Visit Ketchikan

Ask visitors what they remember most about Ketchikan and Creek Street is usually near the top. Historic boardwalks, colorful buildings, and salmon swimming through the creek below. Is the year you come to Alaska? Start planning now at https://www.visitktn.com

Let’s talk about what to pack! 💼
Ketchikan is nestled in the heart of a temperate rainforest, which means one thing: rain is part of the experience. While we don’t see a lot of sunshine, the misty skies and lush landscapes are part of what makes this place magical.

Pack for the weather, not the forecast—layers, waterproof shoes, and that trusty rain jacket will be your best friends. Check out this fun photo from to Sea Expedition Co to plan like a local.

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Fireweed season in Ketchikan. These bright pink wildflowers bloom across Southeast Alaska each summer, lighting up trails, roadsides, and forest clearings. In the middle of our lush rainforest, they’re a bold reminder that summer is here.
If you’re visiting Ketchikan this summer, keep an eye out—you won’t miss them.
Photo by Seth Willingham

Spend a little time in the Tongass and you’ll understand why people fall in love with Ketchikan. Mossy forest, mist in the air, and trails disappearing into the rainforest. It’s unforgettable. Start planning your dream trip now!

In , history doesn’t just live in books, it rises from the ground and lives among us.
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Across town, that history takes shape in towering totem poles—found at Saxman Totem Park, Totem Bight State Historical Park, and the Totem Heritage Center, as well as woven throughout the community—together forming the world’s largest collection of standing totem poles.
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Stand beneath them, and you’ll feel it—the stories of this remarkable place and the Alaska Native peoples of this land.
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If fishing in Alaska is on your bucket list, Ketchikan is your place!
Did you know that we’re the Salmon Capital of the World? Here salmon run through downtown creeks and fishing charters head out daily. Start planning your visit at https://www.visitktn.com
Photo by WaterProject Photography

Admiring the cover of our 2026 Ketchikan Travel Guide? So are we! The cover art was selected by a committee of Ketchikanites through a locally held call for artists.

“This cover reflects the various sights and attractions of the Ketchikan area. From the local cuisine, to the beautiful scenery, to the wildlife of the area (including our local residents). There is no one part of Ketchikan that shines above the rest, which is why I chose to reflect it all and use tools similar to a comic panel to help showcase the entirety of Ketchikan. This small town at the edge of the world is so diverse, with so many viewpoints, that it is important to try and capture it all, from the smallest berries to the biggest bears. “

Max Flowers is a comic artist and illustrator currently living in Ketchikan. Find them at ArtofMF.com or on Instagram.

It’s here! Our 2026 Ketchikan Travel Guide has arrived!
If a trip to is on your bucket list, this is the place to start planning. Inside you’ll find all the best ideas for fishing charters, wildlife viewing, Native culture, family adventures, great seafood, and exploring the Tongass! Use it online or request your own printed copy at https://www.visitktn.com/travel-guide/