Totem Bight State Historical Park
Totem Bight State Historical Park
4.5
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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See what travelers are saying
- Margie WLamar, Missouri7 contributionsNice Economical ExcursionI was on a cruise and decided to explore on my own. I caught the silverline public bus across the street in front of the Alaska Coffee Company for $2.00 each way (exact cash). The park had a machine to pay $5.00 for the park entry. The paths to the totems were gorgeous. The totem poles, clan house, and general area were interesting. It is a small park. We were able to see the park and be back for the bus in one hour. I am glad I did not pay for a tour. I road the bus back to the cruise port but went past the port and got off at Creek Street and walked around. The short walk to port was then down hill and easy. It was a nice trip.Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 24, 2024
- David WManchester, United Kingdom23 contributionsSmall but interesting siteOnly a $2 bus ride from Ketchikan. A small site ($5 entrance fee (6/24)) but in an idyllic cove type setting. About an hour is probably sufficient there, unless you take a picnic, which would be worth doing. Numerous totem poles and a clan house set along a compacted path way, suitable for disabled access, with interesting info boards.Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 2, 2024
- Buajar11 contributionsAmazing experienceTotem park is beautiful and worth visiting. But please do not take tours, as its far more expensive and you will have 50 people in front of you when trying to see the place. Go on your own, we took a public bus right in front of our cruise ship or go to downtown on a free bus and catch a public bus silverline, leaves every 20ish minute every hour. The bus is almost empty at all times and it drops you right in front of the park and picks up 7 mins after each hour exactly at the same location. for four of us the total cost was $30 including entrance tickets and ride back on the bus. When we got there, tours were almost completing and we had the whole place to ourselves. one hour was sufficient so we took the bus back that came an hour later. Definitely recommend this place for a visitVisited June 2024Traveled with familyWritten July 2, 2024
- Carol58aBlacktown, Australia700 contributionsTotem Bight Historical Park is interestingWe enjoyed our time here. We were taken throughout the park and our tour guide told us all about the history of the village and the totems. If you're lucky whilst there, you might even see a whale. We did.Visited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten July 9, 2024
- mari_reysLos Angeles, California310 contributionsDo self tourNo need for tour excursion , you can do this on your own and cheaper. Just take the public bus ($2 fee) from the port and entrance fee is $5 per person. 1 hour is enough to stay at the park. Make sure do not miss the next bus pick up, as it only comes every hour. We only had 5 hours in Ketchikan and we did this early and then walked to Creek Street before embarkation( Carnival Luminosa)Visited July 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 4, 2024
- LLiberty4Austin, Texas29 contributionsBeautiful Totem PolesI would not as highly recommend this park without a knowledgeable tour guide. I am giving this park a 5 due to the guide! The path in the park is easily accessible for anyone. The park is beautiful. The totem poles are very interesting but would not have been as compelling if we did not have such on amazing guide telling us the stories that went with these amazing reproduction Totem Poles! I loved this park! So much history! and beautiful Totem Poles! Huge gift shop too!Visited August 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 24, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
1,030 reviews
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355
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stork90
Mount Juliet, TN1,403 contributions
Jun 2020
We had the park to ourselves on a rainy June morning (probably thanks to COVID). As the one tip noted, definitely bring a rain jacket, and if you have it, rain pants and waterproof shoes help keep you more comfortable. We thought the signage was really pretty thorough, and we were able to download the guide to the park (from Alaska parks website) to a phone, since the visitor center wasn't open. This gave us explanations of the numbered totem poles.
What a peaceful and beautiful place! Easy to get to by city bus (Silver line), and they run only hourly. This was the perfect amount of time for a leisurely visit to take photos, read all the signs and wander the trail.
What a peaceful and beautiful place! Easy to get to by city bus (Silver line), and they run only hourly. This was the perfect amount of time for a leisurely visit to take photos, read all the signs and wander the trail.
Written June 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Morag
Fairbanks, AK125 contributions
May 2022
The totems were beautiful and the plaques to learn about them were very informative. We took the silver line bus here from downtown (arrives at quarter past the hour) and took the bus back (departs 13 past the hour). This worked great.
Written June 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RealWelshAle
Monroe, GA107 contributions
May 2022
Really enjoyed my visit to this park. Small but interesting and takes maybe about an hour to see but you could stay longer. Easy and cheap to get to with a straight forward 25 min public bus ride for a $6 round trip, with buses running every hour.
Great Totem poles and main common house to visit. Great photo ops and I liked walking along the beach and seeing the long uncut logs. Tag onto a visiting tour party from one of the cruises if you want to hear more about the totems and park history but easy to get to yourself.
Great Totem poles and main common house to visit. Great photo ops and I liked walking along the beach and seeing the long uncut logs. Tag onto a visiting tour party from one of the cruises if you want to hear more about the totems and park history but easy to get to yourself.
Written May 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bnizzle76
Indianapolis, IN619 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
We took the Silver Line public bus from downtown, $2.00 per psgr. O/W and the bus drops you in the park- driver very friendly and helpful. Be sure and ask what time he will pick you up, I think 13mins after the hour. Stayed about 60-90 mins, you can walk the trail and read the descriptions on the signs. The morning we visited it was an ‘honor system’ to leave $5 per person in an envelope in a mailbox. Beautiful sunny day, and well kept trails. Loved learning about the totems!
Written August 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott P
Snohomish, WA5 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
My wife and I loved looking at the totem poles and the clan house. It was a fascinating experience in a lovely setting. All that is required to get there is a 15 minute bus ride north for $2 per person. Well worth it!
