans heavily on fresh seafood, with numerous restaurants and cafes downtown serving salmon, halibut, and other local catches. Tongass Trading Company, a general store rather than a restaurant, has operated continuously since 1898 and is a notable piece of the town's commercial history. For current restaurant recommendations and hours, the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau's dining listings are the most reliable up-to-date source.

Misty Fjords National Monument is the standout nearby destination, reachable by boat or floatplane for day trips. Prince of Wales Island, one of the largest islands in the U.S. and reachable by ferry, offers a quieter, more rural side of the Tongass National Forest. Saxman and Totem Bight, just outside downtown, are easy add-ons for more totem viewing, and the wider Tongass National Forest surrounds the entire area.

Ketchikan International Airport, on Gravina Island, is the main air gateway, connected to downtown by a roughly five-minute airport ferry that runs on a set schedule with separate passenger and vehicle fares. The Alaska Marine Highway ferry terminal also serves the town. Within Ketchikan, a seasonal local bus system operates May through September, and downtown itself is compact and walkable.

Ketchikan's only bears are black bears; there are no grizzlies on Revillagigedo Island according to local wildlife guides, but standard bear-awareness practices, keeping distance and never feeding wildlife, still apply. Rain gear is essential regardless of season given the town's very high average rainfall. If planning the airport ferry or Alaska Marine Highway connections, build in extra time in case of weather-related schedule changes.

Waterproof outer layers and sturdy waterproof footwear are close to essential given Ketchikan's frequent rain. Binoculars or a zoom lens help with both totem-pole details and wildlife viewing. Cash is useful for smaller vendors, water taxis, and the airport ferry.

Pack for rain no matter what time of year you visit; locals sometimes call it 'liquid sunshine' and often skip umbrellas in favor of layers. Book popular fishing charters, bear-viewing trips, or flightseeing tours ahead of time in peak cruise season, since capacity is limited. Give yourself extra time for the airport ferry connection if you have a flight to catch. Early mornings are a good time to enjoy Creek Street before cruise ship crowds arrive.

911 is the nationwide emergency number in the United States. For non-emergency questions about the Ketchikan Gateway Borough's airport ferry service, the borough can be reached at 907-228-6625 (source: borough.ketchikan.ak.us).

Ketchikan Visitors Bureau: https://www.visitktn.com/

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.