Things to do in Ketchikan
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Naha Bay
From Settler's Cove State Park, it's an 8-mile paddle to Naha Bay, the destination of an excellent three- or four-day adventure. At the head of the bay is a floating dock where you can leave your kayak and set off down the Naha River National Recreation Trail. The scenic 5.4-mile trail follows the river up to Jordan and Heckman Lakes, both of which have USFS cabins.
The fishing here is good and black bears are plentiful - in August you might see them catching salmon at a small waterfall 2 miles up the trail from Roosevelt Lagoon.
A narrow outlet connects Naha Bay with Roosevelt Lagoon. You don't have to enter the lagoon to access the trail. Kayakers wishing to paddle into …
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Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show
Who knew that chopping wood could be so entertaining? When the lumberjacks are at the peak of their axe-and-saw battles you can hear the crowd cheering all the way to the cruise-ship docks. One of the premier cruise ship-oriented attractions, the hourlong show features 'rugged woodsmen' using handsaws and axes, climbing poles, log rolling and engaging in other activities that real loggers haven't engaged in since the invention of the chainsaw.
Naturally there's also a gift shop where you can buy wide suspenders, red plaid woolies, frilly underwear and other lumberjack-themed necessities. There are three to four shows daily from May to September at the outdoor grandstand j…
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George & Carroll Inlets
From Hole in the Wall Bar & Marina, 7½ miles southeast of Ketchikan down the S Tongass Hwy, you can start an easy one- to four-day paddle north into both George & Carroll Inlets. Each inlet is protected from the area's prevailing southwesterlies, so the water is usually calm (although north winds occasionally whip down George Inlet). From Hole in the Wall to the top of George Inlet is a 26-mile paddle.
While not on the same dramatic scale as Misty Fiords, the two inlets are scenic. Highlights include Herring Bay, a mile north of Hole in the Wall, which attracts lots of salmon and seagulls; and Mahoney Inlet, 8 miles north, which has beautiful waterfalls.
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Deer Mountain Tribal Hatchery & Eagle Center
A bridge across Ketchikan Creek links the Totem Heritage Center with the Deer Mountain Tribal Hatchery & Eagle Center. The hatchery raises 350,000 king salmon, coho salmon, steelhead and rainbow trout annually and releases them into the nearby stream. In July or later, you'll see not only the salmon fry but returning adult fish swimming upstream to spawn.
The center also maintains an eagle pavilion, home to a pair of eagles who were injured and can no longer fly. Thus the 25-minute tours are dubbed 'Live Eagles & Salmon', providing an interesting lesson in the salmon's life cycle and an opportunity to get close and personal to our national symbol.
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Dude Mountain Trail
Ketchikan's Dude Mountain Trail is an alpine trek reached from Revilla Rd by turning right on Brown Mountain Rd, 5 miles from N Tongass Hwy. At the end of Brown Mountain Rd is the trailhead for Dude Mountain Trail, which begins as a boardwalk through stands of old-growth spruce then becomes a trail as you follow a narrow ridge to the 2848ft peak.
It's a mile's trek and a gain of 1200ft to the top, but once there you're in open alpine and can easily ridge-walk to Diana Mountain (3014ft) or Brown Mountain (2978ft). Plan on two hours for the round-trip to Dude Mountain.
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Upland Way Stairs
All over Ketchikan there are stairways leading somewhere higher. Sure, they're knee-bending climbs, but the reward for your exertion is great views from the top.
Heading back west along Dock St, just past the Ketchikan Daily News Building, is Edmond St, also called the Street of Stairs for obvious reasons. Heading down Park Ave from the hatchery, you'll pass the Upland Way Stairs that climb to a viewpoint. Nearby is a bridge across Ketchikan Creek, the site of a fish ladder and one end of Married Man's Trail - a delightful boardwalk leading back to Creek St.
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Street of Stairs
All over Ketchikan there are stairways leading somewhere higher. Sure, they're knee-bending climbs, but the reward for your exertion is great views from the top.
Heading back west along Dock St, just past the Ketchikan Daily News Building, is Edmond St, also called the Street of Stairs for obvious reasons. Heading down Park Ave from the hatchery, you'll pass the Upland Way stairs that climb to a viewpoint. Nearby is a bridge across Ketchikan Creek, the site of a fish ladder and one end of Married Man's Trail - a delightful boardwalk leading back to Creek St.
reviewed
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Married Man's Trail
All over Ketchikan there are stairways leading somewhere higher. Sure, they're knee-bending climbs, but the reward for your exertion is great views from the top.
Heading back west along Dock St, just past the Ketchikan Daily News Building, is Edmond St, also called the Street of Stairs for obvious reasons. Heading down Park Ave from the hatchery, you'll pass the Upland Way stairs that climb to a viewpoint. Nearby is a bridge across Ketchikan Creek, the site of a fish ladder and one end of Married Man's Trail - a delightful boardwalk leading back to Creek St.
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Creek Street
Departing from Stedman St is Creek Street, a boardwalk built over Ketchikan Creek on pilings - a photographer's delight. This was Ketchikan's famed red-light district until prostitution became illegal in 1954. During Creek St's heyday, it supported up to 30 brothels and became known as the only place in Alaska where 'the fishermen and the fish went upstream to spawn'.
