Totem Bight State Historical Park Reviews

We took a tour bus from the cruise ship to this attraction. Bus was comfortable, but a bit crowded. Totem Bight was excellent......lots of large totem poles to see. Bathroom facilities were less than adequate.....always a line. Overall, a very good visit.

Walk through the facility and talk to the vendors it is quite a history lesson itself.

The work they do is amazing. Especially the man with the furs his story is very interesting.
A must do.

Beautiful little park! Was not too challenging for my 85 year old mother to do. I loved the totems and the short little rainforest walk. There is also a nice gift shop.

It rained heavily the day we visited the park and our tour was cut short because the visitors were all soaking wet. This was a very interesting site and our guide was extremely knowledgeable. I wish we had more time. The gift shop has the typical items, but also some made in Alaska gems.

This is a small collection of Totem Poles that were saved from vandalism. They are not beautiful. like the replacement poles at the Sitka park, but they are authentic. Between both sites one can learn a lot about the Alaskan coastal peoples' culture. Well worth the hour it takes to visit.

Ketchikan is home to a rich Native Alaskan culture, which can be fully explored at this Historical Park. It is packed with restored and recarved totems.

A great overview- we started our morning with AJ and this tour. He was a great guide and very knowledgable. We saw the town and all the totems, learning about the history. HIghly recommended!

Great for history. An excellent representation of a variety of totem styles. This particular park was not an original village but is a national state park and regulated by historical elders. All the totems are carved by master carvers. This park is small definitely not a whole day tour. We took this as a combination with the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show which we were then rushed through the park and had not time to walk around. They spent a lot of time telling us they would talk about totems on the bus ride back which was disappointing. This tour needs 30 min on your own.

You can do this tour on your own for 5.00 if you can get transportation. It is about 20min away. Service is bad though so I’d caution about the ride back. There is a gift shop but not a lot different than the items you can purchase in town. We had time to walk around town after. We had lunch at the Alaskan Fish House (see my other review it was amazing).

I expected a bit more information about the various totem poles and was a bit disappointed by how little information there was. The totem poles themselves are pretty neat and the clan house was interesting. But again, I wish there was more information provided about the clan house.

A very small scenic park where you walk along a circular paved path and review various totem poles. You can get there from town by city bus. Ask in the Information center where the bus stop is. You do not need a guide to visit this park. There is ample signage explaining what you are seeing. There is also a native house which you can walk inside. You can easily view everything in this park in approximately one hour. interesting, but not really exciting.

yes you must do it to see the native Alaskan heritage ,it is next to the ocean and you can collect some salmon berries while you are walking around the totems .

Such a neat park. We all loved seeing and learning the history of the totems. We also loved the little gift shop! So glad we visited the park!

We visited Totem Bight in 2015 and returned this year with our daughter and son-in-law. We booked the tour through our cruise line and a bus met us at the pier to take us to the park. The driver, Rebecca, passed out a book of numbered pictures to each passenger to follow as she narrated interesting facts about people, places and events in the area. We learned the story of the totems and the native people as well as interesting tid bits about Ketchikan. The scenery was beautiful, the tour chock full of interesting information. A wonderful day for all of us!

This used to be a stop on most tours of Ketchikan, but now they charge an entry fee and most tours now skip it. What a shame!

The totems were nice, although most are reproductions, but the hike and garden areas were beautiful.

The lodge where the shows take place was not open, but we enjoyed all of the totem poles. Good narrative .

The trip to the totem park was a great experience. There were many totems to see and lots to learn about them. There was an opportunity to see a totem being created too. The gift shop was nearby and had some very nice items too.

Each totem pole tells its own story and there are plenty to see at Totem Bight State Historical Park. In addition, there is a replica clan house where numerous members of a family would have lived. I enjoyed the tour I was on and the views of the mountains. If I am back in Ketchikan, I'll visit Totem Bight State Historical Park again.

This is our first place we visited for our Alaska Cruise. The weather is perfect sunny with breeze. It was early and there is only two of us with all the birds sound. We enjoyed our visit and saw the Eagle and other beautiful scenery. I think it would be better to have a tour guide next time.

This is a very pretty park walking among totem poles. It is adjacent to Potlatch Totem Park so as long as you are here, you might as well go to Potlach Park as well.

Had read about the park and was expecting to see many totem poles!! Firstly we were taken to see a short video and a couple of artifacts. The video was ok the artifacts another matter though. I can remember 2. We were then to treated to a nature walk which turned out to be a path which basically just turned out to be a way of not walking through the carpark. The next part was a traditional dance in traditional costume. This was the highlight of the entire visit. We were then taken outside to see the totem poles of which there were not a lot. In fact there are more poles in the town itself!! You visit a workshop only to be shown a couple of tools that are used in the construction of the poles. The carver was more interested in siting down drinking tea. The gift shop was a complete waste of time with not 1 totem pole in sight!! The guide was trying his hardest to make this visit worthwhile but really had nothing to work with.

We took a cab to Totem Bight State Historical Park and were not disappointed by what we discovered. Alaskan architect, Linn Forrest, supervised the construction of this model Native village. Fragments of old totem poles were laid beside freshly-cut cedar logs and every attempt was made to copy them in the traditional way. There is a Clan House and 14 Totem Poles displayed along a peaceful trail.

We did a guided tour of this beautiful park from our cruise ship and went by bus from the centre of the town. Our tour guide and driver was a university student on her summer vacation and was brilliant for our tour. We learnt so much about the history of totem poles, how they are carved and with what materials. Each one tells a story which was explained to us very enthusiastically and we really felt that we had a valuable experience. There are toilets and a shop on the site and we had a lovely time. Would recommend a visit.

Part of Alaska cruise. A most gratifying first time visit. We were lucky enough to go with family and we all enjoyed it. Would certainly go again.

Really enjoyed the info and its delivery about the totem poles and their stories. The best part was Braden as he was very skilled at delivering the info in an entertaining manner and controlling by enthralling 40 tourists- not easily achieved. Had expected there to be more totems but let's assume less is more?

I think we were very lucky to have Braden as our tour guide. He may be the best tour guide I have come across equal parts knowledge and humour and makes it hard to have a bad time on the tour. The park itself is pretty great, I have never seen a place quite like it, there were probably less poles then I thought but we were still struggling to hear all the stories about the totems.

Very aimed at tourists, but the totems are great and authentic. The gift shops is one of the cheapest during the cruise, si pack up on souvenirs there! :)

The totems were beautiful and the plaques to learn about them were very informative. We took the silver line bus here from downtown (arrives at quarter past the hour) and took the bus back (departs 13 past the hour). This worked great.

This is a short, easy trail through the totem poles and leads to the ocean. The views were really pretty and it was great to see so many totem poles. An easy, family-friendly activity

I was on a cruise and decided to explore on my own. I caught the silverline public bus across the street in front of the Alaska Coffee Company for $2.00 each way (exact cash). The park had a machine to pay $5.00 for the park entry. The paths to the totems were gorgeous. The totem poles, clan house, and general area were interesting. It is a small park. We were able to see the park and be back for the bus in one hour. I am glad I did not pay for a tour. I road the bus back to the cruise port but went past the port and got off at Creek Street and walked around. The short walk to port was then down hill and easy. It was a nice trip.

The totem poles were fantastic. We enjoyed the walk through this park even though it was poring rain outside. Be prepared for weather when coming here.

Amazing totem poles and their history.
I highly recommend while in Ketchikan taking time to visit this center. Lots of history most don’t know about.

A nice little bit of local culture. Takes less than an hour to visit and it is very informative. a good photo op for the family.

A totem pole was never worshiped, it just told of the family history to strangers and visitors who came calling on you. Saw a restoration center that no one was staffing for totems. It was raining in deep woods where there many new and very old poles on display and one very large lodge houses very intricately decorated on the outside.
We made the best of it and quietly laughed amongst ourselves for the weather and the repetition of our tour guide. Oh our bus while still in the city before we got to the park, we were given paper towels to wipe the condensation of our windows while she pointed out totem poles in the city. Which you had no chance to see due to the fogged up windows.

Highly recommend stopping to learn about the history and take in the scenery of the totem poles and surrounding area.

Totem park is beautiful and worth visiting. But please do not take tours, as its far more expensive and you will have 50 people in front of you when trying to see the place. Go on your own, we took a public bus right in front of our cruise ship or go to downtown on a free bus and catch a public bus silverline, leaves every 20ish minute every hour. The bus is almost empty at all times and it drops you right in front of the park and picks up 7 mins after each hour exactly at the same location. for four of us the total cost was $30 including entrance tickets and ride back on the bus. When we got there, tours were almost completing and we had the whole place to ourselves. one hour was sufficient so we took the bus back that came an hour later. Definitely recommend this place for a visit

The park is on the shore in beautiful setting the totem poles were in very good condition as was the house. Great birding too.

Nice clean park with beautiful things to see. Don't forget to go right next door and see the Potlatch park as well it is just as nice.

We came here as part of a tour, and our tour guide was pleasant and knowledgeable. (One thing to understand, is that the busses in Alaska are mostly old and because many towns are only accessible by air or water, autos cost a lot, so they use what they have....for a long time.) Nevertheless, the park has a nice path through the woods and down by the water that is an easy stroll. The Totem Poles are reconstructed and there is also a building you can visit to imagine how the first people may have lived. There is a gift shop and restrooms on the property as well.

