Ketchikan Highlights, Saxman Native Village, and Lumberjack Show from Ketchikan

Experience overview

Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the rich Native culture of Southeast Alaska on this engaging Ketchikan experience. Upon arrival at Saxman Native Village, you will be welcomed by a host in the Tlingit dialect and guided to the Beaver Clan House. Inside the Beaver Clan House, you will witness a vibrant performance by the renowned Cape Fox Dancers. Through rhythmic drumming, traditional regalia, atmospheric lighting, and ceremonial props, the songs and dances share stories of the village's warrior men and women and the enduring spirit of Tlingit culture. Following the performance, your host will lead you through the canoe canopy, where you will learn about traditional canoe building and fishing practices. You will also visit the Carving Center to observe skilled artisans as they carve and paint totem poles using techniques passed down through generations. Your visit continues in the totem pole park, where interpretive displays explain the figures carved into each pole and the cultural meaning and history they represent. In addition to your time at Saxman Native Village, you will enjoy the action-packed Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show in Ketchikan. This lively head-to-head competition celebrates Alaska's logging heritage with thrilling demonstrations of strength, agility, and skill, bringing a colorful chapter of the region's past to life. Experiencing the Saxman Native Village together with the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show offers a memorable introduction to the culture, traditions, and history that shape Ketchikan today.