About Sitka National Historical Park
On an island amid towering spruce and hemlock, Sitka National Historical Park preserves the site of a battle between invading Russian traders and Indigenous Kiks.ádi Tlingit. Totem poles from Tlingit and Haida areas line the park’s scenic coastal trail, and the restored Russian Bishop’s House is a rare reminder of Russia’s colonial legacy in North America.
Quick Facts
Operating Hours
Park grounds are open for day-use year-round. Pedestrian through-traffic is allowed between Sawmill Creek Road and the visitor center parking lot (over the Indian River footbridge) at any time provided pedestrians do not loiter.
Activities
Getting There
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 connect the city to 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.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Become a Junior Ranger at Sitka National Historical Park
Become a Junior Ranger! Learn about Tlingit culture, the rainforest, Russian American history, and the coastal environment. You'll earn an…
Explore at Low Tide
The intertidal zone is full of variety, and when the tide is out there are tidepools and wide flats to…
As you explore, notice patterns in where you find things. What colors, textures, and shapes are in each vertical layer? Examine…
Watch for Salmon
Salmon are easily observed from the bridge over Indian River when they spawn each summer and fall. Strong ties bind…
Look down into the water from the bridge for salmon swimming upstream to spawn. Notice the size and color of…
Search for Pollinators
Search for the usual suspects, such as bumblebees and hummingbirds, among the park's flowers, but don't forget to hunt for…
Look and listen for as many different kinds of pollinators as you can find. Remember to search for birds and…
Get Close to the Forest Floor
When you bend down low and examine the forest floor you find a lot of variety, and even some drama!…
There are a number of ways to explore the forest floor: Search for as many different organisms as you can…
Find Sitka's Bedrock
Find evidence of Sitka's distant past in outcrops of bedrock. These large pieces of graywacke are sedimentary rocks formed beneath…
Find an outcrop—a large, exposed piece of rock—that is generally gray in color and granular. That's graywacke! Notice its overall…
Visitor Centers
Russian Bishop's House
One of only four Russian period buildings left in North America. Explore exhibits about Russian America and the role of the Russian Orthodox Church. Free…
Hours: Free tours are given in the summer months, from May to September. Days and hours of operation may vary depending on staff availability, especially in the early part of the season (May) and the end of the season (September). We appreciate your flexibility.
Visitor Center
Explore exhibits about traditional Tlingít life and see drums, robes, and other ceremonial objects. A 12-minute film, "The Voices of Sitka," weaves together the stories…
Hours: Park trails are open for day-use only. The park Visitor Center is open 9am-5pm April 21- Sept 30. Guided walks and programs will be offered upon staff availability.
🗺️ Guided Tours & Experiences
Discover Sitka National Historical Park with expert-led tours
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
🏨 Find Hotels Near Sitka National Historical Park
Compare accommodation options for your visit
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
More Parks in Alaska
Plan Your Trip From a Nearby City
Find national parks near these cities, including Sitka National Historical Park.