Recommended place to visit, preferably with a guide to learn more about the history of the Totems. Some of them are amazing.

We were driven to the park by a guide who was very knowledgeable and friendly. Learned a lot about the totems and some about the tribes in the area.

Very informative and historically educational. It's only 6$ per adult to get in and kids are free, definitely worth a stop in.

Was in Ketchikan as a stop on our cruise. Took a local cab there based on a conversation with a town resident. Great site to see totems and wildlife. Gift shop adjacent to Park was neat and reasonable. Took the city bus back to town. Spent $55 for round trip transportation and admission for my family of five. You do not need a tour booking to see this.

We took a tour of this during our port stop.
I was qutie excited to see these Totems and learn of their stories.
There is a per person entrance fee (either 3 or 5 bux) I don't recall exactly.
TAKE CASH.........

Once you pay the fee, you will see about 10-12 poles and a building near the back of the park. Another tour guide was giving a detailed description of each totem which helped because if not.........you were kinda left short.

The story on the Abe Lincoln one was funny...and the 3 monkeys one too,.

I am part native american, so it was very special to me.

in about 2and a half hours you see ketchican then drive out to the park , see glorious ttem poles from the Tlinglit, Haida and Tsimshian as well as a a fully restructed clan house. Our guide was excellent in explaining all the poles as wll as how the clan house worked.

Although I was on a cruise, I chose to take the local bus instead of booking the pricey excursion. It was only $2 each way (or $5 for a full day pass) and $5 admission. I'm glad I did as it gave me as much time as I wanted to explore the 2 parks and I spoke with many locals during the trip who told me about their city. Buses run every hour.

While visiting, there were many organized tours so I was able to easily listen in and learn more about the totem poles, the clan house and the Tlingit and Haida cultures. The map also provided good information. There are also beautiful beach and water views and I enjoyed the walk in the rainforest.

Right next door is Potlatch Park which also has a clan house, some very interesting buildings, carvings, totem poles and native art (and a big gift shop, if that interests you).

Easily accessible by bus. Everything was closed due to Covid-19. It was a nice little visit. The park has good signage that explains the different totems.

We did this tour while we were in Ketchikan. We weren't quite sure what to expect other than totems! Our guide, Bradan was great. He knew everything about the different types of totems and answered all our questions. I would recommend this tour while you are in Ketchikan.

Nice self guided park with an easy path through the woods to a clan house and multiple totem poles. Very well done and the information in the self guide pamphlet provides as much information as the people taking the guided tours were getting.

We came here through Sourdough Tours. Our guide explained all the totem poles, their significance and stories surrounding them. We did not go inside the hall because time did not permit. This is a nice place to take beautiful pictures and listen to the story of the totem poles.

We took a bus tour there and the driver was a story teller. Very long stories about myths and how this became that. Well, I like a good story but not long drawn out ones that seemed to never end. The totem poles each had crazy stories behind them and I really wonder now which ones are true if any. The park is pretty and it was a beautiful day so I enjoyed all of that. Actually it was the warmest day they had in a very long time. Interesting to see the local complain about how hot it is at 72.
I now have more appreciation and knowledge about totem poles. It’s a once and done tour.

after enjoying a great visit to the totem heritage museum, this park outside of town had several replicated totem poles and a clan house as it's educational display to top off what we learned at the museum. the short pathways were cut through a coastal rain forest. allow about 30-45 minutes to casually explore this park. there is an entrance fee.

Easy walking self guided tour all Totems and their history well explained, very informative.Great to be outside the hustle of Ketchikan. Take the bus line out it goes every hour, cost 2 dollars per person each way, need exact cash.

While the totems are completely awesome in their own right, what really made this place spectacular was the stories behind the totems. We went with Wild Wolf Tours and our guide Tracy was exceptional. Memories of a lifetime!!

This is a very interesting park just a short drive from downtown Ketchiken. We went after cruise ship season had ended and had the park to ourselves. We spent about an hour walking around the park and checking out all the Totems.

Totem bight State Historical Park is conveniently located on the city bus line in Ketchikan. One walks pathways with totems lining them. In the middle one comes upon the Tribal House. You enter through the small opening and experience how early native people's interacted with each other. The Park provides a booklet that describes the renderings of the totems.There is a picnic area and one can walk on the beach. A must see.

Cool totems and information on the local cultures on Ketchikan. Worth the time to come north to see and stretch your legs!

Toured the Nature Park and the Totem Pole Park. Both really interesting and enjoyable. Our guide Rina at the nature park/raptor center was especially good.

Even without our excellent tour guide explaining the background of the totem poles in Totem Bight State Park it would have been a worthwhile and interesting experience. The totem (reproductions of original totems from the area) are fascinating. But WITH the information offered by our tour guide (oh how I wish I could remember his name for this review) the area swells with history and significance.

Our guide told us stories of the people who originated the totems and gave us hints into how to "read" the story of the individual totems. He explained how these replicas came to be, and why they are still considered "authentic" to the native people. His knowledge and expertise at guiding and teaching was absolutely invaluable to getting the best understanding of the area. I do recommend the guided tour if you are interested in obtaining a taste of the culture of two groups of People native to Alaska.

My husband and I visited Totem Bight State Park and Ketchikan city tour as a land excursion scheduled though a cruise line company. We paid a fee for the tours that included transportation. I don't know about individual pricing to enter the park or arrange to be part of non-cruise land excursion. If the tour of Totem Bight Park has a fee, it was included in our overall excursion fee which I felt was very reasonable. I think children (age 6 and older) AND teenagers who are interested in history, nature, cultural experiences would enjoy this tour. To see the totems, there is quite a bit of walking - but it is not a strenuous path. There might be some difficulty maneuvering a baby stroller or wheelchair along the pathway.

We loved the totems. We lucked out & were there the night of the dance show in the clan house. It was great & very informative. The tribe told us where their robes came from & who made them & what the different symbols (eagle, raven, wolf, etc) meant & how they all traced their legacy back on their mother’s side.

Short excursion to the park. The poles were beautiful and fascinating. Good for all ages. Great for elementary age children who learn about Native Americans. Lots of walking on a path, old be challenging for those with limited mobility. We were with a tour guide nd she was very knowledgeable.

We visited this park as part of an excursion, after the Lumberjack show. It seemed we were rushed and the park was OK, just not outstanding. If we had it to do over, we would have probably hung out downtown.

The Totem Bight State Park was amazing, well kept, the totems and the building were unbelievable works of art, hand hewn

It was a beautiful setting, The tall majestic trees, the totems, blue water and a clear feeling in the air. This was a few of the things we discovered in Totem Bight State Historical Park. Our tour guide was Victor and he was the best guide ever. He was knowledgeable and a very good story teller. He made the entire tour so interesting. We saw a Clan House and Victor explained how it was made and put together, he also knew a lot about the area and history, he explained the meaning of the totem for the families and the clan...

This is a great park to walk thru. There is a brochure you pick up at the entrance that covers each pole and what it means. There is a rehab shed and a clan house. Everything is well signed. Nice view out to the water. We took the public bus out and back, an hour is plenty of time for a visit. Restrooms on site but no food/drink.
Get there early before the tours roll in. We got there at 8 and as we were leaving two tour buses rolled in

We sent to Totem Bight State Historical Park as part of a cruise excursion. I am not really 'into' totem poles but I am into beautiful scenery and nature and to that end it was great. There are a number of totem poles as well as a lodge. Our guide shared all of the stories behind each totem pole and the history of the area. If you are in the area it would be a quick stop and worth a side trip.

This is a tour you can do on your own. Stop at the Visitors Center and find out where to catch the local bus to the park. It costs $2 each way or $5 for a day pass to ride as much as you want. The bus can be crowded so may have to stand for the 20-25 minute ride. You will get an information sheet when you enter the park that explains the different totems. When you are done at the state park walk about 50 yards to Potlatch Totem Park, a private park with free entry. If you are lucky you will be able to watch one of the totem pole carvers at work.

Lovely walk with informative signage and very interesting cultural structures. The walking paths are very easy and accessible. The totems are wonderful--historic, artistic and iconic. Quite a lovely place for a short visit.

Very nice place to visit. Easy walk. The Totem Poles are great to see. See my pics below. There was is a $5admission fee but I thought it was worth it.

Really enjoyed my visit to this park. Small but interesting and takes maybe about an hour to see but you could stay longer. Easy and cheap to get to with a straight forward 25 min public bus ride for a $6 round trip, with buses running every hour.

Great Totem poles and main common house to visit. Great photo ops and I liked walking along the beach and seeing the long uncut logs. Tag onto a visiting tour party from one of the cruises if you want to hear more about the totems and park history but easy to get to yourself.

Even at the height of summer this historical site offers a respite from the chaos if you go in the quiet evening. Offseason it is just you and the wind in the trees!

Great beach, great park with totem poles and eagles. It doesn't get more Alaska then this! You can read about the totem poles as well.

If you grab the $2.00 shuttle, this is an inexpensive, informative place to visit in Ketchikan. Give yourself about 2 hours for round trip and back.

Worth a quick visit but it really is a 10/15 minute look, see & take some photos! The gift shop on site is probably cheaper than in Ketchikan town.

