How long is the show?

The performance runs about 1 hour; arrive 15 minutes early for check-in and optional extras.

Is the show suitable for kids?

Yes—it's family-friendly; axe throwing has a minimum age of 10 and requires a signed waiver.

Do I need to bring rain gear?

Recommended—Ketchikan weather is variable; the seating is covered and heated, but the walk from docks can be wet.

Can cruise passengers get here from the ship?

Often yes—when berthed downtown the show is a block from cruise docks; some Ward Cove berths may require a terminal shuttle.

Is axe throwing available after every show?

Not always; availability varies by schedule—check at the company store upon arrival or on the booking confirmation.

The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show: Ketchikan's High-Octane Timber Spectacle

Q: Is the venue accessible?

Yes—the grandstand is handicap accessible for walkers, wheelchairs, and electric scooters.

Adventure Brief

Watch world-class lumberjacks race, climb, and chop through twelve adrenaline-packed events in a heated grandstand just steps from downtown Ketchikan. This one-hour show mixes athleticism, history, and family-friendly humor—plus an optional axe-throwing challenge.

1 hour

easy

From $62.54

The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show drops visitors into the raw, wood-scented heart of Ketchikan, Alaska, at the Port of Ward Cove and downtown performance space where world-class timber athletes stage a full-throttle display of historic logging skills. For one hour you watch twelve events—axe throws, pole climbs, springboard chopping, crosscut sawing, and hot dog log rolls—executed with precision, speed, and a theatrical streak that keeps families laughing and adrenaline high. The show traces the coastal logging tradition that shaped southeast Alaska; the athletes wear spiked boots and hard hats, use tree-climbing gaffs, six-foot saws, and seven-pound axes, and occasionally free-fall from tall standing timbers in choreographed stunts. The arena sits in a covered, heated, cushioned grandstand so rain or drizzle rarely blunts the fun; a rustic log gift shop and full concession counter complete the experience. Performers alternate competitive heats with humorous commentary and audience calls-to-action, turning a demonstration of timbercraft into a participatory spectacle. Beyond spectacle, the show is a living link to the region’s industry: Ketchikan’s waterfront once fed mills that processed Sitka spruce and western hemlock for ships and construction. The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show makes that history approachable—educational moments about tools and techniques appear between events, and the optional Axe Throw Challenge offers visitors coached practice time from world-class lumberjacks (minimum age 10; waiver required). Logistics are straightforward: arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled hour; the venue is a block from downtown cruise docks when performed in Ketchikan, and is handicap accessible for walkers, wheelchairs, and electric scooters. Note that Ward Cove docks are used by several cruise lines and a terminal shuttle may be required from some ship berths; transportation is not included. Seating can be prioritized in rare weather events. This experience is ideal for families, cruise visitors, and anyone curious about industrial-era skills performed as athletic theater. It’s a compact, weatherproof Alaska outing that pairs big gestures with local story: the swing of an axe, a spinning log afloat on water, a plume of sawdust landing like confetti. Bookable tickets often include seasonal schedules; check the provided referral link for showtimes and the availability of post-show axe throwing. Whether you want a lively, slice of Alaskan culture or a fun, safe thrill, the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show delivers a one-hour punch of history, humor, and pure timber-powered entertainment. Plan to arrive with layered rain gear and sturdy shoes for the short walk from downtown piers; concessions carry hot coffee and regional snacks, and the nearby company store offers themed souvenirs and information on local logging trails for hikers who want to explore the forested shorelines after the show. Ask staff about schedule changes on stormy days. Don't miss the post-show photos.

About Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show - Port of Ward Cove

Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show - Port of Ward Cove presents high-energy timber sports and family entertainment in Ketchikan, Alaska.

The attraction stages live lumberjack competitions and demonstrations that highlight traditional logging skills, strength events, and climbing techniques. Performances take place in a covered venue with heated seating, ensuring comfort for visitors in variable Alaskan weather.

The operation offers two main experiences: The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, featuring twelve competitive events that combine history, humor and athletic spectacle; and the Lumberjack Show + Axe Throw Challenge, which pairs the live show with a supervised axe-throwing session suitable for guests aged 10 and up. Both experiences are produced on-site at the Port of Ward Cove and designed to fit within typical cruise stop windows.

Staff are professional lumberjack athletes and trained coaches who conduct demonstrations and teach safe axe-throwing technique during the axe-throwing portion. Safety protocols, supervised instruction, and onstage coaching are part of the guest experience. Tickets can be purchased for individual performances, and shows are accessible for families seeking a lively, short-duration outing connected to Ketchikan shore excursions.

The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show - Port of Ward Cove is a locally based entertainment attraction focused on authentic timber sports, hands-on activities, and family-friendly presentation. It appeals to visitors looking for an active Alaska cultural experience during a port visit to Ketchikan. One combined experience runs just under two hours, offering an efficient, entertaining shore excursion option for cruise passengers seeking memorable Alaskan activities near the Port of Ward Cove today.