Home Destinations Lodging Skiing Camping Activities Sightseeing Books & Maps Gear


Make A Selection

  Visit Official Website
Go Back a Page


Sitka National Historical Park

Slideshow image
This is the site of the Battle of Sitka in 1804, which was the last large conflict between Europeans and the Alaskan Natives. Besides walking the large park itself (which is covered by temperate rainforest . . . surprisingly, Alaska has rainforests!), the history buff will want to explore the Tlingit Fort.


 The Basics

Location: Sitka
Hours: Hours and days vary seasonally
Season: Year-round
Price: Prices vary by attraction, season
Address: 106 Metlakatla Street
Sitka, AK 99835
Phone: 907-747-6281

For more info, visit OFFICIAL WEBSITE


 Map

Sitka National Historical Park, Alaska Map


 Directions

Sitka National Historical Park is located in downtown Sitka, Alaska. Sitka is situated on Baranof Island on the outer coast of Alaska’‘s Inside Passage. No roads reach the city from the mainland; Sitka can be reached only by air or sea. Visitors can travel to Sitka by scheduled and charter air services, ferry, and cruise ships.

Air
Daily jet service is available from Seattle, Anchorage, and Juneau.

Air taxi companies fly a network of routes that link Sitka to Juneau, Haines, Skagway, and other southeast Alaska towns.

Ferry
Sitka is a port of call for passenger ferries on the Alaska Marine Highway System.

Cruise Ships
Many cruise ships schedule a stop in Sitka on their Inside Passage itineraries.


Getting Around
Once in Sitka, visitors without their own vehicles can travel to the park by foot, rental car, taxi, bus, or bicycle. The downtown area is not very large, and most points of interest are within walking distance of each other.

The park Visitor Center is located at the east end of Lincoln Street, approximately one-fourth mile from downtown Sitka. The Visitor Center and Russian Bishop’‘s House are located about a ten minute walk apart in this essentially urban park. The park map provides a detailed view of both facilities and the park trails.


 Climate
 

Sitka experiences a temperate maritime climate characterized by heavy precipitation and a small temperature range between seasons. In the summer, temperatures range the high 50's to high 60's F with frequent rain. Winter is rainy and snowy with temperatures from the high teens to mid 40's F.

Link to our Sitka Weather coverage for more information.

 Fees
 

Fees start at $4


 Things To Do
 

Learn about Tlingit Culture & Art

Exhibits in the Visitor Center describe traditional Tlingit life. Tlingit artists demonstrate their skills in the Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center. Southeast Alaska totem poles line the park's coastal trail.

Experience Russian America's Legacy
The Russian Bishop's House is one of the last remaining buildings from the Russian colonial period in North America. This original 1843 log structure conveys the legacy of Russian America through exhibits, refurbished living quarters and lavish icons in the Chapel of the Annunciation.

Explore the natural environment
Walk in a temperate rain forest under towering trees, observe migrating salmon, explore the intertidal zone, and study wildlife.

Watch "The Voices of Sitka"
Shown in the park auditiorium, this 12 minute video weaves together the stories of Sitkans past and present.

Join a Ranger-led Program.
Ranger-led programs about the cultural and natural history of the region are featured during the summer months.


 For Kids
 

Kids can have a great time exploring the park with their families and friends. Children enjoy the exhibits and video at the Visitor Center, talking with the native artisans in the Cultural Center, and exploring the trails and intertidal zone. Ranger-led programs are a great way to introduce children to their natural and cultural heritage. The park offers the following programs just for kids.

Junior Ranger Program
Kids of all ages can take part in the Junior Ranger Program to learn more about Sitka National Historical Park. Children explore the park through fun activities outlined in an activity booklet. The content and number of activities required to earn the title of Junior Ranger vary based on the child's age. A plastic badge and certificate are awarded upon completion of the booklet. The activity booklet is available at the Visitor Center. No fee is charged for the program.

Discovery Packs
Family fun packs can be borrowed at the park’s Visitor Center for independent beach exploration by all ages. The packs include buckets, digging tools, magnifying glasses, beach guides, and other gear for making a family outing on the beach an educational event.


 Nearby Attractions
 

Sitka's attractions reflect the rich natural and cultural history of the area. The Tongass National Forest surrounds the city providing exceptional recreational opportunities. Several museums explain the story of Sitka through exhibits and demonstrations. Sitka is also home to twenty sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, eight of which are National Historic Landmarks. You may want to visit the following attractions:

  • Isabel Miller Museum
  • Sheldon Jackson Museum
  • Tongass National Forest

In addition, two other National Parks are located in the southeast region of Alaska:

  • Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
  • Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.

Link to our Sitka Attractions coverage for more information.


Copyright 1998 - 2008