Totem Bight State Park - Ketchikan

Good afternoon, Alaska specialists!!

Ketchikan is one of the ports on our September sailing to Alaska and we are only there from 7am - 1pm. I'm not completely sure of what to do there but I've seen a lot about Totem Bight State Park. It looks pretty interesting and since the port stop is so short I figured it would be an easy thing to see before heading back into town for shopping/snacks. HAL charges $44.95pp for their excursion which seems like a decent price but some reviewers stated they felt a bit rushed at the park to get in more "drive-by touring" in the city. Is it possible to go there on one's own via bus or taxi? If so, would it be cheaper than through HAL? Is it even worth seeing?

I do want to disclose that we are not especially interested in the floatplane and helicopter type tours [or fishing] that seem to dominate this port so this seemed like one of the few alternate options.

Thanks in advance!

You haven't done your homework. :) :) :) (here is is)

You've got to be kidding- with the HAL, Totem Bight "tour". :) :)

Anyway- sure people take it and enjoy it, but the options are significant.

It is darn simple and easy- get off your cruise ship- IF you tell me what dock I will give you even more information. :)

At 7:25a get on the Silver Ketchikan city bus ( you cross the street at the port, bus sign is on the corner of Dock Street). Ride the bus out to Totem Bight- they drop you off right there. That early the kiosk is not open, so, take with you a copy of the Totem Guide. Will enhance your lovely walk. verify the bus schedule and pick up the bus, back to downtown Ketchikan. $1 each way. ALL you need.

http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/totembgh.htm

Have a great time!!!!!!

You haven't done your homework. :) :) :) (here is is)

 

You've got to be kidding- with the HAL, Totem Bight "tour". :) :)

 

Anyway- sure people take it and enjoy it, but the options are significant.

 

It is darn simple and easy- get off your cruise ship- IF you tell me what dock I will give you even more information. :)

 

At 7:25a get on the Silver Ketchikan city bus ( you cross the street at the port, bus sign is on the corner of Dock Street). Ride the bus out to Totem Bight- they drop you off right there. That early the kiosk is not open, so, take with you a copy of the Totem Guide. Will enhance your lovely walk. verify the bus schedule and pick up the bus, back to downtown Ketchikan. $1 each way. ALL you need.

 

http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/totembgh.htm

 

Have a great time!!!!!!

Thank you BudgetQueen! I was hoping you would chime in as you are the Alaska guru!

I just checked the Ketchikan port schedule and it seems Westerdam is at Dock 1. I had heard about the city bus for $1pp each way but the city's website [and the Totem Bight website for that matter] was not very clear about where to get it and where it drops you off. Glad to hear it is so easy!! MUCH better to spend $2pp instead of $45pp !!!! There is no entrance fee to get into the park?

How long would you recommend staying at the park? Is this the most worthwhile thing to see during our short time in the city [other than the aforementioned excursions in plane and helicopters that cost hundreds per person]?

Also, are there a lot of cute shops in town once we finish? DH is pretty into art so he loves going to galleries and shops with artsy, local made products [of which I assume there are plenty in Alaska].

We just did it by city bus and it was only 50 cents for students and seniors and $1.00 for others. It was interesting to walk around and there is another park patchlock or something like that,connected to it.I would allow and about an hour or so to go through the park.The bus drops you off and picks up very conveniently.Going back,we got on the bus when it stopped,even though it had a couple of more stops to go and then came back.It got filled up and this way we knew we had a seat.They let people stand on the bus.I would get off early and check and see what time they open.

Thank you BudgetQueen! I was hoping you would chime in as you are the Alaska guru!

 

I just checked the Ketchikan port schedule and it seems Westerdam is at Dock 1. I had heard about the city bus for $1pp each way but the city's website [and the Totem Bight website for that matter] was not very clear about where to get it and where it drops you off. Glad to hear it is so easy!! MUCH better to spend $2pp instead of $45pp !!!! There is no entrance fee to get into the park?

 

How long would you recommend staying at the park? Is this the most worthwhile thing to see during our short time in the city [other than the aforementioned excursions in plane and helicopters that cost hundreds per person]?

 

Also, are there a lot of cute shops in town once we finish? DH is pretty into art so he loves going to galleries and shops with artsy, local made products [of which I assume there are plenty in Alaska].

From dock 1, you will see the Visitor Center. cross the street , with your back toward the ship docks, turn right. At Dock Street, you should see the bus stop sign. Be there a few minutes early. there are some people who race through and are ready to leave. I'd suggest planning on the 13 after the hour bus at 9. Gets you back downtown a little more than 1/2 hour later.

Ketchikan is loaded with shopping. I'd suggest a look at vendors and determine the better ones for your "art" and "local" priority. http://www.visit-ketchikan.com

We just did this by city bus, too. There is a stop at Walmart, too if you need any essentials. Just check the schedule. It is really that easy and that inexpensive.

