Ketchikan, AlaskaKetchikan, Alaska at a Glance
Costs: US$150-$300 per day (expensive, seasonal) - remote location and tourist season push prices up for food and lodging.
Safety: Generally safe, natural-hazard aware - generally safe; watch weather, marine hazards and wildlife risks outdoors.
Best Time: May to September - summer cruise season offers best weather and full tourist services.
Why Visit Ketchikan, Alaska?
Framed by fjords and temperate rainforest, this Alaskan town draws travelers for fishing, native culture and dramatic wilderness access. Creek Street’s historic boardwalk and totem pole parks showcase the area’s Tlingit and Haida heritage, while local smokehouses serve fresh salmon and other seafood. Boats depart nearby for Misty Fjords National Monument and excursions into Tongass National Forest. For visitors who want wildlife, craft traditions and reliable access to wild places, it’s an ideal coastal hub.
Best Things to Do in Ketchikan, Alaska
Island
Annette Island
Alaskan island hosting the Tsimshian community Metlakatla
Island
Gravina Island
Alaskan island near Ketchikan with forested coastline
Island
Gravina Islands
Group of islands in Alaska's Alexander Archipelago
Ketchikan, Alaska Bucket List
Don't Miss
Creek Street - Historic boardwalk built over Ketchikan Creek lined with shops and seafood cafés.
Totem Heritage Center - Museum preserving and explaining native totem poles, carving traditions and indigenous history.
Southeast Alaska Native Cultural displays - Local galleries and cultural centres showcasing Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian art.
Hidden Gems
Tongass National Forest trails - Short forest walks offering waterfalls, old-growth trees and close wildlife-spotting opportunities.
Local salmon markets - Fresh-caught salmon sellers near the harbour offering seasonal tasting and local knowledge.
Dolbeer historic cannery exhibits - Small interpretive exhibits describing Ketchikan’s early cannery and fishing industry heritage.
Day Trips
Misty Fjords National Monument boat trip - Dramatic fjord scenery, waterfalls and wildlife accessible by day cruises from Ketchikan.
Totem Bight and Saxman Village - Nearby cultural sites with carved totems, traditional clan houses and interpretive displays.
Best Time to Visit Ketchikan, Alaska
Ketchikan is best from late spring into early summer when daylight and calmer weather improve wildlife and fishing opportunities. Expect frequent rain year-round, with cool temperatures even in summer.
Winter
Winters are wet and dark with short daylight-ferries and tours run, but expect heavy rain, occasional snow, and limited hiking windows.
Spring
Spring offers increasing daylight, burgeoning greenery, and better chances for calmer weather-prime time for wildlife viewing before peak cruise season.
Summer
Summer is the driest and warmest season, great for fishing, kayaking and glacier day trips-pack layers for chilly mornings and wet afternoons.
Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 18°C. Heavy rainfall (3690 mm/year), wettest in October.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -2° - 4° | -3° | 339 mm | overcast | 93% | 4.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.6h |
| February | Poor | -1° - 5° | -1° | 302 mm | overcast | 90% | 4.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.4h |
| March | Poor | 0° - 7° | 0° | 274 mm | overcast | 88% | 4.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.7h |
| April | Poor | 2° - 10° | 3° | 277 mm | overcast | 84% | 4.0 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.0h |
| May | Poor | 5° - 13° | 7° | 224 mm | overcast | 82% | 3.8 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 16.0h |
| June | Acceptable | 9° - 17° | 13° | 185 mm | overcast | 83% | 3.6 m/s | 1.1 high | 17.1h |
| July | Acceptable | 11° - 18° | 14° | 170 mm | overcast | 86% | 3.3 m/s | 1.1 high | 16.6h |
| August | Acceptable | 11° - 18° | 15° | 242 mm | overcast | 87% | 3.2 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 14.8h |
| September | Acceptable | 8° - 15° | 12° | 325 mm | overcast | 89% | 3.4 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 12.6h |
| October | Poor | 5° - 10° | 5° | 563 mm | overcast | 91% | 4.0 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.3h |
| November | Poor | 1° - 6° | 0° | 415 mm | overcast | 93% | 4.3 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.1h |
| December | Poor | -1° - 4° | -2° | 374 mm | overcast | 93% | 4.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.9h |
How to Get to Ketchikan, Alaska
Ketchikan is a coastal town in Southeast Alaska served primarily by regional flights and the Alaska Marine Highway ferry. Air travel from Anchorage or Juneau and ferry connections are the usual ways to arrive; there is no long‑distance rail access.