The house with bright red trim is Dolly's House, the parlor of the city's most famous madam, Dolly Arthur. Now it's a museum dedicated to this notorious era.
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Betton Island
Due west of Settler's Cove State Park at the north end (Mile 18.2) of N Tongass Hwy is this island and several smaller islands nearby, making it an excellent day paddle if you're staying at the campground nearby. Although Clover Pass is a highly trafficked area, the backside of Betton Island offers a more wildernesslike setting. Pack a tent and sleeping bag and you can turn this into an overnight excursion by camping on the great beaches of Tatoosh Islands on the west side of Betton Island.
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Deer Mountain Trail
Most Ketchikan-area trails are either out of town or must be reached by boat. The major exception is Deer Mountain Trail, a well-maintained 2½-mile trail that begins near downtown. The trailhead is near the southeast end of Fair St and the route climbs to the 3000ft summit of Deer Mountain. Overlooks along the way provide panoramic views - the first is about a mile up the trail. Toward the top of the mountain is a free-use shelter and more trails into the alpine region.
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Bike Hire
The only place to rent a bike downtown is the gift shop at the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, which has mountain bikes. Ketchikan has two bicycle trails along Tongass Ave. The most scenic is the 2½-mile trail that follows the water from the downtown area to Saxman Totem Park. The other trail follows N Tongass Hwy to Ward Lake Recreation Area, a one-way ride of 6.4 miles.
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Southeast Exposure Kayaks
Ketchikan serves as the base for some of the best kayaking in Southeast. Possibilities include anything from an easy paddle around the waterfront to a weeklong trip in Misty Fiords National Monument. Rent kayaks from Southeast Exposure Kayaks, 14 miles north of town, convenient if you're paddling out of Settler's Cove State Park, a logistic headache if you're not.
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Tongass Historical Museum
Sharing a building with the Ketchikan Public Library is the Tongass Historical Museum, which houses a small collection of local historical and Alaska Native artifacts, many dealing with Ketchikan's fishing industry. Outside the museum you'll find the impressive Raven Stealing the Sun totem and an observation platform overlooking the Ketchikan Creek falls.
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Thomas Basin
If you thought Creek St was photogenic, cross Stedman St and be ready to burn some film (or megapixels). Thomas Basin is home to Ketchikan's fishing fleet and the city's most picturesque harbor. When the boats come in you can photograph them unloading their catch and then follow the crews to the colorful Potlatch Bar nearby, a classic fisherman's pub.
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That One Place
The owners of Bar Harbor Restaurant have turned the café at the New York Hotel into one of the best places for breakfast or lunch. Practically everything on the lunch menu is seafood related. Let's face it - if you're in Alaska long enough you'll eventually order halibut tacos. You might as well do it here, where the locals rave about them.
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Ward Lake Nature Walk
The easy 1.3-mile Ward Lake Nature Walk , an interpretive loop around Ward Lake, begins near the parking area at the lake's north end. Beavers, birds and the occasional black bear might be seen. To reach the lake, follow N Tongass Hwy 7 miles from downtown to Ward Cove; turn right on Revilla Rd and continue up 1½ miles to Ward Lake Rd.
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Steamers at the Dock
The view from this waterfront restaurant's 3rd-floor perch is wonderful if there's not a cruise ship docked in front of it, which is usually the case during the summer. The menu features many unusual seafood dishes - crab-stuffed oysters among them - while at the bar they pour an excellent selection of microbrews.
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Southeast Sea Kayaks
The 3-mile Deer Mountain Trail begins near the city center and provides access to the alpine world above the timberline and wonderful views of the town. There are more trails in the Ward Lake Recreation Area. Southeast Sea Kayaks offers rentals and guided trips.
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Alaska Dive & Snorkel Tours
Takes out groups no larger than six people for a snorkeling encounters with the marine life on the bottom of the Narrows: sea anemones, starfish and whatever happens to come swimming along. The three-hour snorkel tours include all the equipment, most importantly a wetsuit to stay warm in Alaska's frigid waters.
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Perseverance Trail
The 2.3-mile (one way) Perseverance Trail from Ward Lake to Perseverance Lake passes through mature coastal forest and muskeg. The view of Perseverance Lake with its mountainous backdrop is spectacular, and the hiking is moderately easy. The trailhead is on Ward Lake's east side just past 3C's Campground.
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Tongass Trading Company
Ketchikan serves as the base for some of the best kayaking in Southeast. Possibilities include anything from an easy paddle around the waterfront to a weeklong trip in Misty Fiords National Monument. Pick up outdoor supplies from Tongass Trading Company, across from the Gilmore Hotel.
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Alaska Amphibious Tours
Using three amphibian vehicles that double as a bus and a boat to provide 90-minute tours of the downtown area and the harbor. The top-heavy vehicle puts you 8ft above anything on the road for a great view, but sharp turns have you gripping the seat in front.
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Chico's
From the minute you walk in you know this small downtown cantina serves good burritos and tacos by its colorful Mexican-themed interior. But when you open the menu you discover it also serves a decent pizza. Hey, they're just trying to make a living.
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Ocean View Restaurant
Ketchikan's best Mexican restaurant offers 10 types of burritos, seven sizzling fajita dishes and, in that great Alaskan tradition, pasta and pizza. Come early and grab one of the three tables with an unobstructed view of the Narrows.
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