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.
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
Sitka experiences a temperate maritime climate, characterized by heavy precipitation and a small temperature range between seasons. Summer temperatures range from high 50s to high 60s F with frequent rain. Winter is rainy and snowy with temperatures from the high teens to the 40s F. Well prepared visitors will have…
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: Alaska. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
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
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
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…
Tour the Russian Bishop's House
The Russian Bishop's House is one of only four surviving examples of Russian colonial architecture in North America. Built in…
Take the Totem Trail
A historic trail lined with Haida and Tlingit totem poles passes through classic Southeast Alaska temperate rainforest to the site…
Watch An Icon Reborn
Watch an 18-minute film for an overview of the Russian Bishop's House and the history of Saint Innocent's efforts to…
Watch Voices of Sitka
Watch a 15-minute film for an overview of Tlingit, Russian, and American history in and around the park.
Explore Exhibits on Tlingit Life
Learn about Tlingit culture and way of life through historical and contemporary ceremonial objects. Observe demonstrating artists in the wood,…
More Things to Do
Additional activities and experiences from the National Park Service.
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 the ocean,…
Explore at Low Tide
The intertidal zone is full of variety, and when the tide is out there are tidepools and wide flats to explore.
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 less obvious…
Watch for Salmon
Salmon are easily observed from the bridge over Indian River when they spawn each summer and fall. Strong ties bind them to…
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! Low-growing plants,…
Go Berrying
As berries ripen, they dot Sitka's greenery with bright reds, luminous oranges, and muted blues and grays. Enjoy their colors and shapes…
Fishing in Sitka
Fishing is a popular tradition in Sitka. Fish responsibly, follow regulations, and have a license when necessary. Be aware that bears share…
Meet a Demonstrating Artist
Artists demonstrate traditional Tlingit and Haida forms of carving, weaving, beading, and metalworking. Many of the things they create have ceremonial uses.
Visit National Historic Landmarks in Sitka
The historic landmarks in Sitka are portals in time to significant events in Alaska history. Locations of battles and fort sites, churches,…
Go Birding
The estuary, shores and forests of Sitka NHP are excellent places to watch birds that are migrating through in the spring and…
Join a Ranger-led Program
Ranger-led programs are a great way to learn more about the park and history of Southeast Alaska.
Visitor Centers
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…
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…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
Nearby Cities for Trip Planning
These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.
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