Ketchikan International Airport (KTN): Ketchikan has its own airport serving Southeast Alaska with scheduled flights from Anchorage, Juneau and other regional hubs. To get from KTN into the city centre you can take a taxi (≈10-15 minutes) or the Alaska Marine Highway/floatplane connections depending on season; expect short transfer times and moderate local fares.
Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC): For international or mainland connections many travellers fly via Anchorage then take a regional flight to Ketchikan (≈1-2 hours). From Anchorage, regional carriers operate scheduled services to Ketchikan - check carrier schedules and seasonal variations.
Train: There is no national passenger rail service to Ketchikan; Alaska’s rail network (Alaska Railroad) does not reach Southeast Alaska.
Bus / Ferry: The Alaska Marine Highway (state ferry system) is an important transport link to Ketchikan from other Southeast communities and for vehicle transport. Local buses and shuttles operate within Ketchikan for short trips; for travel between towns the ferry is often the only public option.
How to Get Around Ketchikan, Alaska
Ketchikan is best reached by regional flight or ferry. Within town, walking and local shuttles are usually sufficient; water taxis and floatplanes serve nearby islands and remote spots.
- Regional flights (Moderate (varies by route and season)) - Scheduled flights connect Ketchikan with Anchorage, Juneau and other Southeast hubs; airlines such as Alaska Airlines and regional carriers operate services. Flights are the fastest way to reach the town from mainland Alaska and are frequent in summer.
- Alaska Marine Highway (ferry) (Moderate (depends on distance & vehicle)) - State ferries link Ketchikan with other Southeast Alaska communities and are essential for travellers with vehicles or who prefer a maritime route. Schedules are seasonal and crossings can be long; book vehicle space in advance.
- Local bus / shuttle (Low-moderate) - Local transit and shuttle services connect the airport, cruise docks and town; services are convenient for short hops and to major termini. Frequency varies with cruise season demand.
- Water taxi / floatplane (High) - Water taxis and floatplanes provide fast point‑to‑point travel to nearby islands and remote lodges. These are quick and scenic but more expensive than ferries.
- Car / Taxi (Moderate-High) - Taxis and rental cars are available but Ketchikan is compact - many visitors rely on walking and local shuttles. Driving is useful if you need to reach outlying lodges or trailheads.
- Walking - Ketchikan’s downtown and waterfront are compact and very walkable; much of the town is best explored on foot, especially the Creek Street area and waterfront attractions.
Where to Stay in Ketchikan, Alaska
Budget
Downtown/Ketchikan Creek - $90-160/night
Ketchikan has limited budget chain options and several small inns near the harbour and Creek Street.
Best Western Plus Landing Hotel & Spa - Reliable chain near downtown docks.
Ketchikan Visitor Info listings - Local lodging directory (many small inns).
Mid-Range
Downtown/Creek Street - $150-250/night
Comfortable mid-range hotels clustered by the harbour and Creek Street; good for tours and fishing trips.
Cape Fox Lodge - Convenient downtown location, Native art displays.
The Creek Street Inn - Boutique B&B on historic Creek Street.
Luxury
Harbourfront - $220-400+/night
Luxury choices are limited; expect waterfront rooms and higher prices during cruise season.
The Baranof Hotel (Harborside) - Upscale harbour views and rooms.
The Peter Pan Resort - Higher-end beachfront-style lodging.
Where to Eat in Ketchikan, Alaska
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Ketchikan, Alaska’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Ketchikan, Alaska
Ketchikan’s nightlife is modest but lively enough for a small port town: waterfront bars, pubs and music venues host evenings that cater to locals and cruise visitors alike. Summer sees the most activity, with many places open late. If you’re seeking a busy late-night club scene, options are limited; plan for relaxed live music, seafood dinners and pub atmospheres instead.
Shopping in Ketchikan, Alaska
Shopping in Ketchikan focuses on Alaska Native art, totem-carving shops and tourist-oriented stores along Creek Street and the waterfront. You’ll find galleries selling carvings, jewelry and locally made souvenirs. Many shops cater to cruise visitors and local art collectors; look for authentic pieces and ask about provenance when buying native art.