Written July 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brooke S
1 contribution
Jun 2023 • Family
Had a great day in Ketchikan...totems at Bight park then ziplining with Kawantis Adventures. Only hitch was the silver line bus, which was very prompt, left from a stop across the street from the bus station and we missed it. It doesn't stop at the Rock. (Uber was $50) Also, there is a Token Transit App to buy your tickets ahead of time. App says they are only good for 1/2 hr so time your travels well. Kawantis zipline was awesome! Van pickup no surprises. Well organized.
Written June 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mustang X
Dallas, NC85 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
We took this tour as part of a Holland American excursion. It was interesting to see all the totems and our guide did a fantastic job of explaining them. We also saw a show of the natives doing songs and dance. That was very cool. It definitely felt like it was catering to an older crowd. I don’t think younger kids would enjoy it.
Written January 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Buajar
11 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
Totem park is beautiful and worth visiting. But please do not take tours, as its far more expensive and you will have 50 people in front of you when trying to see the place. Go on your own, we took a public bus right in front of our cruise ship or go to downtown on a free bus and catch a public bus silverline, leaves every 20ish minute every hour. The bus is almost empty at all times and it drops you right in front of the park and picks up 7 mins after each hour exactly at the same location. for four of us the total cost was $30 including entrance tickets and ride back on the bus. When we got there, tours were almost completing and we had the whole place to ourselves. one hour was sufficient so we took the bus back that came an hour later. Definitely recommend this place for a visit
Written July 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
708Robin
West Sussex, UK1,479 contributions
Jul 2023
A short bus trip from the town, we went on a guided tour which was excellent. We had a university student take us round the park, explaining the history of various totem pole around the park and the stories behind each carving. The totems were either carved in the 1930s or the 1990s and they is a master carver.
Written July 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mari_reys
Los Angeles, CA310 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
No need for tour excursion , you can do this on your own and cheaper. Just take the public bus ($2 fee) from the port and entrance fee is $5 per person. 1 hour is enough to stay at the park. Make sure do not miss the next bus pick up, as it only comes every hour. We only had 5 hours in Ketchikan and we did this early and then walked to Creek Street before embarkation( Carnival Luminosa)
Written August 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
George L
Raleigh, North Carolina
What is the difference between Easy and Moderate Activities?
Written February 13, 2023
Hello,
How much information is available in the park about the totem poles?
Is the park wheel chair accessible?
Do you know how much is a private taxi to the park and back?
Thank you
Rafi
Written June 23, 2018
There is a sidewalk for you to walk through the park.
Written June 23, 2018
How much time should we allow for Totem Bight State Historical Park. Would 1 hour be enough time to walk around and take pictures.
Written January 26, 2018
I don't think so- there is so much to learn about if you like history. I joined up with a tour group-they are so welcoming in Alaska and that took over an hour and then we explored on our own. There is also a nice gift shop and that took some time as well.
Enjoy- still one of my favorite places ever been. :-)
Written March 27, 2018
Yes! Small cabin-type building. Allow time to explore it. When we went there were many native crafts to purchase. Give yourself a couple of hours to take it all in-then buy your momento. Truly amazing!
Written April 28, 2018
Can you walk to the park from the cruise ship docking area?
Written February 28, 2017
Totem Bight State Historical Park is 10 miles North of Ketchikan. But there is a $2 bus that take you up, or you can catch a cab for about $40 bucks. ($2 is the new rate as of 2017)
Written August 19, 2017
Do you have to coordinate your own transportation to the departure point or is their a city tour shuttle available that will pick you up from your hotel?
If no, is there public transportation available in the surrounding area's such as uber, taxi or bus?
Written January 7, 2017
For sure there is shuttle bus to the park and there are some taxis around Ketchikan. There is no problem with transportation.
Written January 8, 2017
Hi I would like to know when the museum at Totem Bight opens for the day. Our ship in only there from 6:00 am until 2:00 pm. I would like to get there early and on my own. Will there be a bus near the port that goes back and forth during the day so I can be sure I'm back to my ship in time?
Written June 21, 2016
Depending where your ship docks (3 different stops), the $1.00 Silverline northbound bus line starts at 5:25 to 5:27 (starts one hour later on saturday and sunday), comes every hour at the same time. It's about a 20-minute ride
Once at the park,You can just walk around, it has a free access, you have all the signage to explain the totems you will be admiring.
What you would miss if you go early would be the small shop, and maybe the inside of the clan house (4 small totems) it was open at 8h00 when we were there.
You could actually take the bus back (the driver will tell you when he(she)'s coming back)and go southbound at the other end of town at Saxman village and visit those totems and the carving center and be back at the wharf around 11h00-12h00
Written June 22, 2016
What time does the park close? Since we are going in the summer, we are thinking of an evening visit since it will still be light out.
Written May 19, 2016
Most stores, sights and business closes as the cruise ships leave. Totem Bight is a sight and coach tours return latest by 5:30 to ensure all passengers embark their respective cruise ships.
So, despite the tourist season, I would say the park closes at 6 pm, especially the souvenir shop.
However, the park may be accessible as I don;t think it has gates security. If that is the case, you can see the park sans tourists.
Written May 20, 2016
Hi Could anyone tell me please the time of the silver Line bus to Totem Park do they run on the hour?
Thank you
Written May 19, 2016
Search "Ketchikan gateway borough bus schedule".
Written May 19, 2016
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