"Alaska's Gateway" Top 5 Page for this destination Ketchikan by emilienoelle

Ketchikan Travel Guide: 221 reviews and 533 photos

Tlingit Totems, Totem Bight State Park - Ketchikan
Tlingit Totems, Totem Bight State Park

Ketchikan is known as the "Gateway to Alaska" as it is the state's southernmost city. Because of this the climate in Ketchikan is actually quite mild. The city gets very little snow in the wintertime and the temperatures there seldom get very hot or very cold. It does however get an incredible amount of rain. It is one of the greenest places I have ever been, and very, very beautiful.

King Salmon
Halibut Totem - Ketchikan

Halibut Totem

Ketchikan is also known as the "Salmon Capitol of the World" because apparently more of the fish are caught and processed there than anyplace else on earth. The downtown is home to several canneries which process millions of pounds of salmon each year during the short summer season. They are closed during the winter months.

The city is also home to a number of rivers and streams where salmon come to spawn in the early fall each year. The salmon run, as it's called, attracts many visitors to Ketchikan including bears and bald eagles as well as people.

Salmon from Ketchikan are also the best that I've ever eaten. I love fish and have tried salmon from all parts of Scandinavia and Nova Scotia in Canada--don't even get me going about the farmed variety--and Ketchikan's is the best, no contest.

Rain Forest and Wildlife
Where the forest meets the sea - Ketchikan

Where the forest meets the sea

Ketchikan's location in the mountains and copious rainfall create a temperate rain forest environment that is home to many types of wildlife not often seen in the lower 48. Bald eagles, bears, wolves and many other kinds of animals are plentiful here. The forests themselves are amazingly beautiful and wild, especially when they come right down to the edge of the sea. It doesn't get much nicer than this anywhere.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Gorgeous and wild
  • Cons:Rains every day
  • Last visit to Ketchikan: Aug 2006
  • Intro Updated Oct 18, 2006
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Reviews (8)

Plan to Get Wet! - Ketchikan Plan to Get Wet! What to Pack (1)

Since Ketchikan is located in a rain forest, meaning that it rains there nearly every day of the year, it's a good... more travel advice

Haida Master Carver Eagle Totem - Ketchikan Totem Poles Local Customs (1)

The totem poles one sees in Ketchikan are mostly made by people from the Tlingit tribe, but some are also made by... more travel advice

A tree growing from the stump of another tree - Ketchikan Bedrock and Sand Favorites (2)

Here is one kind of interesting thing that I learned about Ketchikan while I was there: The town and its surrounding... more travel advice

Ketchikan Forest - Ketchikan Hiking Things to Do (3)

Ketchikan is surrounded by the Tongass National Forest and several other state forests and wooded areas. It's mild... more travel advice

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