We took the local bus for only $2 per person each way instead of purchasing an excursion from the cruise ship. This was an easy 30 minute bus ride with nice scenery along the way and interesting locals with which to converse. The Totem Bight park had a $5 per person entrance fee and was smaller than anticipated but a nice, short half day visit that didn't cost us much by doing it on our own by local bus. I would have felt I'd wasted my money if I'd spent a lot more but for $9 total each, it was interesting to see. The totems were interesting monuments to some of Alaska's history and people and the self-guided maps helped with understanding the meanings of each one. Not a place I would say is a "must do" and I probably wouldn't visit again if ever back in the area, but it was ok to see once.

My husband and I saw this place as an excursion from a ship. It was very worth it. Bill, our tour guide, was very knowledgeable about the totem poles, and the people who lived in the area. To learn about totem poles, and the people, this is one place to be sure and visit.

visited this location 2018 and 2016, do not miss going to this location, the views, all the Totem polls have such a cool history, the tour is really good too, or you can drive to this location on your own.

We enjoyed our time here. We were taken throughout the park and our tour guide told us all about the history of the village and the totems. If you're lucky whilst there, you might even see a whale. We did.

Took a tour booked through my cruise ship. The guide Rebecca Thelen was great and very knowledgeable. She explained the history of totem poles and how they were used. What I thought I knew about totem poles was very wrong!!!

It's worth the short ride to visit. It's a family must visit every time you're on the island. Great place to see Whales, Eagles and Totems.

This is set in lovely forest and has 14 totem poles each telling their own story. Our guide told us a few of them. There is a replica of a 19th century clan house. There is also a great gift shop. We were given complimentary coffee and yummy almond biscuits on our tour organised by Princess cruises.

Small but informative. Definitely see the Tangass US National Forest movie about Ketchikan first, so you understand the importance of totem poles to this region.

We took a bus tour to this park. Learned alot about totem poles here. The clan house is very large. There are 13 standing poles and others are being restored.

We took the city bus ($2 one way) from Ketchikan to this State Park a few miles north of the city. The bus driver let us know where to get off the bus and when and where we could catch it again. We paid a nominal fee and picked up a self-guided tour brochure for the interpretive trail. The hike is level and maybe a mile long. The brochure had numbered stops, explaining each totem pole, as well as the clan house. Most of the poles were carved in the 1930s and were replicas of earlier totem poles that stood in Native villages. Very interesting for people who like history and Native American culture.

Our guide "Mr. Ed" was exceptionally knowledgeable with the traditions of the local tribes. He gave insight from the native's view and explained the long house, and the real meaning of totems.

I think this tour works well for those that don't mind slow. The totems were replicas which I wasn't expecting. The long house was interesting. The whole tour was just a little to long and slow for my taste.

Emerald tour leaders were informative, helpful, charming and generous with their time. We saw bears as if on call, a waterfall and got to meet the totem pole carver at Saxman Village. 100% recommended.

I rented a car for the day and drove from one end of the island to the other. I stopped at this totem Park and enjoyed it very much. It is so serene and interesting to read the history of the totem poles. if you have a car be sure and go a little North to Ward lake and walk around it. It's a lovely 1 mile walk through the woods and level.

Love these totem poles and this particular area was really interesting. We had a guide so we knew what we were looking at, and I would certainly recommend this. This area is quite beautiful so get your camera ready for some great snaps.

We took the Bight Totem tour as part of our Alaskan cruise, and loved it! Our guide, Byron, was incredibly knowledgeable in the totems and native peoples and wanted to pass on as much information as possible!

This time I walked the park alone with the park handout which is very good. I think that when visiting Totem Bight that it is better alone or with friends and on your own time. Don't take a tour bus. Take a taxi or the city bus. If you do you can skip the shop and the delays and the crowds.

The totems were old and great stories behind the many varied ones. I enjoyed seeing the different ones and learning about them. The settings were gorgeous. It is worth the time to enjoy this sight.

Totem Bight State Park provides a wonderful anthropological introduction to the native American tribes that were the original inhabitants of southeastern Alaska (notably, the Tlingit, Haida and Saxman tribes). Some say it contains the largest collection of totems anywhere in the world.

It is a product of the depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps. The government sought to create jobs... but not just by creating 'work'. In creating the park it sought to accomplish two things: 1) to restore then-decaying totems and the native history they represented, and 2) pair older artisans with younger natives - in order to pass along both the tradition and skills necessary to allow the culture to carry on.

I'd say the plan succeeded. To take full advantage of this success, I recommend using a tour guide who can share the story of the park, those who created it and those who it honors.

The park has a central Tlingit clan house and fourteen traditional totems. All are hand-made from red cedar (which is rot resistant). The park entrance has a pair of smaller poles: a Thunderbird Whale "mortuary pole" and an Eagle "grave marker". In the park, there are larger poles of every inspiration, including other grave markers, honorary poles, shaming poles, etc.

Contrary to what early Europeans believed, totem poles were not objects of worship. Rather, they were carved to pass along the oral history of the tribes, its families or its notable cultural stories. The tradition relied upon the use of animals, fishes and birds (notably, bears, frogs, eagles and ravens), humans and even supernatural figures (such as the Thunderbird) to create the stories. Most totems were never completely painted... but when paint was used it was created using mixtures of chewed cedar bark, raw salmon eggs and a variety of powders - which created the pigmentation.

The park is located on the shore of Mud Bay - on the Tongass Narrows - and offers wonderful views of the bay and Gravina Island (the opposite shore across the bay).

There is a store and rest rooms on site.

A very interesting piece of history. Very informative and great for photos. What a selection to see.

We took the Silver Line public bus from downtown, $2.00 per psgr. O/W and the bus drops you in the park- driver very friendly and helpful. Be sure and ask what time he will pick you up, I think 13mins after the hour. Stayed about 60-90 mins, you can walk the trail and read the descriptions on the signs. The morning we visited it was an ‘honor system’ to leave $5 per person in an envelope in a mailbox. Beautiful sunny day, and well kept trails. Loved learning about the totems!

Lots of walking but wonderful to see the Totem Poles.
Beautiful scenery and very good guide.
Love the trees too

Our guide Doran from Alaska Travel Adventures was very informative and really made the totems and culture come to life. What an extraordinary place, thank goodness the US Forest Service and Civil Conservation Force had the foresight to salvage this beautiful art form.

We have 3 totem parks in Ketchikan and this is my favorite. It’s away from town and sits right on the water. Soon the fireweed will be blooming, making for some beautiful pictures!

Cross the street from the cruise port and catch the bus in front of this brown store front with the lime green window frames. $2 each way for adults. Kids 12 and under are free. Exact cash needed.

We learned a lot and enjoyed the variety of totem poles. The setting was also beautiful. We encourage folks to check it out.

If you take the bus, make sure to have plenty of change, and get on the correct direction. They don't give change.
The park is small, well maintained, and is about 30-45 minute. Information center staff was friendly.

We went to this park by the city bus. We enjoyed walking around and seeing so many beautiful totem poles. Great place to visit.

truly a trip back into time seeing and learning from the past to take in to the future. pictures do not give you the feelings that actually being there bring.

After the rain has gone and the cruise ships have gone ketchikan is left with a place of quiet beauty

Took a tour of Totem Bight and it was interesting to learn more about the totems and what they mean. Worth a visit!

I was on a 18 day Rockies & Alaska Grand Discovery holiday with Titan Travel on board the Holland America cruise ship Ms Zaandam we stopped at the port in Ketchikan, went on the tour to Totem Bight State Park with coach driver and guide Mathu who gave us loads of interesting information about the park throughout the tour and we saw a number of magnificent Totem Poles as we went around afterwards you could visit the gift shop and cafe, very interesting tour.

A short walk through woods gets you to an open meadows with striking totem poles and a long house. We were there with local guide, Peter Stanton, who knew the stories depicted on the carvings. Great good fun!
A beautiful sunny day made the views stunning.

We booked a tour from our Princess cruise ship. Victor as our tour guide around Ketchikan and the Totem Bight State Park was phenomenal! He pointed out things around the town and gave a lot of history. At the park he shared history and stories about the totems as well as the construction of the Clan House. One of our favorite tours from the whole cruise. Thanks Victor.

I would not as highly recommend this park without a knowledgeable tour guide. I am giving this park a 5 due to the guide! The path in the park is easily accessible for anyone. The park is beautiful. The totem poles are very interesting but would not have been as compelling if we did not have such on amazing guide telling us the stories that went with these amazing reproduction Totem Poles! I loved this park! So much history! and beautiful Totem Poles! Huge gift shop too!

We caught the bus from Ketchikan to here. The ticket office had closed, so we paid our entry in the 'honesty box'. It is a nice walk around the park, with lovely views over the sound. The information boards were quite comprehensive and, as well as the totems, there is a reconstructed clan house which you can go into. Well worth the small entry fee.

This is a park that has 14 totem poles but the overall area is not very big. The overall size is about equal to the interior of a baseball field. You can take public transportation here from the docks instead of getting on an Excursion for 45 bucks. Take the Silver Line North from only $2 a person. Really is kind of a waste of time. Interesting totems but half of them aren't even completed and if you take a bus or Excursion up there you're going to waste an hour each way and only spend 15 minutes in the park. There is a nice gift store about 50 yards down the road from there though with unique Alaska souvenirs. Definitely not a must do when in Ketchikan as there are totem poles all over the town equal to the totem poles you see here

You hike a little ways in to the Totem Poles and the tribal house. You are allowed to go into the house. Many interesting stories written for you to read.