From dock 1, you will see the Visitor Center. cross the street , with your back toward the ship docks, turn right. At Dock Street, you should see the bus stop sign. Be there a few minutes early. there are some people who race through and are ready to leave. I'd suggest planning on the 13 after the hour bus at 9. Gets you back downtown a little more than 1/2 hour later.

 

Ketchikan is loaded with shopping. I'd suggest a look at vendors and determine the better ones for your "art" and "local" priority. http://www.visit-ketchikan.com

We just did this by city bus, too. There is a stop at Walmart, too if you need any essentials. Just check the schedule. It is really that easy and that inexpensive.

Thank you both! :D

Good afternoon, Alaska specialists!!

 

Ketchikan is one of the ports on our September sailing to Alaska and we are only there from 7am - 1pm. I'm not completely sure of what to do there but I've seen a lot about Totem Bight State Park. It looks pretty interesting and since the port stop is so short I figured it would be an easy thing to see before heading back into town for shopping/snacks. HAL charges $44.95pp for their excursion which seems like a decent price but some reviewers stated they felt a bit rushed at the park to get in more "drive-by touring" in the city. Is it possible to go there on one's own via bus or taxi? If so, would it be cheaper than through HAL? Is it even worth seeing?

 

I do want to disclose that we are not especially interested in the floatplane and helicopter type tours [or fishing] that seem to dominate this port so this seemed like one of the few alternate options.

 

Thanks in advance!

I was in Ketchikan last Tuesday and used the city bus, thanks to posters on Cruise Critic.

The public bus is white with blue near the tire wells. There are blue, red and green stripes encircling the bus near its top. The words "THE BUS" are painted on its sides. The stop is on Front Street near the intersection of Dock Street. The bus stop sign is located between these businesses... Totem Bar and Ketchikan Souvenir & Candy. The fee is $1 each way for adults, an all day pass is $2. It is the Silver Line NORTH bus. Last week I was the only one who boarded the 7:26 am bus on Front Street and was at the park about 7:45-7:50 am which was prior to the ranger office opening.

The drop off and pick up at Totem Bight State Park is the same location, it is a covered bus shelter. Silver Line SOUTH picks up passengers at Totem, 13 minutes past the hour...9:13 - 10:13 - 11:13 etc. The bus driver announced at the Plaza Mall stop, cruise passengers would have to get off and take the free shuttle (from the Plaza Mall stop) back to the cruise pier. I stayed on the SOUTH bus which dropped me off at the public library (free wifi) and then walked back to town...which I would never do again!:mad:

I was in Ketchikan last Tuesday and used the city bus, thanks to posters on Cruise Critic.

 

The public bus is white with blue near the tire wells. There are blue, red and green stripes encircling the bus near its top. The words "THE BUS" are painted on its sides. The stop is on Front Street near the intersection of Dock Street. The bus stop sign is located between these businesses... Totem Bar and Ketchikan Souvenir & Candy. The fee is $1 each way for adults, an all day pass is $2. It is the Silver Line NORTH bus. Last week I was the only one who boarded the 7:26 am bus on Front Street and was at the park about 7:45-7:50 am which was prior to the ranger office opening.

 

The drop off and pick up at Totem Bight State Park is the same location, it is a covered bus shelter. Silver Line SOUTH picks up passengers at Totem, 13 minutes past the hour...9:13 - 10:13 - 11:13 etc. The bus driver announced at the Plaza Mall stop, cruise passengers would have to get off and take the free shuttle (from the Plaza Mall stop) back to the cruise pier. I stayed on the SOUTH bus which dropped me off at the public library (free wifi) and then walked back to town...which I would never do again!:mad:

Thanks for the tip!! Does the bus not drop you back downtown where it picked you up? We will want to spend a little time shopping and taking pictures in town before going back on the ship.

The bus does not drop you off where you picked it up, it turns left downtown and drops you off a few blocks later. Easy walk to your cruise ship.

I do have a correction above- From the Visitor Center where you will cross the street, you will be making a LEFT turn. (I've been coming into dock 3 and 4 the last several trips, and was on automatic with my directions) there is a downtown map= http://www.visit-ketchikan.com

The bus does not drop you off where you picked it up, it turns left downtown and drops you off a few blocks later. Easy walk to your cruise ship.

 

I do have a correction above- From the Visitor Center where you will cross the street, you will be making a LEFT turn. (I've been coming into dock 3 and 4 the last several trips, and was on automatic with my directions) there is a downtown map= http://www.visit-ketchikan.com

Thanks again BQ! When we get dropped off on the return, is it fairly easy to know where we are supposed to head? [i.e. can you still see the ships]

Thanks again BQ! When we get dropped off on the return, is it fairly easy to know where we are supposed to head? [i.e. can you still see the ships]

Yep. Consider taking a walk on Creek St. you are almost there from the bus stop. Walk away from the ships- pretty obvious.

We are in Ketchikan next May 17th, 2017 (Friday) from 1:30-8:00pm. We are thinking of catching the bus to Totem Bight first thing off the ship. Don't know which dock yet. How long is the ride to / from Totem Bight? Does the bus also go south of the dock to Saxman? How much can we do in 4 hours? Mostly interested in totems.

