Ketchikan is the fifth most populous city in the U.S. state of Alaska and the southeastern most sizable city in that state. Ketchikan’s economy is based upon tourism and fishing, and the city is known as the “Salmon Capital of the World.” The Misty Fjords National Monument is one of the area’s major attractions.

Ketchikan is named after Ketchikan Creek, which flows through the town. Ketchikan comes from the Tlingit name for the creek, Kitschk-hin, the meaning of which is unclear, although it may mean “the river belonging to Kitschk.” Ketchikan also has the world’s largest collection of standing totem poles located at three major locations: Saxman Village, Totem Bight, and the Totem Heritage Center.
The town is perched on the shores of Ketchikan Creek and the Tongass Narrows on Revillagigedo Island in Southeast Alaska, within the Tongass National Forest.

From the southeast side of the Salmon Landing Building at the Dockside Gallery, enjoy views of mountains, sea and the Cruise ships. Ketchikan is where many cruise ships dock and its historic downtown area, nestled between ocean and mountains, is crowded with tourists in the summer. The town sits atop steep hills and is supported on wooden pilings, with numerous boardwalks, staircases and totem poles. Dozens of canneries have made it the “salmon capital of the world.”

Ketchikan has a population of 14,500 and is built along a steep hillside, with sections of the town built right over the water on pilings. An outstanding collection of totem poles make a visit to Ketchikan essential for anyone interested in Native art. Ketchikan’s name supposedly comes from the native term “Katch Kanna”, which roughly translates: “spread wings of a thundering eagle” and rightly named, for you only need to look along the water line and you’re likely to see many bald eagles on waterside perches.

Our beautiful town is located on the western coast of Revillagigedo Island, near the southernmost boundary of Alaska. It is 679 miles north of Seattle and 235 miles south of Juneau. The 2.2 million acre Misty Fjords National Monument lies 22 air miles east of Ketchikan. Ketchikan is the first Alaska port of call for northbound cruise ships and State ferries.

It lies at approximately 55° 20′ N Latitude, 131° 38′ W Longitude. The area encompasses 3 sq. miles of land and 1 sq. miles of water. The area lies in the maritime climate zone noted for its warm winters, cool summers, and heavy precipitation. Summer temperatures range from 51 to 65; winter temperatures range from 29 to 39. Ketchikan averages 162 inches (13.5 feet) of precipitation annually, including 32 inches of snowfall.