Dog-Friendly Ketchikan, Alaska

A practical 2026 guide to pet-friendly stays, scenic walks, and waterfront stops in Alaska’s First City.

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Ketchikan, AK

7.9 Pet-Friendly Score
Avg Pet Fee: $10-25/night
Off-Leash Beach: No
Outdoor Dining Law: No

Best dog-friendly stays

My Place Hotel-Ketchikan, AK

Reliable pet-friendly base near the airport and downtown with a straightforward nightly pet fee.

The Landing Hotel & Restaurant

Waterfront hotel with pet-friendly rooms, grassy relief area, and easy access to Tongass Avenue.

Cape Fox Lodge

Boutique hillside lodge near Creek Street with a low nightly pet fee and quick access to Deer Mountain.

Best walks and outdoor time

Ketchikan Salmon Walk

Easy downtown loop around Ketchikan Creek where leashed dogs are welcome.

Ward Lake Nature Trail

Gentle forested lakeside trail north of town for an easy outing with your dog.

Deer Mountain Trail

A tougher hike for active dogs and experienced hikers looking for elevation and views.

Know before you go

Leash expectations

Ketchikan Gateway Borough Animal Protection advises canines at large must be contained by leash or structure.

Restaurant access

Alaska rules clearly protect service animals in restaurants, but ordinary pet access is venue-specific and usually limited to outdoor seating.

Cruise-season crowds

Downtown gets busy on ship days, so early-morning walks are best for dogs that prefer quieter streets.

Dog-Friendly Hotels in Ketchikan

My Place Hotel-Ketchikan, AK

4.2/5
Hotel

Modern extended-stay style hotel on Tongass Avenue with pet-friendly rooms, free parking, and easy access to trails and the airport ferry.

$$ Pet fee: $25 per night Allows 2 pets with a combined weight of 80 lbs. Dogs and cats welcome.

3612 Tongass Avenue, Ketchikan, AK 99901

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Super 8 by Wyndham Ketchikan

2.8/5
Hotel

Budget-friendly waterfront stay with airport shuttle, free breakfast, and one of the more flexible pet policies in town.

$ Pet fee: $20 per pet, per night Welcomes up to 4 pets of any size; 2 pets allowed in single-bed rooms and 4 in double-bed rooms. Dogs and cats permitted; pets may be left unattended if well behaved.

2151 Sea Level Drive, Ketchikan, AK 99901-6071

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The Landing Hotel & Restaurant

4/5
Hotel

Popular waterfront hotel with an on-site restaurant, practical location on Tongass Avenue, and pet-friendly rooms for road-trippers.

$$ Pet fee: $15 per pet, per night Allows 2 pets up to 80 lbs. Dogs and cats welcome; well-behaved pets may be left unattended if owner contact is provided. Grassy relief area on site.

3434 Tongass Avenue, Ketchikan, AK 99901

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Cape Fox Lodge

4/5
Lodge

Boutique lodge above downtown with big views, a complimentary tram for guests, and quick access to Creek Street and Deer Mountain.

$$$ Pet fee: $10 per pet, per night Welcomes 2 dogs of any size in designated pet-friendly rooms with exterior access. Cats also welcome.

800 Venetia Avenue, Ketchikan, AK 99901

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The Ketch Inn & Marina

3.8/5
Inn

Quiet oceanfront property on the Tongass Narrows with marina views and a calmer setting away from the busiest downtown blocks.

$$ Pet fee: Not clearly published on official site BringFido lists 2 pets per room, dogs up to 50 lbs, and cats welcome; confirm current fee and room availability directly before booking.

4871 N Tongass Hwy, Ketchikan, AK 99901

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Black Bear Inn

4.8/5
Bed & Breakfast

Small inn north of downtown with pickup service by arrangement and a quieter residential feel for travelers who prefer a B&B.

$$$ Pet fee: $10 per pet, per night BringFido lists 2 pets under 30 lbs in the pet-friendly Bunkhouse Cabin. Dogs and cats welcome; pets should not be left unattended.

5528 North Tongass Highway, Ketchikan, AK 99901

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Dog-Friendly Restaurants and Casual Stops

Timbers Restaurant & Lounge

5/5
Restaurant

Scenic north-of-town dining room with water views and a patio that gives you the best chance of dining outside with your dog nearby.

$$$ Outdoor patio seating is available; call ahead to confirm whether leashed dogs are currently permitted in the patio area.

16707 N Tongass Hwy, Ketchikan, AK 99901

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Bar Harbor Ale House

4/5
Ale House

Convenient stop near the cruise area with indoor and outdoor table service, making it one of the easier downtown-area options for patio dining.

$$ Outdoor seating is available; pet access is not stated online, so confirm patio dog rules directly before visiting.

Shops at the Cannery, 55 Schoenbar Rd, Ketchikan, AK 99901

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Dockside Galley

4.3/5
Cafe

Casual waterfront spot on South Tongass with outdoor seating and a good fit for a quick meal after a walk or harbor drive.

$$ Outdoor seating is listed online; confirm whether leashed dogs are allowed in the seating area before you go.

2843 S Tongass Ave, Ketchikan, AK 99901

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The Barn Door Eatery

4.5/5
Eatery

Locally owned restaurant in Knudson Cove with outdoor seating and hearty portions, useful if you are staying north of downtown.

$$ Outdoor seating is available; call ahead for current dog policy on the patio.

407 Knudson Cove Rd, Ketchikan, AK 99901

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Ketchikan Crab & Go

4.8/5
Seafood

Casual seafood stop in Salmon Landing Market with outdoor seating and a central tourist-area location.

$$$ Outdoor seating is available; verify current pet rules before visiting, especially during cruise season.

