Saxman Native Village
2660 Killer Whale Ave., Saxman, Alaska
Saxman Native Village celebrates all things Alaskan and Tlingit—totem poles, folklore and dance, lumberjack exploits, and woodcarvers. The village introduces visitors to the customs and culture of Alaska’s Indigenous population, and features the largest collection of totems you’re likely to see.
Saxman Native Village is one of the best places in Ketchikan to learn more about Alaska’s Indigenous cultures. Visitors can tour the grounds on their own, or sign up for a 2-hour village tour led by an Alaskan Native; these tours often include a tour of Totem Park, a visit to the carving shed, and a traditional drumming and dancing performance. A pair of short walking paths through the rainforest offer a glimpse of some of Alaska’s regional flora. Several city sightseeing tours include a visit to Saxman Native Village.
Saxman Native Village is a must-visit for anyone interested in art and Alaska Native cultures.
Tour tickets are available from the gift shop near the entrance to the site.
Some areas of the village are only accessible to visitors who join a guided tour.
The village is wheelchair accessible.
Saxman is 2 miles (3 kilometers) south of Ketchikan on the S. Tongass Highway. It’s possible to walk to the village along the waterfront, or you can catch a city bus or free shuttle from Ketchikan.
The village is open daily throughout the year, though guided tours are only offered during peak season (May to September).
The village is home to Saxman Totem Park and its collection of 25 totem poles, which are authentic restored, or replicated, poles that were collected nearly a century ago from abandoned villages around southeastern Alaska. Here you can learn more about the symbols, storytelling, and history of these towering works of art, some of which document a particular point in time, such as the first sighting of a white man in the region, represented by the "Lincoln Pole."
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