Ketchikan Rainforest & Totem Park: guided walk

The totem poles here were all carved by the same artist, and you see them after the forest.

A 2.75-hour walking tour of the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary near Ketchikan, led by a naturalist guide through mountain forest and marine estuary habitat, followed by a visit to the first Tsimshian totem pole park in the country with 17 poles and a 40-foot centerpiece carved by one carver. The tour operates in all weather and includes an air-conditioned vehicle for transport; moderate fitness is needed for the forest sections.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Ketchikan Rainforest Sanctuary

• Join naturalist-led ecotour
• Hike through lush rainforest trail
• Stop at wildlife viewing areas
• Observe bald eagles, bears, salmon
• Discover local estuary ecosystem
• Visit Tsimshian totem pole park
• Learn about totem pole carving

The Experience

The tour starts at Herring Cove, where you walk a trail through the rainforest with stops at viewing areas built to catch wildlife. A naturalist guide explains the ecosystem as you move through—the forest itself is home to black bears, bald eagles and deer, and the adjacent estuary draws seals and salmon, especially during spawning season. The guide handles the interpretation; you handle the pace through the marked trail, with time to photograph and absorb what you're seeing.

After the forest section, you move to the totem pole park. This is the first Tsimshian totem park in the country, and the 17 poles plus the 40-foot central pole were all carved by the same artist. You'll see them at a historic sawmill site where carving still happens, so the work is not behind glass—it's part of an active place. The guide explains the symbolism and technique while you walk among the poles.

Transport between sections happens in an air-conditioned vehicle. The whole experience runs 2.75 hours. Dress for rain and variable weather; the tour operates regardless of conditions. The forest trail requires moderate fitness, though all surfaces in the totem park are wheelchair accessible.

What’s included

Naturalist guide leading the walk and explaining the ecosystem and totem carving; air-conditioned vehicle for transport between the rainforest and totem park.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendly

Operated by Kawanti Adventures

Is this one for you?Most rainforest tours in Ketchikan skip the totem poles or rush through them as an afterthought. This one builds the whole day around both—you get the forest and the wildlife, then you spend real time among 17 poles carved by one artist, so the carving itself becomes part of what you understand, not just a photo stop on the way out.

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Top questions

What wildlife might I actually see on the rainforest walk?

Black bears, bald eagles, deer, seals and salmon live in the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary and the estuary at Herring Cove. Sightings depend on the season and time of day, but the guide knows where to position the group for the best chances and will explain what you're looking at.

How difficult is the rainforest trail?

The trail requires at least moderate physical fitness. You walk through a mountain forest with stops at viewing areas, but the pace is set by the group and the guide, not a race. Sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing matter more than speed.

Can I get close to the totem poles and take photos?

Yes. The totem pole park is designed for walking among the 17 poles, and the guide will explain the carving and symbolism of each. The historic sawmill setting gives you plenty of angles for photographs.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

The tour includes the naturalist guide and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle. Bring weather-appropriate clothing—rain gear is essential—and sturdy walking shoes. Food, drinks and gratuities are not included.

Is the totem park accessible for wheelchairs?

Yes, all areas and surfaces in the totem pole park are wheelchair accessible. The rainforest trail itself is not wheelchair-accessible, but you can still join the tour and spend your time at the totem park section.

How long do I spend in the forest versus at the totem park?

The 2.75-hour tour includes the forest walk, the estuary viewing, transport between sections and the totem pole park. The guide structures the time to give you meaningful time at both, though the exact split depends on wildlife activity and group pace.