Saxman Totem Park, Ketchikan (must see)

Saxman Totem Park, located just two miles south of Ketchikan in the small city of Saxman, is home to one of the largest collections of standing totem poles in the world. This extraordinary site features 25 totems, many of which are authentic replicas of historic poles originally carved in the 18th and 19th centuries. These pieces were salvaged from abandoned Tlingit villages such as Old Tongass, Cat Island, and Village Island, then restored or re-created by skilled Native carvers under a 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps program. Among the treasures at the park is a marble statue of a grizzly bear, recovered from one of the deserted sites and now displayed as part of the collection. The park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Totem pole carving flourished during the mid-1700s through the late 1800s, a period when the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples gained economic prosperity through the fur trade. This wealth allowed carvers to focus on their intricate artistry, using totems as a powerful storytelling medium. Each pole represents a dense tapestry of cultural lore, ancestral lineage, and spiritual symbolism-a kind of historical record carved into cedar. The totems at Saxman Totem Park are more than decorative; they are rich visual narratives that speak of clan legends, epic battles, and revered animals and ancestors.

Visitors can explore the open-air park for a modest entry fee or take part in guided tours that delve into the meanings behind each totem. The on-site clan house hosts cultural performances, including traditional Native dancing, and visitors can also observe master carvers at work in the carving shed, keeping ancestral techniques alive.