The group tour was informative and interesting. The tour included a performance in the clan house with natives, as well as a viewing of the workshop of the totem pole carvers. There was plenty of staff to answer questions and interact with. great tour

Beautiful totems in a stunning seaside location. I could have spent all morning here just taking photos. The surrounding forest is peaceful and inviting. Many displays and information available is helpful in gaining a full perspective of the park. A must see attraction.

As we arrived by cruise ship, we went straight into the visitors centre at the cruise dock for a map and guidance.
We took the silver line local bus for $2 each and that dropped us right in the Totem Bight Park....perfect.

Much better than paying for a tour, which you really don't need to.
The bus picks up in town at 26 minutes past each hour.
And on the way back it picks up at the park at 13 minutes past the hour.

The park is absolutely wonderful. $5 entry and there are washrooms if needed. It's all well marked with well maintained walking paths. A beautiful little park to wander around and see the history.
Allow about and hour to see it well.

Very enjoyable visit and experience into the history and culture of the native peoples of Alaska. Observed many types of carvings

We walked here from town. The location of the totem poles and clan house is beautiful and well-worth a visit. They site compares well with other Totem poles in the area

Interesting stories about the old totem poles. We were short on time,and didn't experience the entire park, sadly..Well worth a visit.

Ketchikan all in one tour by Seaside Tours, was well worth the time and very inexpensive for what you get, had a great time and would take the tour again.

Hunter was our guide for this tour to the Totem Bight State Park and he was amazing. The way he explained sights and the way he told the stories was fantastic. He kept us amused on the ride there and answered all our questions.

We loved this excursion that we took in Ketchikan.

Take a city bus a few miles north of the city center to a public park with a wonderful and authentic totem collection.

Enjoyed this very inexpensive visit. Totems great photo op, walk through enchanted forest, museum and visitor center interesting. Bought totem in gift shop. Good price for authentic Alaskan.

The pathway through Totem Bight State Park was a perfect place for our young kids to stretch their legs and explore the forest. The totem poles are amazing to see, and there is a good layout to the park to give time to take it all in. Visiting in the winter allowed us to see the park without any competition.

Easy to catch the local bus and then do this on your own. You can also combine with Potlatch Totem Park right next door. It is very pretty, right near the water. 1-2 hours is plenty to walk and read the signs. We did pick up the bus near the library which is next to a river. We then got dropped off early to catch the RainBird Trail hiking back into town.

Very beautiful place, very peaceful. Excellent native guides with a lot of generational knowledge of tribal history and tribal life and customs.

We booked a tour with Lois of Classic Tours. She was so knowledgeable about the totems, customs of the tribes, the temperate rainforest at the park. The view from the hill was beautiful. A definite must see.

A great totem pole park. Our bus driver/tour guide was great. Explained details of the poles and buildings. We really liked this experience. I believe this is a must see park.

We were not part of a group, but did listen in on the significance of each totem. The guides were engaging and fun. A nice place to enjoy local history.

There were a variety of totems and a brochure explaining totems, why each character is placed on the totems and places to sit around the water. Saw several eagles.

Our tour was purchased through Holland America - it was a combo of this and the Lumberjack Show. Our tour guide/driver "Rebecca Thelen" that brought us here after short tour of the city was soooo knowledgeable about the city history as well as the Park's history. We didn't even have to ask questions as she provided so much information in an interesting way. Very passionate about the history here. Fascinating to see a "Clan House" Rebecca provided umbrellas which were much needed during our visit. Had a brief stop in the gift shop which had a huge selection of items.

This is a not to be missed attraction if you're interested in Alaska Native art and their culture. One of the largest stands of totem poles is set in a beautiful waterfront setting. So much to see and take in!

Surprisingly small state park. Nestled in big trees and moss and ferns. What stood out, of course, were the totem polls. While there are plenty of other totems in Ketchikan, none are in as pretty a setting as this.

We were on a tour that took us to Totem Bight State Historical Park. Our tour director was very interesting and knowledgeable about the different types of totem poles and what their significance is. She also explained the meanings of the carvings on the poles and their placement in and around their village. The clan house is very impressive and the location of the park is lovely with lots of trees and view of the water.

We took a taxi to Totem Bight State Historical Park. We had a fun and funny taxi driver. He stayed at the Entrance and waited for us to make the tour of the grounds. It is about 30 min. from Ketchikan so it wasn't worth his time to go back. (He even stopped at the local grocery store on the way back so we could buy diet coke to take on the ship) The grounds are beautiful and we learned much about forest growth and much more about the Totems and the traditions of carving. There were more than ten totems on display some of which were reproductions. We also learned that master carvers are teaching their craft to young apprentices. There is also a reproduction of a clan house in the park. This was an excellent experience. From Brochure: "Totem Poles are more than decorations. They evoke stories and events for their creators. Stories associated with totem poles can be complicated and are sometimes interpreted differently by different clans and communities."

Took the local bus for $2 each way. About a 20 minute trip. The information office was closed as it was late in the afternoon. Couldn’t get the brochure which would have explained the totems most interesting to see

amazing experience- the cultural aspect of this unique place make it a must do while visiting. You need to go!

We’ll run state park. This was our 1st Totem learning and was very good. The pamphlet provided by the park was an excellent learning guide! The Alaskan village, next door, could be skipped!

This is a must for any visitor to see and learn about Northwest Coast Art. It has wonderful descriptions and incredible pieces.

Our tour guide, Alex, did a great job during our visit to Totem Bight. The grounds are beautiful and we learned much about forest growth and much more about the Totems and the traditions of carving. There were more than ten totems on display some of which were reproductions. We also learned that master carvers are teaching their craft to young apprentices. There is also a reproduction of a clan house in the park. This was an excellent experience.

Like many others it seems, we took a guided tour round this park through our Cruise line. It was quite amazing to see this park that seemed to be well off the beaten track. Totem poles well displayed as well as the clan house. Guide was most informative. There was a fantastic gift shop - beautifully laid out and displayed. Free coffee and home made cookies were offered. Clean rest rooms. This was an excellent tour.

We visited the park as part of an excursion from a Princess cruise. It gave us an insight into the lives of the First Nations and their culture. It was pleasing to see that totems had been "rescued" from abandoned villages and even more pleasing to hear this was done with the approval of the First Nations themselves. I hope that funding continues for parks of this kind in Alaska and would recommend that you find time to visit this park.

We took this tour as part of a Holland American excursion. It was interesting to see all the totems and our guide did a fantastic job of explaining them. We also saw a show of the natives doing songs and dance. That was very cool. It definitely felt like it was catering to an older crowd. I don’t think younger kids would enjoy it.

We passed by this park on a boat tour and got close enough to see the faces and the main house. Lovely is all I can say. The totem poles here are really wonderfully painted. Worth the boat ride past. Wish I could have stopped in

We walked from town for the exercise, you can take the local bus for a dollar or two. We just walked around and did not visit the inside of the various buildings. It was just ok. I thought the Totem Heritage Center was better, but some might enjoy this.

Took a tour with Mr. Ralph to Totem Bight. He was super informative but made the information interesting. He “tells stories not lies”. The totems and lodge were fascinating. Wasn’t super interested in shopping or the museum (mostly guns and pelts).

This was a great tour, lots of native history and information. Our guide was fantastic! Easy walking path through beautiful park where we saw many totem poles and learned the stories behind them. It is a walking tour and some people did complain about that but it was not a long way nor rough terrain. Very informative. Gift shop and restrooms on site. Tour length was good- not too long, so we had time to enjoy the town as well.

Total night is a clan house of local natives where they dance and have celebrations titans are story's that tell tales of the past

We visited this Historical Park and could not find much information. YES the totem poles were numbered but we never found any type of a guide telling us what the numbers were. I was so excited to visit and left very disappointed.

On the North end of Ketchikan lies this tucked away roadside park... Totem Bight!!! There is a beautiful loop walking path through a small portion of Tongass Rainforest that leads you to the Clan House, and many, many beautifully carved, colorful totem poles!!! But what males this even more spectacular, is that it is also on the beach!!! A beautiful sight at sundown!!! And to see the Haida Native Clan perform has been the best thing I have seen here in Kerchikan!!!

We rode with Grey Hound and an excellent speaker concerning the area, the State Park, and the Totem history. This is a walk through the rain forest; bring a rain coat. The park has a Clan House in which had much history to it as well. The view of the bay/ocean and surrounding area is a must see in Alaska. The gift store is quite large.

This would be great to do with little kids. We enjoyed our stroll through the park and learning the history of totem poles. This park is also on the water...

Guide was fantastic. Rode a city bus to get to the place. Think kids would find this interesting. Glad we saw it while we were there. It was part of a Princess Cruise

We went here to get some history of the totems! It was disheartening and encouraging all in one! Don't forget the past, encourage the future! Remember the old ways and respect it! Be at peace with the world! All good lessons from this visit!

Our guide Doran from Alaska Travel Adventures made the totems come to life with his vivid stories. I don’t think it would have made nearly as much sense or been as interesting without this narrative. The scenery from the park is incredibly beautiful and peaceful.

Nice collection of preserved totem poles and a clan house in a state park/historic site. Short walk through a rain forest area then out to the walkway by the beach- also go to Saxman and you will see many different Tlingit and Haida poles. Look carefully for more poles throughout downtown Ketchikan as well.

