Private Ketchikan City Totems & Wildlife Van Tour: Explore Alaskan Native Culture

Immerse yourself in the rich Alaskan Native culture on a private van tour in Ketchikan. Visit totem parks, beaches, waterfalls, and learn about traditions.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Totem Bight State Historical Park - Totem Bight State Historical Park sheltered
    in a lush, temperate rainforest rich in Native
    history and art, beaches with waterfront
    views, and indigenous plants and animals—it
    is the top pick for visitors and residents alike. you will also visit Potlatch Park next door (Totem Poles, Clan House, Carving Center, Antique Cars, Gun Museum, Shopping) 10 Miles North $5.00 park entrance not included
  • Herring Cove - Herring Cove where you have chance to see my fishing grounds, salmon swimming upstream, eagles are usually abundant and possibly black bears & Seals, (when in season) 8 Miles South
  • Ketchikan Rainbird Trail - offers great views of downtown Ketchikan, the Tongass Narrows, and the neighboring islands beyond.
  • Creek Street - Creek Street is a historic boardwalk perched on pilings along the banks of Ketchikan Creek in Ketchikan, Alaska. A former Red Light District where both men and salmon swam upstream to spawn. It is now a quaint place to tour Dolly’s House museum, view totem poles, shop at locally-owned stores and galleries, enjoy local art and culture. In the summer months salmon gather by the thousands to spawn upstream; seals and otters are never far away with eagles perched in the trees above.
  • Ketchikan - Ketchikan Creek served as a summer fish camp for Tlingit natives for untold years before the town was established by Mike Martin in 1885. He was sent to the area by an Oregon canning company to assess prospects. He established the saltery Clark & Martin and a general store with Nova Scotia native George Clark, who had been foreman at a cannery that burned down.[10]

Ketchikan became known as “Alaska’s first city” due to its strategic position at the southern tip of the Inside Passage, connecting the Gulf of Alaska to Puget Sound.

In 1905 a mission house was built, which in 1909 became the Yates Memorial Hospital. In 2020, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named the former hospital as one of America’s most endangered historic places.

  • Saxman Native Village - Saxman Native Village is known for their collection of Native American Totem Poles, the largest collection of standing Totem Poles in fact, but that’s hardly the end of it! There is a gorgeous Clan House, Native Carving Shed, Gift Shop, a short walk through the rainforest, and active eagles next just across the street. Saxman is one of the top Ketchikan Totem Pole Parks and is a must-see during your visit!
What's Included
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Pick-up and drop-off service upon request
What's Not Included
  • gratuities
Additional Information

Situated at the southmost gate of Alaska’s renowned Inside Passage, Ketchikan, Alaska, truly marks the start of the unspoiled frontier. This passage comprises a multitude of waterways winding through some of the planet’s most spectacularly mesmerizing wilderness. Ketchikan is most famous for its vibrant salmon, picturesque landscapes, and immensely rich Alaskan Native heritage. As Native Americans, we take immense pride in our culture and are eager to impart its richness to you. This tour is completely customizable to suit your group’s preferences. Potential activities may include visits to totem parks, beaches, waterfalls, or going for a hike. Meanwhile, we will enlighten you about our Alaskan Native customs and heritage.

  • we can accommodate a small collapsible wheelchair
Location
Totem Bight State Historical Park
9883 N Tongass Hwy
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(49 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Coastal01497152194
Aug 16, 2024
Having a local tour guide is the way to go. - Art was a great guide. He was very knowledgeable and gave us history lessons only someone born and raised in the area could do. The van was clean and he had water and juice available. He also had extra binoculars to help spot wildlife. He asked us our interests and customized our tour to fit those interests. We saw a lot but he never made us feel rushed. Due to our own time constraints, we had to book a later tour and missed out on one of the museums. I would suggest if a person could book earlier in the day, it would be beneficial to make sure you aren’t going to run into closing time of some sights.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Julie_k
Aug 13, 2024
Good tour by a local who knows his way around. - Art did a great job showing us around Ketchikan. He was friendly and had a lot of good info and neat places to take us.
Review provided by Viator
Sergio_a
Aug 9, 2024
It was a short excursion... - It was a short excursion but we did a lot. We first went to a creek where we saw a couple of black bears fishing and there were also a handful of bald eagles flying around. Then we did a little hiking in a rain forest, went to the beach for a walk and ended up our trip at a totem park. Art, our guide, was very flexible and knowledgeable. His main concern was for us to have fun. Highly recommend his company - Rainy Day Tours
Review provided by Viator
Sherry_h
Aug 9, 2024
Wonderful tour! - Art was a wonderful guide! Very fun trip! He was very knowledgeable about Ketchikan! Loved this tour! Jim and Sherry.
Review provided by Viator
Auslindy
Aug 9, 2024
TOP TOUR & GUIDE - ART was a fantastic tour guide So knowledgeable Very friendly and helpful Best introduction to Ketchikan Booking process very easy Thanks to April in the office
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Melissa_m
Aug 5, 2024
Hidden gems of Ketchikan beautiful!!! - Art was such a great tour guide and he definitely knows his history. He also is to the local salmon shop. Saw a beautiful waterfall and we got to see a bear catch his lunch! Totem poles were beautiful to see. We had a great time and highly recommend this tour!! Thank you Art you were great!
Review provided by Viator
Chrisvander23
Aug 5, 2024
Jason, was a great host... - Jason, was a great host and driver. Made sure we seen what we came for. Love having locals share their experience of the area.
Review provided by Viator
Dawns23
Jul 29, 2024
Falling in love with Ketchikan - WOW! WOW! WOW! This was the highlight of our vacation. Art went above and beyond to make sure we had an Alaskan experience to remember forever! He shared his knowledge with us, his ancestry and his love for Ketchikan. We tried local berries we got to pick ourselves, and he searched for a bear for us. (No luck but we did get to watch three deer chase a runner down the road.) If you are concerned at all about booking off the cruise ship, we highly recommend Art and Rainy Day Tours. If I could give them something bigger than a five star I would. And Art we hope to see you when you come to our neck of the woods. 10 stars!!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Julie_s
Jul 26, 2024
Great personalized tour - Art was fantastic. Great information and customized the tour around our interests. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Jacqueline_h
Jul 25, 2024
Personalized experience - Art was an amazing tour guide. He gave us a lot of local history, he was very knowledgeable and friendly. We were able to tailor our tour to what we wanted to do. We saw a black bear, multiple bald eagles and a waterfall. He showed us what berries were edible and took us to a totem park. Overall it was an excellent and very personlized tour. I would highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 6 guests
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September 2024
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