Kasaan AlaskaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Kasaan, Alaska.
1. Chief Son-I-Hat's Whalehouse
HISTORIC HAIDA LONGHOUSE
Chief Son-I-Hat's Whalehouse is a beautifully restored traditional Haida longhouse dating from 1880 that was moved to its present site from Old Kasaan in 1904. The Whale House features exquisite house poles and is the centerpiece of Kasaan's Totems Historic District, which has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2002. Visitors can experience this authentic piece of Haida culture through guided tours of the complex, which underwent extensive renovation in 2016.
2. Kasaan Totem Historic District
INDIGENOUS CULTURAL HERITAGE
The Totem Historic District in Kasaan is one of the great Haida cultural centers in Alaska, featuring a forested trail meandering past numerous totem poles of both Haida and Tlingit origin. This authentic Totem Park includes not only the Chief Son-i-Hat Whale House but also contains a couple of native cemeteries, including the more southerly one which guards the remains of Chief Son-i-Hat (1829–1912). The historic district benefited from an extensive renovation in 2016 and offers visitors a unique cultural experience when traveling in Alaska.
3. Kasaan Arts, Museum, and Canoes
NATIVE ART AND CULTURE
Kasaan Arts, Museum, and Canoes offers visitors a chance to explore the rich artistic traditions of the Haida people through displays of local artwork and traditional canoes. The venue provides both cultural tours and private tours for those wanting to learn more about the indigenous heritage of the area. This cultural attraction adds depth to any visit to Kasaan, one of only two Haida villages in Alaska.
4. Totem Trail Cafe
LOCAL FLAVORS AND VIEWS
The Totem Trail Cafe offers visitors a place to relax and enjoy refreshments while exploring Kasaan's Totem Historic District. Located among the forest trails and totem poles, the cafe provides a convenient stopping point during cultural tours of the area. Visitors can fuel up here before or after experiencing the nearby Chief Son-i-Hat Whale House and other cultural attractions in this traditional Haida village.
5. Discovery Cabins
RUSTIC OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS
Discovery Cabins provides overnight accommodations for visitors wanting to fully experience the unique cultural attractions of Kasaan. These cabins allow travelers to extend their stay in this traditional Haida village on Prince of Wales Island. Staying at Discovery Cabins gives guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in the natural beauty and indigenous heritage of the area without rushing through their visit.
6. Grindall Island State Marine Park
PRISTINE ISLAND WILDERNESS
Grindall Island State Marine Park offers visitors a chance to experience the unspoiled natural beauty of Southeast Alaska's island ecosystems. The marine park features opportunities for wildlife viewing, kayaking, and exploring the coastal wilderness near Kasaan. Visitors can observe diverse marine life and seabirds in their natural habitat while enjoying the tranquility of this protected area.
7. Hollis Adventure Rentals
OUTDOOR EXPLORATION EQUIPMENT
Hollis Adventure Rentals provides equipment and guidance for visitors wanting to explore the natural surroundings of Kasaan and Prince of Wales Island. Their rental services enable travelers to access remote areas and experience the wilderness of Southeast Alaska firsthand. Visitors can enhance their Alaska adventure through various outdoor activities supported by this local business.
8. Totem Bight State Historical Park
INDIGENOUS HERITAGE SITE
Totem Bight State Historical Park, located northwest of Ketchikan, invites visitors to immerse themselves in Alaska's indigenous history through expertly carved totem poles depicting stories of the Tlingit and Haida people. The park features a recreated Tlingit clan house that helps visitors envision life before local inhabitants emigrated to non-Indigenous communities. Interpretive trails allow guests to escape into the rainforest and discover the legacy of the historic totem poles that stand throughout the lush grounds.
9. Misty Fjords National Monument
DRAMATIC WILDERNESS WATERWAYS
Misty Fjords National Monument near Ketchikan is a labyrinth of fjords, inlets, bays, peninsulas, and forested ridges often cloaked with low-hanging clouds. This wilderness area features Alaskan waterfalls pouring down from high granite cliffs alongside steep inclines where bald eagles perch in cedar and spruce trees. Visitors can explore this unspoiled natural wonder by boat, seaplane, or kayak while searching for bears, whales, and sea birds in this pristine environment.
10. Potlatch Park
CULTURAL TOTEM COLLECTION
Potlatch Park is located right next door to Totem Bight State Park near Ketchikan and features a dozen impressive totem poles, including one that stands 42 feet high. Though less manicured than its neighboring park, Potlatch offers an authentic glimpse into the indigenous artistic traditions of Southeast Alaska. Visitors can explore this cultural site to complement their experience of the region's rich Native Alaskan heritage.
11. Denali National Park
ALASKA'S CROWN JEWEL
Denali National Park is home to North America's highest peak and offers visitors breathtaking landscapes of tundra, forest, and alpine environments. The park provides opportunities to spot diverse wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep in their natural habitat. Visitors can explore this vast wilderness through various activities including hiking, bus tours, flightseeing, and ranger-led programs throughout the summer season.
12. Kachemak Bay State Park
COASTAL WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE
Kachemak Bay State Park offers visitors a pristine coastal wilderness experience with dramatic fjords, lush forests, and diverse marine ecosystems. The park is accessible only by boat or floatplane from Homer, adding to its remote and unspoiled character. Visitors can enjoy hiking, kayaking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and camping while exploring this spectacular protected area on the Kenai Peninsula.
13. Kenai Fjords National Park
GLACIAL MARINE ECOSYSTEM
Kenai Fjords National Park showcases the impact of massive glaciers that have carved the dramatic landscape of fjords, islands, and bays along Alaska's southern coast. The park's crown jewel is the Harding Icefield, spanning nearly 714 square miles and giving birth to over 40 glaciers that flow from its frozen expanse. Visitors can experience the park's unique blend of marine and mountain ecosystems through boat tours, kayaking, hiking, and wildlife viewing opportunities that feature whales, sea lions, puffins, and other coastal wildlife.
14. White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad
HISTORIC GOLD RUSH RAILWAY
The White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad is a historic narrow-gauge railway built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, climbing nearly 3,000 feet in 20 miles and featuring steep grades and cliff-hanging turns. This International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark offers passengers breathtaking panoramas of mountains, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, trestles, and historic sites from the comfort of vintage passenger coaches. The railway provides various excursions that combine the area's spectacular natural beauty with its rich gold rush history, making it one of Alaska's most popular tourist attractions.
15. Coffman Cove
FISHING AND WILDLIFE GATEWAY
Coffman Cove is a small community on Prince of Wales Island located 66 miles north of Kasaan that serves as a gateway for fishing and wildlife adventures. The cove offers excellent opportunities for sportfishing, with abundant populations of salmon, halibut, and rockfish in the surrounding waters. Visitors can enjoy the peaceful small-town atmosphere while using it as a base for exploring the natural beauty of Prince of Wales Island.