Totem Bight State Park

Native culture is celebrated and honored throughout Alaska, and there’s no better place to get an up-close look at the artistry of Native people than at Totem Bight State Park. As an 11-acre park located just north of Ketchikan, Totem Bight State Park features one of the world’s most impressive collections of totem poles that honor the past and future of the Indigenous people of Alaska.

Visiting Totem Bight State Park

Totem Bight State Park is open year-round, and it’s located less than 10 miles north of Ketchikan. While you’ll need to take a boat or plane to make it to Ketchikan’s shores, it’s only a 10-minute drive up N. Tongass Highway to arrive at this unique and impressive park. There’s no charge to visit the park in the off-season, but visiting in May through September requires a small admission fee.

We offer a Ketchikan Sightseeing Tour and a Canoe Tour that include Totem Bight State Park.

About Totem Bight State Park

Totem Bight State Park is nestled within the Tongass National Forest, along the rocky coastline of the Tongass Narrows. Built at the site of Mud Village (or Mud Bight Village)—a former Native campground—Totem Bight State Park features 14 totem poles that are replicas of 18th century Tlingit and Haida poles, along with a traditional chieftain’s house.

History

The area that is now Totem Bight State Park was first settled by Indigenous people of Alaska. In the early 1900s, Native people began migrating to non-Native communities in order to find work—leaving behind their villages and many hand-carved totem poles.

Time and the severe climate quickly wore away at the totem poles and structures that remained, until the U.S. Forest Services joined forces with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to restore and replicate the impressive Native art at the sites. By hiring talented Native carvers, some totem poles were repaired while others were recreated in new carvings.

The start of World War II slowed down the project, but several totem poles and the community house were already completed at the site. Now named “Totem Bight”, the land passed to the state of Alaska with its statehood in 1959, and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.

Interesting Facts

The Native cultures of Alaska are carried down through generations through oral stories, songs, and traditions. The totem poles found at Totem Bight State Park are the visual representation of centuries of history, making this a must-see place to gain a better understanding of Alaska’s past and people.

• Totem poles, also referred to as “Silent Storytellers”, carry on the oral stories and history of Native Alaskan tribes through the symbolism carved into the cedar poles.
• The community Clan House is one of the park’s top attractions, offering a look into the lifestyle and culture of the Native communities of the past.
• Wildlife is a popular motif in totem poles, with each animal symbolizing something different. Eagles symbolize peace, as well as friendship, while orcas are a symbol of strength.
• The lush rainforest setting within the Tongass National Forest offers visitors to Totem Bight a unique experience and plenty of opportunities to see Alaska’s native wildlife.

Points of Interest

You can’t truly appreciate the beauty of Alaska without celebrating the Native cultures that continue to shape the area. Totem Bight State Park is one of Ketchikan’s most-impressive attractions with its traditional totem poles, replica village, and local artists and guides that take visitors on a journey through the past. Whether you spend a couple hours or a full afternoon at the park, you’re bound to walk away with a new appreciation for the rich Native culture of Alaska.

View all of our Ketchikan tours and ideas for things to do in Ketchikan.