Took a bus to Totem Bright to tour the park and see the totem poles. The ride was comfortable and narrated. When we got there we walked with our tour guide as he explained the stories behind the totem poles and their meaning. I did feel the tour was a little hurried and wished the tour guide would have gone a little slower so as to give us time to digest the beauty of the area. We were given a free cookie at the gift shop with coffee and given time to shop.

This was a very informative place to visit! Our guide told very interesting stories about the Totem Poles on site. We were also able to see one of the "masters" actually working on a Totem Pole in the workshop. Great visit in a beautiful area!

It's best if you have a tour guide to explain all about the totem poles and how to read them. Nice place to walk around too.

We picked up a guide at the ranger station that provided information on each totem and the clan house - very helpful. We took the city bus out and back - easy and saw parts of Ketchican we would not have seen otherwise.

We took a guided tour, through our cruise line, and our guide was fantastic. The totem poles are well spaced out and you can really enjoy each pole without feeling crowded. The signed were super helpful to getting a better understanding of the symbols. Plenty of restrooms, well paved paths, and great views of the surrounding areas.

It would have been impossible to visualize how magnificent are these Totem Bights, if we haven't been to this open air museum.

Interesting and cool to interpret what the totem symbols mean. This was an easy walk throughout the park and there is a smokehouse, dance demonstrations--lots of good history.

We needed to scout this place for a photo shoot the following day. Arrived just after closing which allowed us to move about freely with no tour buses or tourist to phtograph the toem poles. You should have at least 5 or more hours of sunlight this time of year.

This is a tour everyone coming to Alaska should take. The Totems are amazing works of art and their history and meaning are significant. A great tour for adults and children will love it and get an education to boot. a must see on any trip to Alaska.

We had heard about Totem Poles, but never seen them.
Therefore, we learnt the correct facts about them, due to this visit.
It gives us an insight into the Native American history & Folk Lore.
Each Totem Pole had a story.
Some stories are unbelievable, but fun to listen to.
The pole are, beautifully and intricately carved, & painted colorfully.
The whole Totem Pole is carved, on one large Bark of a Tree.
The carver needs a lot of experience, to do such an amazing work of art.
It was a very interesting visit, with a new experience.

This is the only place you will see a collection of totem poles. It is a chance to learn about the reasons for erecting totem poles and all the stories connected with the carvings. Our guide Jacob was fantastic

I’ve been to Ketchikan three times, and this time I finally made it to see the totem poles. There were quite a few of these to see. I was on a tour, so there was a quick info session once we got there, so I would have liked to had more time to hear the stories of the poles. Definitely interesting to see!

It has long been a dream to visit Ketchikan and see the totem poles. It is a must see. I was disappointed, however, that there was noone there explaining the symbols, how they were made, etc. Maybe we were there at the wrong time or possibly should have gone on a tour which would have likely had an educational guide.

We were here on a guided tour, so we learned a lot about the history of totem poles and the stories that accompany them. The experience would have been different without a guide - still easily accessible, but would have learned less.

We really enjoyed our stroll through the park. The park is beautifully situated on the land. There are great views of the ocean. The totem poles and the ceremony building are beautiful. I would go again.

We arrived on a cruise. We took the bus, 3dlls per person. Very representative totems.
The bus came every hour so we had to wait some time before the other one came.

A short bus trip from the town, we went on a guided tour which was excellent. We had a university student take us round the park, explaining the history of various totem pole around the park and the stories behind each carving. The totems were either carved in the 1930s or the 1990s and they is a master carver.

Great to see the first nations traditions, alot of Totem poles to view and there was one inprogress - very cool

About $100 to get here and back from the ship via taxi. Plan your day better than us and take the bus from downtown to park for $2/person or $5/day pass.

This is a nice park, with many duplicates of tribal totems and a clan house. They tell various stories, which were interesting. There are some scenic vistas, and there's a walk through some rainforest.

This is a walking park, meaning, expect to walk a distance to get to the totems and the water. The trails are in good shape. It is uneven footing for those with mobility issues, know that it is paved but not flat and smooth.

Nice trails, totem collection with educational signs. We happen to be there when the local Haida Dance group Xaada Tak'anlang was performing in the Clan house. This was a real gem to experience.

There are restrooms with no electric or running water. They have hooks so you can hang your rain gear while dropping Bib rain paints or hang your bag to stay dry.

Our guided tour of the totem park was very interesting. I was happy we had someone to share all the history and stories behind all the poles. Not sure I would have spent the time at each pole without our guide pointing out all the interesting colors and why they were used and what they meant. It seemed a little magical when and eagle landing in the tree behind us during this tour. Did enjoy this a little more than I thought I would.

This was a shore excursion from our Princess cruise with our 10 year old grandson. We followed up the lumberjack show with a trip to Totem Bight. Let me say that Braden was our tour guide/driver. He was just entertaining and so informative. I think that the guide makes the tour. Boy, was he ever the best. Our 10 year old took to him immediately and hung on every word and made sure he was right at the front of the line to listen to every word. This is definitely a walking tour. you work through wooded areas and into the sunlight. The scenery is very pretty as are the totems. This sight is full of history.
After the tour we headed to the gift shop for shopping and excellent almond cookies.

Understand that it rains a lot in Ketchikan (they measure rain in feet and get an average of 13 feet a year), just be prepared. The park has 14 totem poles and a recreation of a clan house. Well worth the trip but make sure to get a good guide. We loved it!

Your tour guide will make or break your experience in the park. The park is wheelchair accessible down a gravel path and there are benches to sit on at each totem. Your guide will explain what each totem is about and give you a nice oral history about what the symbols mean.

We continue to love the personal small group tours. Loved the tour guide she had a lot of interesting facts of the area that I believe you would not get on a larger group scale.

Very interesting tour and history of totems. We didn't know much about them so the detailed information was welcome. The more you learn, the more interesting they become. Good overview of Alaskan Native American culture. Authentic totems, clan house and a carving shed all located in Tongass National Forrest; a breathtaking rainforest and beach with tide pools.

As part of the Princess Star cruise we took the tour of the Totem Bight historical park. A well preserved site. The tour guide was very knowledgeable, we received a good insight into the native Alaskan way of life. As we walk through the park local trees were identified and the different totem poles were explained. I now have an understanding of what the totem poles represent.

Our tour from the cruise ship had a guide to explain what the different symbols on the totem poles mean. She did this as we walked outside between various poles (thankfully, no rain). She also explained some about the large lodge once we were inside it. She also explained how the poles are made as we were in a shed with a pole in the process of being made. There is another shed with many old cars in it. In the store, there is one room with many old guns.

Nice excursion. The family took the Silver Line North to Totem Bight. It was a beautiful spot with some very interesting history. The self-guided tour cost $5/adult and lasted about 45 minutes. It was more than enough time to explore the area and catch the next South bound bus back to Ketchikan. The entire trip was about 2.5 hours and left plenty of time to wander around town.

This park is very easy to walk. It's along the shore & features totem poles. Best to find a tour that includes this park. We took a taxi and since it is a good drive, was a little pricey.

This park was filled with totem poles. Placards throughout the park explained what each totem represented and some of the history.

We took the easy $2 city bus to get here then paid the $5 to get in. Not very big but definitely worth the trip to see this place. Very nice setting having water views and forest setting.

This park has so much history and wonderful art work in the Totems. Our guide was also very informative and HAPPY to be doing her job for us. There is some walking but not hard. Great photo opportunities as well.

Totem Bight state historical park was a great stop in Ketchikan. We took a tour off the ship. Our guide was interesting and was able to tell us about the different totem poles in the park. Beautiful area, and don’t forget the gift shop!

Took a tour from our cruise boat and really enjoyed the park - I thought my teens would be board, but they were all very interested and asked the guide a lot of questions. Our guide was excellent and provided a lot of back ground on the park and many of the totems.

It was very good with lots of history. We spent a good bit of time there learning about Indian culture.

Took the city bus here early in the morning (7:30am) for $2 per person. There is a bus stop for the Silver Line near the cruise docks. It's $2 per person on the return and bring exact change as the drivers don't carry cash. Ask the driver if they can drop you off at Totem Bight Park. It's not an actual stop on the outbound bus but the bus stops there inbound back into town. Getting there early allowed us to enjoy the park alone and take pictures without other visitors in them. Helpful documentation explains each totem and the clan house.

This was a great palace we were shown how they crave the poles and how they used to mix dies to paint them and told what all the crarveing means . There is a shop to buy suvoniers quite good prices well worth a visit

We went to this park on an excursion from our cruise. Our guide Karen was so knowledgeable and told many fine stories and legends that made the trip very interesting. It was so nice to walk in the rain forest and see those marvelous trees, The histories of the various tribes (Ravens and Eagles) and how they lived, their culture then and today, was very interesting. An easy adventure for the elderly and families with little ones. We were glad we chose this excursion.

A must tour for the person interested in the rich history of the native people. The setting was well preserved and provided us a look into the past.

We had not booked an excursion for this short cruise stop. We wanted to see authentic totem poles. The state park is easily accessible via public bus from down town; across the street and down the block from visitors center. Catch the Silver Line public bus on Front street just past dock street. Runs every hour. Cost is $2 per person, exact change (cash). Admission to the park is $5 pp. there are self guide brochures in a box behind the admissions kiosk and informative signs. There are about a dozen totem poles and potlach house on a loop trail on the water front. Takes an hour or less to your. On return bus (runs every hour), driver directed us to switch to the free shuttle to reach cruise dock.