Susan

We are in Ketchikan next May 17th, 2017 (Friday) from 1:30-8:00pm. We are thinking of catching the bus to Totem Bight first thing off the ship. Don't know which dock yet. How long is the ride to / from Totem Bight? Does the bus also go south of the dock to Saxman? How much can we do in 4 hours? Mostly interested in totems.

 

Susan

You wouldn't be able to do both Totem Bight and Saxman in 4 hours, unless it was just a quick turn around look. Bus is about 1/2 an hour to Totem Bight, which runs once/hour. http://www.borough.ketchikan.ak.us/DocumentCenter/View/4339

You'd only be able to get the 2:25p bus to Totem Bight with your schedule.

You wouldn't be able to do both Totem Bight and Saxman in 4 hours, unless it was just a quick turn around look. Bus is about 1/2 an hour to Totem Bight, which runs once/hour. http://www.borough.ketchikan.ak.us/DocumentCenter/View/4339

 

You'd only be able to get the 2:25p bus to Totem Bight with your schedule.

I'm beginning to see... now! If we were in a car (or taxi) it would probably take half the time as the bus, but costs more.

Is the downtown shuttle the same as the GREEN LINE LOOP?

Are the buses pretty reliable and true to their schedules?

I think we could get the 2:26p at Front & Dock St to Totem Bight at 2:50p; then spend an hour or so and catch the 4:13p back to Plaza Mall stop at 4:31p. When I look on the city map this mall looks far away (2 miles) from Creek St. If we get the 5:00p Green Line Loop bus it says 2 stops later 5:06p at the Federal Bldg, across from Library, Creek St. Is this the best way to get to Creek St shopping, etc from Totem Bight?

Which do you think is better to see for a "TOTEM experience" ? Totem Bight, Potlatch Park or Saxman?

I think if we took a tour that claims to go to Totem Bight and Saxman they must have very short times to look around.?

I'm beginning to see... now! If we were in a car (or taxi) it would probably take half the time as the bus, but costs more.

 

Is the downtown shuttle the same as the GREEN LINE LOOP?

 

Are the buses pretty reliable and true to their schedules?

 

I think we could get the 2:26p at Front & Dock St to Totem Bight at 2:50p; then spend an hour or so and catch the 4:13p back to Plaza Mall stop at 4:31p. When I look on the city map this mall looks far away (2 miles) from Creek St. If we get the 5:00p Green Line Loop bus it says 2 stops later 5:06p at the Federal Bldg, across from Library, Creek St. Is this the best way to get to Creek St shopping, etc from Totem Bight?

 

Which do you think is better to see for a "TOTEM experience" ? Totem Bight, Potlatch Park or Saxman?

 

I think if we took a tour that claims to go to Totem Bight and Saxman they must have very short times to look around.?

Your question doesn't make much sense to me. :) Why mention the mall?? You already are short on time, no point in stopping there. Just get off your return bus at the Federal Building and walk around Creek St.

Simple to go to both Totem Bight and Potlatch Park. Although they do have a visitor kiosk at Totem Bight, I suggest you print out and take with you the totem guide.

http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/totembgh.htm

Saxman is also worthwhile, but better with a guide. I especially enjoy going there to see Nathan Jackson. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_Jackson_(artist)

I guess I got confused by an earlier post mentioning the mall stop. I do see on the bus schedule the Southbound does stop at Fed Bldg at 4:46. From there it's a short walk back to ship, yes?

Hope it's not raining.... but we will have umbrellas.

If we wanted to go to Saxman instead of Totem Bight -- should we just walk up to Creek St ( or hop on the shuttle) then, when we are done there, catch the Southbound from the Fed Bldg to Saxman? Would we want the Forest Park stop or the Saxman/Tongass HWY stop for closest access?

To return to ship we use the Northbound bus at Saxman/Forest Park stop at 5:15 to get back to docks around 5:30.

Thanks for your help!

I guess I got confused by an earlier post mentioning the mall stop. I do see on the bus schedule the Southbound does stop at Fed Bldg at 4:46. From there it's a short walk back to ship, yes?

Hope it's not raining.... but we will have umbrellas.

 

If we wanted to go to Saxman instead of Totem Bight -- should we just walk up to Creek St ( or hop on the shuttle) then, when we are done there, catch the Southbound from the Fed Bldg to Saxman? Would we want the Forest Park stop or the Saxman/Tongass HWY stop for closest access?

To return to ship we use the Northbound bus at Saxman/Forest Park stop at 5:15 to get back to docks around 5:30.

 

Thanks for your help!

It depends what dock you are at, how far the ship walk is. But, I never use the shuttle buses. I can get where I want to go, much faster by just walking, including from dock 4. The buses are always jammed and take time to load/unload.

I agree -- I see from the timetable I can be back to the ship before the darn shuttle gets there! Now we just have to choose which way we want to go. Too bad we don't get more time. But either way will give us a good sampling of the area.

I think I figured out the way to Saxman.