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The best cruise ports to see totem poles in Alaska are Sitka and Ketchikan.

There is also a big totem pole located at the Juneau cruise port, and that will be one of the easiest totem poles to see.

You will see this as you are walking along the main boardwalk along the harbor from the cruise ship.

But, because Sitka and Ketchikan give you more of a totem pole hike surrounded by nature, I think these are the best cruise ports to see totem poles!

I remember learning about totem poles in elementary school, so it was cool to see them in Alaska!

 

Did you know?! US passport pages have totem poles! I am not sure if passport pages have changed recently, but I got my passport in 2016, and there are totem poles on pages 23 and 49. Go check!

 

Now, here’s where to see totem poles during your Alaska cruise!

 

totem poles in alaska. best places to see totem poles in alaska cruise ports
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1. Sitka National Historical Park (Sitka)

where to see totem poles in alaska: sitka totem poles

 

Sitka National Historical Park is one of the best spots to see totem poles on an Alaska cruise!

Visit a national park in Alaska and see totem poles!

There is the Totem Trail at the national park, and it’s a leisurely walk through the forest along the coast to see a number of totem poles.

 

where to see totem poles in alaska: sitka totem poles

where to see totem poles in alaska: sitka totem poles

where to see totem poles in alaska: sitka totem poles

 

There is also a totem pole carving shed.

 

where to see totem pole carving shed in alaska: sitka totem poles

 

You can go to Sitka National Historical Park on your own.

First you’ll take the free shuttle from the Sitka cruise terminal.

Then you can walk the rest of the way to get to the start of Totem Trail!

It is free to go to Sitka National Historical Park.

 

See more about seeing totem poles in Alaska on your own:

 

If your cruise ship will not be going to Sitka, then you can see totem poles in Ketchikan!

 

 

2. Totem Bight State Historical Park (Ketchikan)

where to see totem poles in alaska: ketchikan totem poles. totem poles best alaska cruise port

 

Almost all Alaska cruises go to Ketchikan, and Ketchikan can be a very good port to see totem poles.

One of the best places to see totem poles in Ketchikan is Totem Bight State Historical Park.

This is another leisurely walk through the forest and along the coast to see several totem poles.

At the entrance of the park, be sure to look for the state park brochure in a box for more info about the totem poles!

 

where to see totem poles in alaska: ketchikan totem poles. totem poles best alaska cruise port

where to see totem poles in alaska: ketchikan totem poles. totem poles best alaska cruise port

where to see totem poles in alaska: ketchikan totem poles. totem poles best alaska cruise port

 

You can go to Totem Bight State Historical Park on your own.

There is a bus stop near the Ketchikan cruise port, and you can take a bus to get to there.

There is a $5 entry fee for Totem Bight State Historical Park, to be paid by credit card.

 

See more about seeing totem poles in Alaska on your own:

 

Tours with totem poles:

 

 

 

3. Saxman Park (Ketchikan)

where to see totem poles in alaska: ketchikan totem poles. totem poles best alaska cruise port

 

Saxman Park is another spot in Ketchikan where you can see a collection of totem poles.

Saxman Park doesn’t feel as much of a nature walk as Sitka National Historical Park or Totem Bight State Historical Park.

But it is an easy way to see a number of totem poles near a cruise port on your own.

 

where to see totem poles in alaska: ketchikan totem poles. totem poles best alaska cruise port

 

It’s not so near the cruise port that you will want to walk there… for most people anyway.

It’s around 3 miles from the Ketchikan cruise port to Saxman Park.

I did meet people who did walk to Saxman Park, and then took the bus back, though!

But once again, there is a bus stop near the cruise port, and there is a bus that goes to Saxman Park.

See tips for taking the Ketchikan bus, similar to Totem Bight State Historical Park.

 

See more about seeing totem poles in Alaska on your own:

 

Tours with totem poles:

 

 

4. Chief Johnson totem pole (Ketchikan)

where to see totem poles in alaska: ketchikan totem poles. totem poles best alaska cruise port

 

This is just one totem pole, but chances are that you are going to be in the area.

Creek Street is the most famous historic street in Ketchikan, and you’ll be hearing about it sooner or later as you are researching things to do in Ketchikan.

So if you decide to go to Creek Street like almost everyone else, then the Chief Johnson totem pole is an easy totem pole to see.

It’s located at the Creek Street entrance that is at the junction of the Married Man’s Trail.

 

See more about seeing totem poles in Alaska on your own:

 

 

5. Mount Roberts Loop Trail (Juneau)

There is a collection of totem poles in Juneau in a section of the Mount Roberts Trail that is called the Mount Roberts Alpine Loop Trail.

The Mount Roberts Trail is actually really long, but the Mount Roberts Alpine Loop Trail is a half a mile.

There are a few ways to get to the Mount Roberts Alpine Loop Trail.

The easiest way is to take the Goldbelt Tram up to the top. This is around $50 for a round trip ticket.

The Goldbelt Tram is pretty much at the Juneau cruise port.

Once you are at the top of the tram, the Mount Roberts Alpine Loop Trail is pretty much there, which means the totem poles are pretty much right there too!

There is also a cheaper way to get to the Mount Roberts Alpine Loop Trail, and that is to hike up.

You will need to walk a mile or more to reach the Mount Roberts trailhead. (map)

You can walk to the Mount Roberts trailhead that’s near downtown Juneau if you want the “shorter” hike, which may still take you 1.5 to 2 hours, and it’s pretty much all uphill.

If you want to walk even more, you can start from the Gold Creek Flume trailhead. (map)

The Gold Creek Flume Trail will lead to the Mount Roberts Trail, and from there, it’s all uphill to the top station of the tram to get to the totem poles!

 

 

If you’re interested in totem poles, you will probably be interested in the free 20 to 30 minute show about Native Alaskans that takes place in the theater at the top of the tram.

 

And those are some of the best ways to see totem poles during your Alaska cruise!

 

What I did to give you more ideas for your Alaska cruise:

 

HAPPY SEEING TOTEM POLES IN ALASKA!

 

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There are partner websites included in this post. I may earn a commission.