Very interesting, cool totems to look at and read about. And the gift shop isn't overpriced. My teens found sweat shirts for BOGO. IT was very interesting to learn about the history on each totem.

Each Totem tells a story. Beautiful artwork. Easy to get to. Tours often stop at this historical park.

Braeden was an amazing tour guide. His enthusiasm and love for the park made this tour well worth our time. He wanted to make sure that he shared everything he knew about the park. Braeden welcomed all questions making sure we understood the answers clearly. He is such a personable young man and a great asset to the city of Ketchikan. My favorite totem was the one with the return of the salmon story.

Our tour guide Carson took us here where we learned the stories of these totem poles some over 100 years old. He told us what the symbols were and meant. He also explained the
stories behind the poles. We left with a deep understanding
of these beautiful totem poles.

This park is very beautiful and close to the salmon hatchery. The walk around the park was a delight!

This place was beautiful. Our guide did an excellent job of explaining the meaning of the totem poles and then there was lots of time to walk around and take a closer look. This gives a whole new way of looking at these artifacts.

If you’ve already visited the Totem Heritage Center in downtown Ketchikan and Saxman Village, this State Park (Which can been seen from the deck I’d cruise ships too) is well worth the time to round out your visit

This is a great place to learn about the Tlingit tribe, some of the first inhabitants of this land. The totems poles are authentic and the oral stories they tell are fascinating. Totem Bright State Park is a place to learn some real history and I would recommend a guided tour. The grounds of the Park sit along the shoreline and provide some beautiful scenery.

Totem Bight originated as a public works project during the Depression which ironically reversed decades of government suppression of the native islander's cultural and artistic expression. We enjoyed seeing modern expressions of totems after previously viewing fallen ones at the Heritage Center.

Located on the Passage, sweeping views and ancient trees enhance the visitor's experience.

We were almost the only ones there and it was beautiful and interesting. Lots of totems, a clan house, and a view of the coast.

My parents & I went on a tour of the beautiful park. The guide we had was very knowledgeable & nice. The weather wax cold but the scenery was amazing. Easy walk to get around but you will be walking so wear walking shies.

Story poles were and remain an important Cultural icon of Tlingit and Haida clans. They each tell a different story. This is the largest collection of story or Totem poles In The world. All carved by Native Alaskan artist. These were never used in religion but are instead history books. Fascinating. If you don't do anything else in Ketchikan do this one.
You can drive or take a bus or taxi.

Nothing was bad or wrong but we were underwhelmed. We visited as part of a tour, and the entire tour was not very exciting.

They gave some history of totem poles and explained the tribes and families but most exciting was the giant slug one of the children found under a tree.

I loved everything about this place! Very pretty location and very peaceful on a Sunday morning. Really enjoyed looking at and reading about the totems. Easy to access because it's on a bus stop. Very friendly staff too!

Beautiful and impressive structure! Lovely walking paths. But nothing was open. The info center, store, everything was locked up. We paid for this tour and were on our own.

We took the bus...easy, cheap and door-to-door!
The location is superb...on the coast at the northern end of the Tongas Narrows...lovely views of islands & waters; as well as the immediate shoreline.
The totems & lodge & 'carving house' can be viewed at leisure...and there are many succinct & informative panels around the site & trails.
A great way to spend an hour or more; learn something about the areas culture and immerse yourself in the glorious countryside.

We went walking on the Totem Bight trail and really enjoyed seeing the many totem poles. It was a nice paced walk with exceptional views of the water and the trees.

My wife and I loved looking at the totem poles and the clan house. It was a fascinating experience in a lovely setting. All that is required to get there is a 15 minute bus ride north for $2 per person. Well worth it!

We rented a car from Alaska Car Rental. They picked us up at our ship. We drove from end to end of Ketchikan.

Enjoyed Totem Bright State Park. It has a nice path to stroll to see the totems and clan house along the water.

Bicycled up to Totem Bight and walked through the park. Several totems with accompanying histories, Clan house that is open for viewing.

Spent a few hours here. We did not use the tour guide and still enjoyed all of the park. Beautiful and full of local history.

As of 5/1/18 there is a $5 charge to enter the Totem Bight State Historical Park. Upon payment, we were given map with a short description of the totem poles. We spent an hour here because we came via the public bus which only stops here every hour. Otherwise we would have completed the park in about 30 minutes. Unfortunately, we didn't find this park too exciting. The bus ride costs $2 each way from downtown or $5 for a full day pass.

The totem park, car museum, and antique gun collection is second to none. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. Some of the weapons can only be seen in places like the smithsonian. The hall and totem builders are great. Great place for all ages highly recommend

Interesting place. Wasn't sure but glad I went. Can see entire place in 1-2 hours. About 20 minute taxi drive ($40) from downtown Ketchikan. Totem poles are awesome. Great gift shop and memorabilia area.

A short walk through a beautiful park to see the coastline and the restored totem poles of the native Alaskans

I like the different totem poles. The carvings are unique. It’s located on the ocean which is very beautiful. The clan building is interesting. You can also Ty’s your. $5 admission without your.

This is a beautiful park with lots of totem poles, informational displays, a restoration building and a clan house.

Beautiful park, great stories! The totem poles were BEYOND what we expected! Short walk around, beautiful scenery!

Spectacular setting for totems. Don't miss this State Park if you like looking and learning about totems. There signs are very informative.
You can take a city bus there if you don't have transportation. A great place to chill as there is a beach there. Cost us 5$:person.

We took a tour around Ketchikan and were taken to the Totem historical park.
The guide took us through the history of the various totem poles which was very interesting.

We were also taken to a nearby creek and was fortunate to see a baby bear!

Want to learn about the native Alaska culture, tribes, totems and history this is a MUST visit !... Seward's Folly (US purchase of Alaska from Russia )was in his misunderstanding the significance of honoring Native Alaska tradition !

Don't pay the tour companies to do this one. Rather walk from the dock to the bus pick up, pay $4, ride the town bus (q20 mins) to the Totem Heritage Center , then when it comes back by pick it up again and go to the stop that has a bus (q 1 hour) to the Totem Bight State Historical Park. Saves a LOT of $$$.

Nice place to take in the history here and also a nice waterfront place to take in the views. Highly recommend.

Very historical and educating excursion. This was very nice and interesting for all of us. We even learned about the Salmon berries and ended up looking for salmon berry jelly to take back with us.

Well worth the trip to see and learn more about the totem poles. There are lots of poles outdoor
Easy walking

Only a $2 bus ride from Ketchikan. A small site ($5 entrance fee (6/24)) but in an idyllic cove type setting. About an hour is probably sufficient there, unless you take a picnic, which would be worth doing. Numerous totem poles and a clan house set along a compacted path way, suitable for disabled access, with interesting info boards.

This is a great place for cultural experience, regarding the history of Native American Tribes, and how they carve out the Totem Poles. There were many kinds of interesting poles on display as well.

This park is worth a visit. A young man gave us quite an introduction to the indigenous nations and the history of the totems.

Great state park with easy to hike trail and educational details. I was with my mother in her 70s who had no issues getting down to the beach and exploring the Totems. The Clan house was particularly cool.

I truly enjoyed my two hour visit to the Park. On the way to the totem village, our knowledgeable guide pointed out aspects of the Alaskan rainforest. Upon arrival to the village, we were able to see replicas of totems poles that were once found in the villages of the lands of the Ketchikan area. Our guide was well-versed in both the meanings of the carvings found on the poles and the folk lore that was behind the images. It was a memorable experience.

Totem Bight was a great place to visit if you like history, beautiful scenery, and easy hiking through the forest. It is calm, peaceful, and uncrowded, a perfect first stop on an Alaska cruise.

While cruising Royal Caribbean, took the public bus (Silver Line North) to Bight State Park. Entry fee to the park is $5.
Upon returning, took the Silver Line South returning to the cruise terminal. Round trip on public transportation was $4. It took approximately one hour to tour the park.

Short loop trail with wonderful totem poles and beautiful beach views. I even saw whales spouting from the beach.

This is a small park but so interesting to see. We were able to visit it very easily by taking the local bus from downtown Ketchikan. It cost $2 dollars each way!! Excellent totem poles and meeting room, and some interesting exhibits on how the totem poles are preserved.

I spent the afternoon at Totem Bight, exploring the enormous logs that have washed up on shore, watching bald eagles fish, and admiring the handiwork of Native Americans. There are several different styles of totems, clan houses, and other carvings. It is truly a wonderful place. I’m not sure that I would’ve enjoyed it during the tourist season, but I had the place pretty much to myself all day in February.

The park was interesting but not a WOW experience.

If you are on a NCL like I was, I would avoid this attraction. NCL ships are docked in Ward Cove - a 30 minute bus ride to downtown and more like an hour if you include wait times. If you go to Totem Bight Park, which is on the opposite side of ship as downtown, you will have barely any time to see downtown Ketchikan. Downtown Ketichican is larger than most of the other Alaskan port towns, and we were very bummed we didnt have time to get to Creek Street with its unique architecture and abundant salmon run.

