Saxman Tribal House
4.5(56)google
Folk CultureHistoryEducational
Overview
The Saxman Tribal House, located within the Beaver Clan House at Saxman Totem Park, offers an extraordinary immersion into the living culture and ancestral heritage of the Tlingit people. The magnificent structure features a traditional hand-carved cedar facade and heavy timber beams flanking a central sunken fire pit where tribal elders perform spirited ceremonial dances and songs. Visitors can listen to captivating oral histories, marvel at the monumental totem poles lining the surrounding property, and enter the active carving shed to witness master artisans carving fresh logs using traditional hand tools.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1-1.5 hours
Best TimeBest visited during summer mornings (May to September) when the master carving center is buzzing, allowing you to see master carvers refine massive red cedar totem poles using traditional adzes. Midday brings powerful, authentic Tlingit traditional drum dancing and storytelling performances inside the massive Clan House.
Getting ThereLocated in the Saxman Native Village, roughly 2.5 miles south of downtown Ketchikan. Drive south via the South Tongass Highway for about 5-7 minutes straight to their large complimentary open parking lot. Alternatively, you can hop on the local city transit bus or hail a short taxi ride from the port.
Travel Tips
- The clan house is a sacred cultural site; general public entry is strictly barred unless accompanied by a certified tribal guide.
- Inside the Carving Center, stepping on historical cedar shavings or touching incomplete totems is completely prohibited.
- Utilize the municipal bus (Blue Line) from downtown Ketchikan for a cheap multi-dollar fare, avoiding overpriced cruise transfer vans.
Reviews
Positive
- The live traditional Haida and Tlingit dance performances and carving shed displays are amazing, delivering high cultural value.
- The outdoor lawn boasts the world's largest gathering of carved totems, paired with wide flat accessible paths and clean public restrooms.
- The native guides are solemn and sincere, using songs and clan stories to lead guests into totem mythology, offering great service and engagement.
- A large slice of admission goes back into native community conservation, making it worth the price with a pure, non-commercial atmosphere.
Heads up
- Located about 3 miles from downtown Ketchikan; public buses are rare and unreliable, making access tough without a car or a pricey taxi ride.
- Without buying the expensive all-inclusive guided tour ticket, casual tourists can only see outdoor totems, barred from entering the clan house.
- When dozens of cruise tour buses flood in together, the small clan house gets packed to the gills, blocking sightlines and lowering experience.
- The outdoor zones get very slippery and muddy under Ketchikan's constant rain, and the park lacks sufficient covered walkways.