5 Salmon Landing STE 114, Ketchikan, AK 99901

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Alaska Crêpe Co

4.4/5
Cafe

Popular quick breakfast and lunch stop near downtown attractions, handy for takeout before a creekside walk.

$ No dedicated patio is clearly listed; best for takeout with your dog rather than sit-down dining.

123 Stedman St Suite C, Ketchikan, AK 99901

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Dog-Friendly Activities, Walks, and Parks

Ketchikan Salmon Walk

4.3/5
Trail

Easy interpretive loop around Ketchikan Creek downtown, especially fun during salmon season and ideal for a short leashed walk.

Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash.
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Deer Mountain Trail

4.7/5
Trail

Challenging out-and-back hike with major elevation gain and rewarding views for fit dogs and experienced hikers.

Dogs are welcome; AllTrails notes they may be off-leash in some areas, but local control and wildlife awareness are essential.

Ketchikan, AK

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Ward Lake Nature Trail

Trail

Gentle 1.5-mile lakeside nature trail in the Tongass National Forest, good for a relaxed morning outing.

Forest Service trail in a developed recreation area; keep dogs leashed or under close control and be wildlife-aware.

Ward Lake Road, Ketchikan, AK

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Ward Lake Recreation Area

Park

Broader recreation area north of town with picnic spots, wildlife viewing, and access to several easy-to-moderate walks.

Best visited with dogs on leash due to wildlife and developed recreation facilities.

Ward Lake Road, Ketchikan, AK

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Totem Bight State Historical Park

State Historical Park

Cultural stop with totem poles, forested grounds, and shoreline scenery that works well for a shorter leashed outing.

BringFido notes dogs are welcome but should remain on a leash at all times.

9883 N Tongass Hwy, Ketchikan, AK 99901

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Rainbird Trail

Trail

Classic Ketchikan forest hike with city and water views, but check current conditions before planning around it.

Historically dog-friendly, but AllTrails flagged the trail as closed after a landslide update; verify current access locally before going.

Ketchikan, AK

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A Dog-Friendly Weekend in Ketchikan

This plan balances easy walks, flexible meal stops, and one bigger outdoor adventure while avoiding the busiest cruise crowds.

Day 1: Arrival and downtown orientation

Morning

Check into a pet-friendly stay like My Place Hotel, The Landing, or Cape Fox Lodge. After travel, give your dog an easy stretch on the Ketchikan Salmon Walk downtown.

Afternoon

Pick up a casual lunch or takeout from Alaska Crêpe Co, then browse Creek Street and the surrounding waterfront with your dog on leash in outdoor public areas.

Evening

Head to a patio-friendly stop such as Timbers Restaurant & Lounge or another venue that confirms outdoor dog access that day. Finish with a quiet harbor walk before bed.

Day 2: Forest and water views

Morning

Start early and drive north to Ward Lake Nature Trail for a calmer, cooler walk before crowds build. Bring water and keep your dog leashed because of wildlife.

Afternoon

If your dog is energetic and trail-ready, tackle part or all of Deer Mountain Trail. If not, swap in Totem Bight State Historical Park for a shorter cultural stop and scenic stroll.

Evening

Return to your hotel for downtime, then grab dinner from a restaurant with outdoor seating or order takeout and enjoy a waterfront sunset from a public viewpoint.

Day 3: Easy final morning

Morning

Take one last relaxed walk along the waterfront or repeat the Salmon Walk if your dog handled downtown well.

Afternoon

Stop for coffee or a quick bite, then check out and head to the airport ferry or ferry terminal with extra time for pet logistics.

Evening

If you have a later departure, keep the final hours low-key and avoid long hikes so your dog boards tired but comfortable.

Nearby Dog-Friendly Destinations

Saxman

2 miles

Just south of Ketchikan, Saxman is an easy add-on for totem viewing and a quieter local feel.

Ward Cove

8 miles

A convenient north-of-town area near Ward Lake and trail access.

Metlakatla

ferry/boat access

A distinct community on Annette Island that requires extra planning for pet travel logistics.

Prince Rupert

about 140 miles by ferry route

A larger coastal base in British Columbia with more pet-friendly dining and lodging options if you are continuing south.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are dogs allowed in restaurants in Ketchikan?

Usually only if the business chooses to allow dogs in an outdoor seating area. Alaska rules clearly protect service animals in restaurants, but ordinary pets are not guaranteed indoor access, so always call ahead.

Is there an off-leash dog park in Ketchikan?

No dedicated off-leash dog park surfaced in current official and travel listings. Plan on leash walks, trail outings, and hotel relief areas instead.

What are the best dog-friendly hotels in Ketchikan?

Strong current options include My Place Hotel-Ketchikan, The Landing Hotel & Restaurant, Cape Fox Lodge, Super 8 by Wyndham Ketchikan, The Ketch Inn & Marina, and Black Bear Inn, but pet fees and room availability should always be reconfirmed before booking.

Can I hike with my dog near Ketchikan?

Yes. Popular options include Ketchikan Salmon Walk, Ward Lake Nature Trail, and Deer Mountain Trail. Keep your dog leashed or under very close control, carry water, and stay alert for wildlife and changing trail conditions.

What should I know about local dog rules?

Ketchikan Gateway Borough Animal Protection notes that canines at large must be contained by leash or structure before officers arrive. In practice, visitors should assume leash use is the safest default in town and on popular trails.

Planning more Alaska adventures with your dog?

Browse more city guides for pet-friendly stays, patios, and trail ideas across the region.

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