We went here as part of an excursion offered by our Holland America Cruise Ship. We were very disappointed that most of the totems were faded and not maintained well. One totem was missing the very top, the head. Our guide told us that the head will be the next totem that will be put back up when funding is available. Perhaps Alaska should maintain their state parks better, instead of paying its residents to live there?

Definitely worth the $2 bus ride to this lovely and interesting park. Bring a picnic if it’s a nice day.

This state park displays 14 totem poles from the Tlingit and Haida tribes. The park is exceptionally scenic as the well maintained path meanders through the woods and opens out to the water. An example of a tribal house is located at the waters edge. Admission is only $5 pp (well worth it) and includes an interpretive guide regarding the meaning of the poles and where they were from. The park is approximately 10 miles from downtown Ketchikan and is easily reached by the Silver Line public bus. Highly recommend a visit ( plan about an hour),

Take the $2 Silverline North about a 35 min bus ride to the park. $5 park entrance fee per person to the park. Well worth the trip!

Totem Bight was interesting. We enjoyed walking around to see the different totem poles.
We rode the city bus from town. It was super easy and WAY cheaper than going with the cruise ship.

Totem Bight State Historical Park was by far the best totem park we visited in the Ketchikan area. The totems are beautiful but what makes this place really special is the incredibly gorgeous setting on the coast. The views are spectacular and the totems make the park feel even more special. It was a very moving experience for me. The clan house is spectacular, as well.

Beautiful seaside park with clearly defined walking paths. Here you can learn about native life of the Tlingit and Haida peoples in olden times. There were many beautifully carved totem poles...some are new and others were restored. Some are restored right on the premises. There is also a little museum/gift store around the premises. It was worth the visit.

We did the park on our own. Entrance fee to the park is $5. Took the bus from the town, it cost $2 one way and you must have exact change. You can pick up the bus on the other side of the street, across from dock #2 from where the ships are anchored. The bus stop is under a store called Aisha Jewelers. Tongrass Dock Store is also on the other side of the bus stop.

The bus to go to the park is called Silver Line North and takes you right to the entrance of the park. However, there is no signage telling you that this is the Silver Line North stop. You will only see it once the bus is coming towards you.

Our journey with no traffic was about 30 mins. To come back the bus would say Silver Line South and pick up is right at the entrance.

FYI: The town provides a FREE shuttle around the town. Once back from the Park you move around the town in the Free shuttle.

It's true that the stroll through Totem Bight State Historical Park is beautiful. It's true there is a peaceful forest and gorgeous water views. More important to me, though, was what I learned about the history of totems. Looking at some of the creations was truly awe-inspiring. This is an easy place to visit on your own, so I wouldn't recommend paying for a tour--unless you want even more detail that you can find at the park, itself.

To get here from town is a $2 bus ride (silver line north). Buses only run once per hour. We had to spend 90 minutes here. 15-20 would have been enough time. It’s $5 per person to get in and $7 per person for a guided tour (which needs to be booked ahead of time). There are a dozen or so replica totems. The informative plaques are what you’d expect from a State Park. I’m hoping some other stops in Ketchikan are more worthwhile.

We wanted to see this park but were unsure of the best way to get there. We ended up taking the city bus from the cruise port. You need to walk to the second bus stop from the cruise port (about 1/3 mile from the port) across the street from the visitor center (not the covered bus stop on the same side) to catch the Silver North line. It comes every hour. The cost is $2 per person if 18+ or $1 per person if younger. HAVE EXACT BILLS as they will not make change for you. It is a short 20ish minute to the park and they will take you inside the park practically right where you pay to get in. It is a $5 entrance fee per person to enter (the park has a payment machine that only takes cards/not cash). It was rainy and cold when we went but we still enjoyed it. It only took us about 30 minutes to see everything at the park but we might have stayed a little longer had the weather been better. I would think about an hour is all one would need to see everything here. It is very minimal walking from cruise port to bus stop and inside the park. I would guess we probably walked 1.5 miles total to do this excursion. It would have been better had there been a guide or someone knowledgeable to give more history of the poles and ask questions to, but there was signage to give somewhat of a background.

No need for tour excursion , you can do this on your own and cheaper. Just take the public bus ($2 fee) from the port and entrance fee is $5 per person. 1 hour is enough to stay at the park. Make sure do not miss the next bus pick up, as it only comes every hour. We only had 5 hours in Ketchikan and we did this early and then walked to Creek Street before embarkation( Carnival Luminosa)

I’ve done this tour from cruise ship 3 time now, first time with friends, second with brother and now with my sisters. This tour give you the history behind totem poles and the native people. I always enjoy the performance in the clan house.

Got to see totem poles in progress and to try our hands at carving. Great clan house and variety of totem poles--old, new and in between. Loved the stories behind them. Nice gift shop with souvenirs made on premises.

We took the bus to the Totem Bight State Historical Park. Scenic travelling along the coastal highway and provides a good view of the city. Greeted by the forest ranger and admission to the park and a guide map . The pathway was lined with hugh trees and takes you to an opening with towering totems carved by the Tlingit and Haida artisans. It's a fabulous view of the Native American Totem Poles, a gorgeous Clan House and a spectacular view of the waterfront.
All along the path are informational plaques describing the History of Totem Poles, the Tools used, History of the Native Tribes in the area, details about the Clan House, and more. It is amazing history carved on the totems and sight of a hawk landing on the largest pole gives one the impression that someone is looking at you. The Clanhouse is simply amazing and difficult to believe that it houses about forty people.

Great park with lots of totem poles and information/ descriptions which was fascinating. We visited here with Wild wolf tours so also had a guide with us to answer the many questions we had.

Even though it was pouring rain, we hopped in a taxi with our driver/guide Art, and made our way to Totem Bight State Park. It was lush, green, and beautiful. The totems and their history was amazing. We loved it!

took local bus to the park. A lovely journey through the local area. we arrived before the crowds and spent an hour enjoying the totem poles and the peace and quiet. Well worth a visit

I really enjoyed the Totem Bight Park because I remembered it when I went 20 years ago with my family. The guide gives many stories about the totem poles in the park, and we even picked up a book about the totem pole stories at the shop just outside the park.

This park, which was a Civilian Conservation Corps site during the New Deal, has lovely restored totem poles, a long house, short accessible walking paths, and a small beach. It is on the local bus line. I enjoyed a quiet afternoon watching birds and sitting by the water here. There was nobody at the building by the parking lot when I went, but there is a covered bus stop available if you need shelter.

We visited in August. This park has many restored totems with descriptive placards about historical significance and the meaning of the icons. There is a lodge also. The staff were very informative and helpful suggesting other points of interest. This is a must-see in Ketchikan!

Take the city bus out to the park. Lovely trail with totem poles along the water. Of it is sunny, visit towards sundown. Peaceful

Great Place to stroll and see God’s handiwork. Old forest resembles the best of Disney’s enchanted forest except that it is real and the indwellers do not include dwarves, trolls or anything really frightening. Great beachside vistas with Alaskan birds, too.

It's a nice and easy hike through the park, and from the Ketchikan cruise ship port it's easy to catch a bus to and from the park. The totems are really interesting to see up close, and there are rangers who are very knowledgeable and give an entertaining tour. It's worth the trek outside of town to see this place!

Each of the totem poles tells a story -- many are so interesting. Definitely need a guide or guide book to fully appreciate the park.

In Ketchikan, as part of our cruise and booked a tour through the cruise line. The ride and the park were very nice. The park was well done with several recreations of totem poles as well as a reproduction of a clan house Our Driver/Guide, Braden, was great. One could tell that he was well prepared with the history and culture of the peoples that inhabited this area and created the original totem poles. His stories were entertaining and well as fact-filled. Well done Braden

This was a very interesting cultural experience. Full of educational value!! I love history and historical things. It's amazing how people think. The reasons why they do the things they do. It was beautiful as well. It would be a nice place to go to relax. If I lived there on a regular basis I would spend a lot of time there.

Interesting if you have time or are looking for a place to take a large group. We were able to go out on a local bus for a $2 fare each one way. The visitors center in downtown Ketchikan was able to direct us to the right stop. Bus runs hourly so plenty of time to take a look and catch the next bus back to downtown. $5 entry fee and a small visitor’s center. Trip took 30-40 min.

Whether you take a tour through your ship or from a local vendor (about the same price), this is a terrific way to see and appreciate the local culture and the totem poles created by local tribes and villages.

A beautiful space to spend an hour or two.
We stopped here and had a look around. It was not crowded and we could just walk and sit in peace in this beautiful space

We did this on our own, for the price of a local bus "day pass" plus the $5 entrance fee. Our fellow cruise passengers paid considerably more but got an expert tour guide as part of the deal. Since it was. Old and rainy, we didn't spend as much time reading the self-guided tour materials as we might have done on a sunny day. We did eavesdrop on the others, and heard some fascinating stuff. There's a modest visitor center with coffee and tea, for a donation. And clean restrooms as well. We were told that we might see whales, but we didn't. A great view into the life and culture of these First Nations. I'd do it again but on a prettier day.

The park occupies a beautiful forest overlooking the water, and the high point is a visit to the clan house, which you can enter, and there's also a number of totems. Children will probably be bored, so it's probably not worth $5 per person to bring them.

In any case, don't miss the nearby Alaska Totem Trading gift shop which includes a number of classic cars, a collection of antiques gun - including Gattling guns - and much, much more. And, it's free!

