Ketchikan
Ketchikan is a port city in southeastern Alaska with the world's largest collection of standing totem poles, the historic Creek Street and access to Misty Fjords National Monument.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Ketchikan is a city on Revillagigedo Island in southeastern Alaska, the state's southeasternmost major settlement. Deer Mountain rises just east of downtown, so the town is long and narrow, with most buildings near the waterfront. It is known as Alaska's first city because it sits at the southern tip of the Inside Passage, the sea route linking the Gulf of Alaska to Puget Sound.
You can reach the city by air or by ship. Ketchikan International Airport is on Gravina Island, across the half-mile-wide Tongass Narrows, so a ferry or boat is needed to get into town from the airport. Alaska Airlines flies nonstop from Ketchikan to Seattle in about ninety minutes. In 2018, 40 cruise ships made more than 500 stops in Ketchikan Harbour. Rain falls in every month, and the yearly average is about 149.54 inches, so pack rain gear whatever the season.
Ketchikan in five
- Book Misty Fjords flights or boats earlyFlightseeing and boat tours into Misty Fjords National Monument are the main trips from town and sell out on cruise days. Weather can cancel flights, so plan a flexible day.Tours and tickets
- Walk Creek Street and the totem sitesCreek Street is a boardwalk over the creek, and totem pole parks lie a short drive from the docks. Check each site's hours and fees before you go.
- Pack for rainKetchikan is one of the rainiest towns in the US. A rain jacket and waterproof shoes matter more than extra layers, even in summer.
- Use the airport ferryThe airport is on Gravina Island across the channel, and a short ferry crosses to town. Allow extra time on the day you fly out.
- Pair with Juneau on the Inside PassageJuneau is the next main stop, reachable by air or ferry.Juneau
Things to do in Ketchikan
See all attractions in Ketchikan
Need to know
- Airport
- Ketchikan International (KTN) on Gravina Island; short ferry to town
- Getting there
- Flight from Seattle or Juneau; cruise ship or Alaska Marine Highway ferry
- Getting around
- Walk downtown; buses and taxis for totem sites and trails
- Best base
- Downtown near the docks and Creek Street
- Time needed
- 1–3 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain22 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh3°Low0°Rain, snowJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 363 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, snow
- FebruaryRain17 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh3°Low-1°Rain, coldFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 229 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, cold
- MarchRain19 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh5°Low1°Wet, quietMarchRain
Poor
- High
- 5°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 224 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, quiet
- AprilRain18 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low4°Spring, rainAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 225 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, rain
- MayRain17 rainy daysHigh12°Low7°Season startsMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 247 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Season starts
- JuneRain16 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°Long daysJuneRain
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 180 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyRain15 rainy daysHigh17°Low12°Cruise, salmonJulyRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 159 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cruise, salmon
- AugustRain16 rainy daysHigh17°Low12°Cruise, rainAugustRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 240 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cruise, rain
- SeptemberRain18 rainy daysHigh14°Low10°Rain, fewer shipsSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 356 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, fewer ships
- OctoberRain19 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh9°Low6°Wet, quietOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 408 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Wet, quiet
- NovemberRain23 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh6°Low3°Wet, darkNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 468 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, dark
- DecemberRain20 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh3°Low0°Cold, darkDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 474 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, dark
Average daily high and low in Ketchikan, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Ketchikan
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 3°
- Humidity
- 98%
- Wind
- 18 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Ketchikan
12:56 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today8°3°100%Monday: Rain. High 8°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue9°2°98%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Wed10°7°100%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 10°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu8°6°100%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 8°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Fri8°3°100%Friday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sat6°4°95%Saturday: Rain. High 6°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 95%.
- Sun9°6°96%Sunday: Rain. High 9°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 96%.
Updated 12:07 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Misty Fjords National Monumentby floatplane or boatCliffs and fjords. Book a tour; weather can cancel flights.
- Totem pole parksabout 10–20 min by car or busTotem poles and a carving shop outside downtown.
- Juneauby air or ferry; check schedulesAlaska's capital and the glacier road.Read the guide
Before you go to Ketchikan
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Ketchikan, checked
- Check US entry rules at travel.state.gov before you fly to Ketchikan. Visa requirements depend on your passport and country of citizenship.Source
- Travelers from Visa Waiver countries need an approved ESTA before boarding. Apply only through the official CBP site at esta.cbp.dhs.gov.Source
- Many poles at Saxman and Totem Bight are modern recarvings of older poles. The Totem Heritage Center holds preserved 19th-century poles rescued from abandoned village sites near Ketchikan.
- In 2018, 40 cruise ships made more than 500 stops in Ketchikan Harbour, so downtown and Creek Street get crowded on ship days. Check official tourism information from the Ketchikan Visitor's Bureau before you plan a walk.
Plan around Ketchikan
Parks, cities and trip planning for visitors
Read the guideJuneauAlaska's capital and Mendenhall Glacier
Read the guideAnchorageAlaska's largest city, the usual hub
Read the guideDenali National ParkInterior Alaska by road from Anchorage or Fairbanks
Read the guideESTA explainedWho needs it, the fee and how to apply
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical cover for visitors to the US
Read the guideKetchikan FAQ
How many days do you need in Ketchikan?
One day covers Creek Street, a totem site and a short tour. Add two days for Misty Fjords, a hike or a fishing trip.
Is Ketchikan worth visiting?
Yes, for totem poles, scenery and Southeast Alaska atmosphere. It works best as a stop on an Inside Passage trip rather than a stand-alone vacation.
What is the best time to visit Ketchikan?
June to August for the longest days and the most tours, with May and September quieter. Expect rain in every month.
Can you fly to Ketchikan?
Yes. Alaska Airlines connects Ketchikan with Seattle and other Alaska cities. The airport is on Gravina Island, with a short ferry to town.
Do you need a car in Ketchikan?
Not for downtown. Totem sites and trails are reachable by bus, taxi or tour, and you can rent a car if you want to explore the road system.