Saxman Native Village

As one of the “totem capitals of Alaska”, Saxman is a small city just over two miles south of Ketchikan. The Saxman Native Village here is one of the top places in the state to see traditional Tlingit totem poles and to take a step back into the traditional culture of the indigenous cultures of Alaska.

About Saxman Native Village

Saxman Native Village isn’t the only place in the area to see totem poles, but it is the only place where you’ll also get to see the carvers at work on their craft. With the most standing totems in one location, a Village Carving Center, and a clan house, this year-round park is always open for visitors to immerse themselves in the traditions and beauty of Native culture.

Visiting Saxman Native Village

With about 25 totems to see,
If you’re a cruise ship passenger you’re in luck; 2-hour tours of the clan house with demonstrations of traditional dance by the Cape Fox Dancers are available to cruise-ship travelers that pre-book a tour of Saxman Native Village.

You can view our excursions that include Saxman Native Village here.

History

Saxman was formed in the 1800s, when Tlingits first settled the area in the hopes of building a school and church. The heyday of totem pole carving ran from the mid-1700s through the 1800s, and these totems symbolized the wealth of the culture with intricate stories of the Native people, legends, and land.

The one-square-mile village was incorporated in 1929, and today, around 400 people live within its borders—many of which are Native Alaskans.

Interesting Facts

Saxman Native Village is a step back into time, and it holds a spot as one of the most celebrated parks to experience Tlingit art and culture. Every year, thousands of visitors visit Saxman Native Village from nearby Ketchikan, and there’s plenty to explore once you arrive.

• Ketchikan is known as the totem capital of the world, and Saxman Native Village has one of the largest gatherings of totem poles on Earth.
• As an open-air park, Saxman Native Village is open to visitors year-round, although no tours are available from October through April.
• Ketchikan is not connected to the rest of Alaska by road, so the most common way for tourists to arrive at the park is by summer cruise ships.
• Many of the totem poles on display at the park today were carved in the 1940s to preserve native culture, and they are replicas of the original poles left in abandoned villages by Native Alaskans.
• Nathan Jackson, one of Alaska’s most-celebrated artists, can be found carving in the Village Carving Center, where visitors can ask artisans questions and get a firsthand look at their art.

Points of Interest

Entering Saxman Native Village is like stepping back in time, and there’s no better place to get an up-close look at the skill and artistry of native Tlingit culture. Whether you take a stroll through the park and admire the totems or book ahead to get an inside experience of traditional dress, dancing, songs, and artistry, Saxman Native Village is an experience you won’t forget.

View all of our Ketchikan tours and ideas for things to do in Ketchikan. You can find our tours of Saxman Native Village here.