The totems were awesome! Enjoyed walking through the park. If I could go again would take a lunch or snack and allow more time to enjoy the views.

Excellent examples of totem poles and a clan house. This was impressive and educational. Easily accessible to all.

We had the park to ourselves on a rainy June morning (probably thanks to COVID). As the one tip noted, definitely bring a rain jacket, and if you have it, rain pants and waterproof shoes help keep you more comfortable. We thought the signage was really pretty thorough, and we were able to download the guide to the park (from Alaska parks website) to a phone, since the visitor center wasn't open. This gave us explanations of the numbered totem poles.

What a peaceful and beautiful place! Easy to get to by city bus (Silver line), and they run only hourly. This was the perfect amount of time for a leisurely visit to take photos, read all the signs and wander the trail.

We were on a bus tour next door at Potlach Park, so only had 20 minutes here. Wish we had more time to go in the clan house. The signs were all very informative.

My husband and I took a tour through Holland America cruises to Bight Park. The tour was very interesting learning about the different styles of totems and the way they are made. Learning the story of the clan House was also great I highly recommend this tour. Our guide Bailey was wonderful She was very knowledgeable and fun

We enjoyed the location on the water and in the trees as well as all the good information about the totem poles and their history and what they represent. We were independent travelers, took the city bus there. Get a day bus pass it's worth it. Be sure you also see the information about eagles behind the small museum, it helped us later with identification of young bald eagles. Also, the Potlatch Park is free, right next door and well worth a visit. This was not clear to us so we almost missed it. The clan house of the Potlatch Park is different and helpful to clarify what you are seeing.

I was slightly worried that our teenage daughters wouldn’t like this excursion but fortunately I was wrong! We took a public bus ($2.00 per person) out to Totem Bight (an adventure in itself) and timed the trip for low tide. The park is beautifully situated right on the water and the paths are easily followed. Who could visit Alaska without a tour of totem
poles...Totem Bight was definitely the right choice!

Got bus schedule from visitor's center: bus heading to park left stop across from ships at 26 minutes after the hour. Our bus was crowded. It's a ways away and took more than a half hour. The return bus was at 13 minutes after the hour, so we stayed a little more than an hour, and it was just the right amount of time. A taxi one way is $35. The park was quiet and relaxing. There are 14 totems, spaced apart, and a clan house. Information is provided. Some groups arrive with a tour guide. I was fine with the written materials and just looking.

I would make this walk again because there is too much to take in during a short tour. I had on hiking boots so went down to the rocks during low tide to see huge jelly fish among other sealife left behind

We booked this as an excursion through our cruise ship and had a guided tour through the park. Our guide was First Nation (native) and had a plethora of historical information, anecdotes, and insights into the totems and the history of the area and the cultures.

I would definitely recommend visiting the park, especially with an informative guide!

Take the North City bus which comes around 13 after each hour. $2.00. The park trail is around 20 minutes and like a rainforest, which is what it is. The bus ride is around a half hour. We spent around a 1/2 hour touring the totem poles. We loved it. Take Silver line back around 45 minutes also $2.

Terrific park with a lot of totem poles and structures rebuilt from native inspiration. We were too early in the season for park guides, but really enjoyed the totem poles and water front.

Totem Bright State Park is a must see. Our guide was informative, and the totems are beautiful and full of history. Don't miss this opportunity if you get a chance. It is a must see.

Really nice place for walking around and lots of interesting totems and other things to see. We were with a walking tour but that’s not really necessary as all the totems have explanations under them. The park itself is very pretty with all of the trees and under growth. You should definitely visit if you are in the area.

It was a rainy, cold day, but that didn't stop us from visiting Totem Bight State Park. And I am so glad we did. While the original totems are kept in a controlled environment for safe keeping, the recreations staged in the park, all carved by native craftsmen, are a wonderful story of the Tlingit and Haida Indians - called the First Nation by Canadians. The walk through history took perhaps 30 minutes through part of the Tongass National Park where we examined totems that represented the different clans, a typical clan house, and learned what the various carvings represented. Very informative and very enjoyable.

Had a great day in Ketchikan...totems at Bight park then ziplining with Kawantis Adventures. Only hitch was the silver line bus, which was very prompt, left from a stop across the street from the bus station and we missed it. It doesn't stop at the Rock. (Uber was $50) Also, there is a Token Transit App to buy your tickets ahead of time. App says they are only good for 1/2 hr so time your travels well. Kawantis zipline was awesome! Van pickup no surprises. Well organized.

We were here on a tour off of a cruise ship. Tour was very nice. Native Alaskans were on hand to show arts and history of their culture. In the hall we were delighted to see Native dancers and were called up to participate which was fun. History and stories of the different Totem Poles was interesting. Fun stories about Lincoln and another of the governor of Alaska at the time. Watched a wood carver and learned a lot about the totems being memorials of lost family members and family history. Good tour!

It is cool how they have all of those together and it was worth the trip. The museum was really cool if you are into guns.

Great stop on the tour we were taking. The Totem poles tell the stories. One was lying down at it was threatening to fall, so it was taken down prior to avoid it being destroyed. Such detail in each. The Clan House was nice to see as well. We also walked by the artist shop and were able to see in to what he was currently working on. Interesting stop & worth seeing wether on your own or with a tour.

This trip was very informative. Logan answered all the questions that were asked. He knew a lot of historical facts

I've lived in Ketchikan for 13 years. I've taken my son here just to walk multiple times. It wasn't until last year that we were stopped and told that we had to pay just to walk here. As a local we shouldn't be asked to pay these tourist fees. The tourists are taking over our town. We even have taxes that go up in the summer for these tourists and we have to pay those upped taxes as well. We are all getting sick of it. We had to turn around and listen to our children bawl their brains out because we didn't have cash on us. We won't be returning to this location and it sucks because we have walked here for years.

We took a tour from our ship to this site and it was amazing. Our tour guide was so enthusiastic and full of knowledge about the totem poles. He told us a story about each of the poles and we learned a lot of history about the making of totem poles. Truly a must see for a little local culture and beauty.

When I was visiting my daughter in Ketchikan, we visited a lot of totem poles. They were scattered downtown, collected at Saxman Village, and in every museum. But THIS WAS MY FAVORITE PLACE to view them. The park has easy to access nature trails, my husband walks with a cane and he was able to get around very well on the smooth paths and boardwalks. The park is also on the water and the views were amazing, it was low tide and there was a ton of room to go exploring in tide-pools for those of us that were able to move across the uneven rocks. I had a rental car and the park was very easy to find, but the bus also stops there every hour.

This was one half of an excursion we arranged as part of our Princess Cruise to Alaska. The other half was the Lumberjack Show, which was rather underwhelming. Totem Bight more than made up for it. We really enjoyed both the natural and cultural sides of this site. The lush rain forest trail and overlook of the Tongass Narrows are beautiful; it's a very peaceful setting that was filled with birdsong and mist the day we were there. This is also a culturally significant location that features totems and a long house recreated and/or restored by First Nation people as part of a CCC program. Our guide, Rebecca, was fantastic. She thought of everything, even providing umbrellas for everyone in our tour (and they were needed) and laminated "study guides" that helped educate us about this site, as well as various aspects of Ketchikan and the region. There were even cookies and cider as refreshment. The tour required a bit of walking and there were people of all mobility levels in our group and some uneven terrain, yet Rebecca was very mindful of that and kept a decent pace for all. We hadn't expected a whole lot from this excursion but came away thoroughly impressed and feeling like we experienced something meaningful.

Ketchikan is the best place to visit for Totem Poles, but make sure you take an actual tour or else you just end up staring at poles and you don't understand what you are looking at. There is so much rich history behind each totem pole its really super interesting.

Ketchikan has clean, reliable, safe public transportation. If you come by cruise ship, Totem Bight is just an easy $2. bus ride! From the Ketchikan Visitor Center/Cruise Ship Dock take the Silver Line Bus North to Totem Bight. One bus each hour. Google Ketchikan bus schedule for exact times or ask in the Visitor Center for times. (While you wait for the bus there are tons of shops to explore.) Go early if possible to avoid the tour bus crush!

The Silver Line Southbound bus will return you to Ketchikan. Ask the bus driver when he'll return (for us, in August 2018, it was at 13 minutes past each hour)

Pick up hot cocoa or tea near the entrance for a small fee to sip while you walk through the park. Be sure to get a description of the totems when you enter. $5.00 entrance fee per person.

A "bight" is a hook shaped peninsula jutting out into the sea. Try to visit Totem Bight when the tide is low if you can. Tide charts for Ketchikan are easily found online. We found dozens of starfish--bright purples, reds, and oranges--blue mussels, and other creatures! For us it was an unexpected pleasure and a lot of fun. --Wear appropriate footwear if you plan to do the tide pools. Much too rough for bare feet!

On the return you can easily get off the bus at Walmart, wait about 10 minutes for a green line bus (no extra charge to transfer) and take a Green Line Bus to the University of Alaska where there is easy access to the Rainbird Trail--a nice short hike across a ridge through a rain forest with nice views of forest and sea. ---Or, just stay on the silver line bus till you get back to the heart of town.

At the end of the Rainbird Trail, walk to the cruise ship dock--about a 20 minute walk. Use your device or print a map before you go. It's hilly, some up, mostly down.

Have fun!