Potlatch Park stands on the shore of the Tongass Narrows immediately beside Totem Bight State Historical Park, on land that was once part of the same Native fishing ground. It is privately owned and was developed in the 2000s as a re-creation of a 19th-century village: a large clan house flanked by smaller tribal houses, a set of totem poles carved on site, and a carving centre.
A potlatch is the great ceremonial feast of the Northwest Coast peoples, at which a host family marks an event — a memorial, a marriage, the raising of a pole — by feeding and giving gifts to its guests. The park takes its name from that tradition. It is less formal than the state park next door, and coach tours often stop at both.
Top things to do: Potlatch Park
The clan house and tribal houses
The main house has carved interior house posts and a painted screen, and the smaller houses show different regional building styles. Guides explain how such houses were lived in and what the crests mean.
The carving centre
Resident carvers work on poles commissioned from across the country, and are usually glad to explain the stages from raw cedar log to finished, painted pole.
Totem poles on the shore
A group of tall poles faces the water, including some of the tallest in the Ketchikan area — good for photographs with the Narrows behind.
Antique cars and firearms
An unexpected extra: a small museum of vintage cars and a collection of antique firearms, reflecting the owner’s interests rather than Native culture.
How to get there
- Location: about 10 miles north of downtown on the North Tongass Highway, next to Totem Bight.
- By bus, taxi or car: as for Totem Bight — the two entrances are a couple of minutes’ walk apart.
- By tour: included in several totem and wildlife excursions.
Insider tips
- Entry to the grounds has generally been free, with the gift shop supporting the site; arrangements may change.
- Allow 30–40 minutes, or about an hour and a half for Potlatch Park and Totem Bight together.
- The poles here are new work in a traditional style. For older poles see the Totem Heritage Center.
- Ask before photographing carvers at work.
Best tours for this sight
These bookable Ketchikan excursions fit best with a visit to Potlatch Park:
Guided tour from $85 From Ketchikan: Potlatch Totem Park and Herring Cove Tour
A guided visit to Potlatch Park to discover the art of totem carving, followed by a stop at Herring Cove to look for wildlife — eagles all season and bears when the salmon are in. One of the lowest-priced tours with transport.
- Guided visit to Potlatch Park
- Learn about the art of totem carving
- Wildlife spotting at Herring Cove
Guided tour from $84 Ketchikan: Alaska Native Cultural and Scenic Shore Excursion
A good-value introduction to the Native cultures of Southeast Alaska. You travel north along the coast to Totem Bight State Historical Park, where a guide explains the poles and the clan house, with stops for scenery and wildlife on the way. The most-reviewed Ketchikan tour on the platform.
- Totem Bight State Historical Park with a guide
- Stories of the Haida, Tlingit and Tsimshian peoples
- Chances to spot eagles, salmon and bears along the way
Guided tour from $99 Ketchikan: City Tour, Saxman Village & Salmon Tasting
A guided overview of Ketchikan’s history and landmarks, with a visit to Saxman Native Village to see its famous collection of totem poles and a tasting of smoked salmon. Reviews are more mixed than for other tours, so read the latest before booking.
- Narrated tour of Ketchikan’s landmarks
- Saxman Native Village and its totem poles
- Smoked salmon tasting
