Ketchikan’s Beautiful Tlingit Community: Saxman Native Village

Ketchikan has some wonderful places to both learn about Tlingit culture and history and to see it up close, engaging with members of the local community. The Saxman Native Village in Ketchikan is a great place to visit, with or without kids, to hear the stories of the Tlingit people and see some of the beautiful creations they’ve made over the years. If you haven’t gotten to experience Alaska Native culture up close and gain some context to the many totem poles and clan houses you see throughout Southeast Alaska, the Saxman Native Village is THE spot for that.

Yes, you can get tours to the Saxman Native Village from the cruise ships that port in Ketchikan but you can also visit as an independent traveler. Whichever you are, it’s a worthwhile addition to your time in town. We’ve got the lowdown on what to expect with visiting the Saxman Native Village and how to include this on your Ketchikan itinerary. If you have any questions about this or need additional recommendations, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a meaningful trip to Alaska.

Highlights of Visiting the Saxman Native

I think that wanting to learn something about another’s culture and history is admirable, and that’s the point of travel. Visiting the Saxman Native Village is a great way to do this in a respectful way that also supports the local community. Instead of wandering about gawking, doing a tour of the Saxman Native Village means that you get to hear from the local craftsmen and elders about pieces of their culture that they want to share. My favorite part of the tour was getting to listen to a master carver talk about his tools and process for creating totem poles as he worked. And he looked so familiar… it was Nathan Jackson whom I’ve seen in interviews and articles. As far as being a world renowned totem pole carver goes, he’s the man and he was so kind to share his stories and skills with us.

Another highlight of the Saxman Native Village is the Beaver Clan House. In addition to this being a beautiful example of a Tlingit community clan house, we also got to watch a dance presentation narrated by elders explaining what was going on. Each dance was different and serves a different purpose, so as they went through the presentation we got to learn all about how the local Saxman village interacted and still interacts with other Tlingit communities and the importance of the Clan House in their lives. If I had to guess why most people want to visit the Saxman Native Village, I would guess that it’s to get to see the amazing totem pole park and road.

Book a guided tour through Ketchikan to Saxman Native Village here (direct with native corp)

Tips for a Meaningful Visit to Saxman Native Village

The great thing about visiting the Saxman Native Village in Ketchikan is that the people you’ll meet and interact with here are very happy to share with you all about their history and traditions, and it’s not an imposition to ask questions in a respectful way. From the dancers and the elders sharing the stories to the people working in the totem pole carving shop, they are ready to chat. Once you hear from people why they do the things they do and the meaning behind the things they create, whether it be totem poles or button blankets, you’ll look at all of the indigenous art you come across in Southeast Alaska differently.

I think it’s so cool. For planning your visit to the Saxman Native Village, you’ll be on a schedule and a closely managed tour if you’ve booked a guided tour with transportation. There are many tours that go throughout the day and you can combine them with other shore excursions too, or you can just do this on your own. If you arrive at the Saxman Native Village on your own, you can pop into the gift show and pay $5 to wander through the totem pole park and see what you can learn. You can also get tickets for any other demonstrations or dances going on if available. The easiest way to visit is as part of a tour though.

Being Prepared for a Saxman Native Village Tour

BRING YOUR CAMERA! There are so many totem poles all around Ketchikan, but the biggest concentration of them is here at the Saxman Native Village. You can get up close with historic standing totem poles, sleeping totem poles (on the ground) and even pieces that are currently being created. There is a lot to see and photograph, both up close and from far away. Also, if you’re watching a dance presentation in the Beaver Clan House, photography and video are welcome.

When you’re walking around the Saxman Native Village it’s either paved or the pathways are well maintained. Most of the site that’s open to the public is wheelchair accessible too!

Getting to the Saxman Native Village in Ketchikan

Anyone visiting Ketchikan as part of a cruise can simply walk off their ship and you’ll find your driver for the Saxman Native Village tour at Birth 2 (maybe a two minute walk from Birth 3). If you’re one of the few cruise passengers arriving into Ward Cove, when you take the bus into town, it’ll drop you where you need to meet your tour driver. For people with their own vehicle or if you’re taking an Uber/taxi it’s about a 10 minute drive from downtown out to Saxman Village, and once there you can park in the lot or if you just want to stop into the shop on totem pole row, there is some street parking nearby.

More Tlingit Heritage Sites to Visit in Ketchikan

While the Saxman Native Village provides the most comprehensive experience to learn about Tlingit culture, you’ve actually got a few options for places to visit in Ketchikan.

• The Totem Heritage Center is really interesting with examples of very old totem poles.
• The Tongass Historical Museum has Tlingit art and historical photographs.
• The Southeast Alaska Discovery Center has quite a few exhibits about Tlingit culture and Elizabeth Peratrovich’s activism for the indigenous peoples of Alaska.
• Totem Bight State Park is another beautiful site for totem poles and a clan house.
• Kiwanti Adventures Alaska Rainforest Preserve also has a totem pole park and an active totem carving house.

There are so many ways to experience and appreciate the beautiful Tlingit culture in Ketchikan and you really should try to visit as many as you can during your visit.

More Things to Do in Ketchikan

Ketchikan is such a cool town and it’s a wonderful place to explore for several days. If you’re only able to stop in for a little bit from a cruise ship, that’s fine too, but you’re going to want to come back and explore on your own in the future. What makes Ketchikan such a great town to visit is the combination of Alaska Native culture and all the elements that come to mind when you think of Alaska: salmon, mining, timber, landscapes. Ketchikan can be a wonderfully active town to visit or you can arrive and spend a few days relaxing.

As you plan your time in Ketchikan, think about how you want to mix up your activities. You can plan tours on the water or to visit different parts of Ketchikan to learn about Tlingit culture or nature. There are some walking tours to dig into the food scene or you can enjoy the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. Do you need a car when you come to town? No, not necessarily and downtown is very walkable, even beyond Creek Street, and there is a bus system that goes to some further away spots. A car is nice though, as that open you up to hiking and traveling around the island freely.

Here are are recommendations for things to do in Ketchikan:

Where to Stay in Ketchikan

If you’re lucky enough to get to spend several days in Ketchikan, there are some fun options for hotels around down town. For visitors with their own cars, you can consider something outside of the immediate downtown area and not need to worry about parking. I will say, there are some cool places to stay just off Creek Street, which puts you right in one of the most iconic Alaskan neighborhoods. You can even stay at the Cape Fox Lodge overlooking downtown and then take the funicular down to the main area. Some hotels in Ketchikan offer shuttle service between the hotel and downtown or the airport ferry terminal, so if you want to enjoy a more quiet stay, you can still easily get about town without a car.