★★★★★ 4.8 stars, 73 reviews
Ketchikan Ghost Walk
$34.21 per adult
*includes all taxes and fees
2-hour guided Ghost walk through Alaska’s First City, uncovering indigenous legends, haunted Creek Street, and eerie tales from Thomas Bay.
Duration
2 Hours
Meeting Point
The Rock
210 Front St.
Minimum Age
13+
Check-Out Availability
Ketchikan, Alaska is known as the "First City" for its prominent position as the gateway to the Alaskan frontier. But beneath its charming, rugged exterior lies a foundation of supernatural tales and chilling phenomena. It’s such a haunted place that even though it is technically out-of-bounds, its strange events were still featured on the TV series The Alaska Triangle.
The bustling port town of Ketchikan has always buzzed with stories of extraordinary encounters. The quiet wilderness around Thomas Bay, north of Ketchikan, was known to gold seekers in the early 1900s as a place rich with promise. In 1900, prospector Harry Colp was drawn into a terrifying reality recounted by his shaken companions, who had returned to camp visibly shaken, haunted by something they’d encountered in the forest.
One evening, while exploring the area in search of riches, Colp's fellow prospectors stumbled upon figures that sent their blood running cold. These beings stood upright yet moved with an unnatural gait, neither fully human nor animal, their bodies covered in coarse hair. Fearful whispers named these entities "cursed creatures," unlike anything the miners had ever seen. What were these frightful brutes? Were these the same shape-shifting beasts whose haunting presence still terrifies locals?
Expect to hear surprising stories about a variety of local paranormal happenings. Known for
Totem Poles,
Misty Fiords National Monument, and
historic Creek Street, Ketchikan reveals its darker side when night falls or the fog rolls in. Supernatural tales of this storied Alaskan town include firsthand accounts from local residents, curious legends passed down through generations, and modern eyewitness reports of
ghosts, cryptids, UFOs, and inexplicable occurrences.
What To Expect
Expert Paranormal Guide
Daily at 7pm
Easy/Moderate
$34.21 per adult
Why Choose American Ghost Walks?
The Ketchikan Haunted History Tour is meticulously crafted from authentic sources—including historical documents, personal interviews, and thorough archival research. Our guides are passionate about Alaska's rich paranormal and cultural heritage, providing not just spooky thrills, but meaningful context that brings history to life. We proudly engage with Ketchikan's vibrant community, offering respectful, historically accurate, and genuinely intriguing storytelling experiences.
Important Info
- Duration: Approximately 1.5–2 hours. Please allow a full two hours, as our guides often share additional intriguing details based on guest engagement.
- Weather: Tours run rain or shine. Dress for Ketchikan’s famously wet weather, and wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Accessibility: The tour route is wheelchair-friendly. Please inform us of any special needs to ensure comfort and enjoyment.
- Reservations: Tours have limited capacity, and all sales are final. We gladly reschedule in case of emergencies.
- Pets: Service animals welcome. For liability reasons, please leave other pets at home.
The most popular haunt on Creek Street is far from the only one.
What flies in the Alaskan skies?
Who haunts this former department store?
By far the best known, but not the only haunted place to stay in town.
The most popular haunt on Creek Street is far from the only one.
What flies in the Alaskan skies?
Itinerary Highlights
Meeting Point
Meet your guide at Berth 2, near The Rock monument on the waterfront.
Highlights
- Explore the haunted locations that shaped Ketchikan’s past.
- Contemplate firsthand accounts of ghosts, cryptids, and UFOs in Alaska’s first city.
- Unravel the maritime mysteries of the historic waterfront.
- Walk in the footsteps of the legends that continue to captivate locals and visitors alike.
- Separate fact from fiction.
List of Services
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The Rock MonumentItem Link List Item 1
Meet Ketchikan’s legendary pioneers. These figures also symbolize Alaskan groups with the most fascinating folklore—miners, bush pilots, loggers, fisherman, frontierswomen, and native peoples.
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Historic Gilmore HotelItem Link List Item 2
Ponder the eerie encounters at this 1927 hotel, including levitating guests, shadowy figures, and ghostly appearances of the original owner Pat Gilmore himself. Would you dare book Room 208 for an unforgettable stay?
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Former Yates HospitalItem Link List Item 3
Recall the inexplicable deaths and sorrowful tales the permeate the aging walls of Ketchikan’s first hospital. What hidden history does this site conceal?
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Chief Kyan Totem PoleItem Link List Item 4
Marvel at the fascinating details of Tlingit reincarnation cases documented by Dr. Ian Stevenson. Might you encounter ancestral spirits walking among us tonight?
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Chief Johnson Totem PoleItem Link
Consider the enchanting tale Fog Woman. Is the Ketchikan fog merely weather or something more?
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Creek StreetItem Link
Meet the feisty spirits of Ketchikan’s infamous red-light district. Big Dolly, Black Mary, and countless others linger.
And much, much more…
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Do you go inside any of the haunted buildings?
On this tour, we focus on building exteriors and outdoor spaces. Businesses and public places are open for you to visit during regular business hours. Otherwise we respect the privacy of individuals and organizations and expect that our guests do the same.
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Do guests really see ghosts on this tour?
We can never guarantee a supernatural encounter, but we will explain paranormal phenomena such as cold spots and residual hauntings. What we do guarantee: Our local connections and dedication to research means you'll get authentic accounts — in all their shocking detail.
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Can I bring my pet?
Service animals are welcome. However, for liability issues, please leave your furry friends at home if you don’t require their assistance.
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Is this ghost walk kid-appropriate?
While our tours do not contain anything too graphic or inappropriate, we find that kids that enjoy history have the best time. You know your children and that's left up to you. We do not recommend bringing children in strollers because sometimes that can be difficult with larger walking groups.
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What if I'm late or cannot find my guide?
We do our best to answer calls and emails as promptly as they are received. Please make sure to leave a voicemail with the city and tour time. We try to accommodate travel and weather issues, but our public tours cannot wait for more than 10 minutes. Reschedules are available if the date you are interested in is not sold out.
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What is your cancellation policy?
Because this is a limited capacity tour, all sales are final. But we will reschedule you if you have an emergency, we love ghosts, not monsters!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have the courage to join?
Explore haunted locations and hear chilling tales. Face your fears and uncover dark secrets. Join us, if you dare!
Check Out the Juneau Ghost Walk
Juneau Ghost Walk
Step into Juneau’s haunted history on this spine-tingling walking tour, where chilling true stories, Gold Rush-era legends, and paranormal encounters with ghosts, cryptids, and mysterious creatures bring Alaska’s supernatural secrets to life.
From $30 per person. Nightly at 7 pm.