Private Ketchikan City Totems & Wildlife Van Tour: Explore Alaskan Native Culture
5.0
19 Ratings
Ketchikan
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
(19 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Kevinbq8910sb
Nov 2, 2023
Phenomenal! Locally owned small business - Our experience with this local small business was truly exceptional. Art and his wife provided excellent communication and were accommodating, even going out of their way to fulfill a special request during our tour. Art's local insights added depth to our adventure, and we were treated to remarkable sightings, including a brown bear, two totem parks, salmon-filled rivers, a pristine beach, and a breathtaking waterfall. We wholeheartedly recommend this company for an unforgettable local experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Charissa_p
Oct 9, 2023
Art is the best tour guide in Ketchikan - Art is a phenomenal tour guide. He is very knowledgeable about the land and very personable. He is easy going and will take hikes, fishing, viewing totem poles and museums, watch for bears, etc. He works around what you want to do on your tour!!!
Review provided by Viator
Pclark0715
Sep 15, 2023
General sightseeing - Art was fantastic, very eager to make us happy and he tried oh he tried to find us a bear unfortunately the bears didn't cooperate but you could still see Art's passion for his island. Very fair prices as well. Could only give you 5 stars but he was worth many more.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Galina_z
Sep 12, 2023
Memorable and fun - This is an excellent tour to take if you want local perspective and 'off the beaten path' experience in Ketchikan. Our driver-guide Art was knowledgeable, accommodating and fun, shared some personal stories and connections to the places we visited. Seemed like he knew everybody in town! On one of our stops we met a bear, Art knew that the bears were coming to the place to fish, and there it was! This tour was probably the most memorable experience with everyone in our group, everybody had only good words to say about it. Was also a good price for our group of six.
Review provided by Viator
Gail_m
Sep 10, 2023
Best tour we have ever had ever! - Our guide, Art, was wonderful! He took us to see the salmon spawning in the river where we also saw two bears. He explained what the stories meant for the totem poles we saw. We had a real treat when he took us to a little restaurant, Alava’s, for the best halibut and chips we have ever had! We would highly recommend him for a tour in Ketchikan.
Review provided by Viator
Kelly_s
Aug 28, 2023
Amazing day in Ketchikan with fantastic tour guide!! - We had the most amazing day in Ketchikan on this tour! Our tour guide, Art, became like family for the day and treated out kids as his own. He taught us all about the different berries and even helped us find them out in the wild to sample. We saw tons of wildlife including eagles, a bear and bear cub as the mama bear caught a salmon and took it off to eat, a whale breaching in the distance, salmon swimming, and more! We also stopped at a beautiful waterfall for some pictures and for the kids to explore and climb along the rocks and stream. Art brought snacks and drinks that our kids thoroughly enjoyed. As the day was coming to a close, we had not yet found the elusive thimbleberry that Art had told us was his favorite and my son kept saying he'd wish we'd foudn the thimbleberries. Art drove us to a place he had found them before, hopped out of the van, and started picking them with the kids. It was the perfect ending to a spectacular day!
Review provided by Viator
Roving578690
Aug 28, 2023
AMAZING TOUR! - We had an amazing tour! Art was very personable and showed us all the highlights of Ketchikan! He taught us about the history and meaning behind the totem poles, how to live off the land, natures swimming pools, the natural waterfall, where the salmon were, where the bears fed and even drove us by a baby bear cub, and gave us recommendations on restaurants to eat dinner at! The van was spacious and clean and he had binoculars for us to use! Would very much recommend Art and this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dorothy_b
Aug 24, 2023
Private Tour for Four - WONDERFUL DAY! - FABULOUS! Art is born and raised in Alaska and incredibly knowledgeable. We loved having a private tour for our group of four. Not only did we see what we asked about, but SO much more we didn’t know about! Very personable and fun. If we make it back to Alaska, we would use Art again!
Review provided by Viator
Archie
Aug 22, 2023
Best way to see Ketchikan. - Art did a great job of tailoring a tour that was exactly what we were looking for. Excellent tour and very knowledgeable native. Born and raised in the area. Great stories about living and growing up in Ketchikan. Highly recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jeff
Aug 18, 2023
GREAT Experience!!!!! - We lucked out upon finding Art with Rainy Day Tours. Art made the experience. He is native to the area and knew every question we asked. We stressed we had not seen bears yet and that was a priority for us. He took us to a location that allowed us to see a mother and three cubs (very unusual) and then another adult bear came along. We got great pictures and great videos. I highly recommend Art at Rainy Day Tours when your visiting Ketchikan.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 6 guests
1
Traveler
June 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today