Sitka, Alaska Information

Sitka is nicknamed the "First City of Alaska" and is located on Baranof Island in Alaska's panhandle. It's has state's fourth largest population at 8,835 people and is the largest city by area in the entire United States with 4,811.5 square miles under its jurisdiction.

In its remote location it faces the Gulf of Alaska head on - the only town in Southeast Alaska to do so. This makes transportation a bit difficult. The easiest way to get to Sitka is by air. Alaska Airlines lands jets there from other Alaskan cities. Charter and bush flights are available to take you to remote regions of Alaska to explore the wilds. Unfortunately, the air routes are often closed due to inclement weather. Another more reliable option is the Alaska Marine Highway System. You can't drive to Sitka because it is an island, but if you can't live without your car, Alaska Marine Lines can ship it to you.

Did You Know?
In the Sitka area, on nearby Admiralty Island, the grizzly bear population is so big that there is one bear per square mile.

The remoteness of the island emphasizes the stunning natural environment. Just south of town is Mount Edgecumbe, a dormant volcano, which towers over the sea at 3,200 ft. Peak 5390 is the highest peak on the island at 5,390 feet. The mountains are home to plenty of streams and rivers if you want to kayak or fish. The weather in Sitka is moderate. The town gets an average rainfall of 86 inches and 39 inches of snowfall. The temperature ranges from 62 degrees Fahrenheit in August to 30 degrees Fahrenheit in January.

Sitka is surrounded by the 17 million acre, Tongass National Forest - the largest national forest in the United States. Tongass National Forest stretches from the ocean to the Canadian border. There are tons of huts and cabins to visit in the National Forest. The area is home to salmon, bald eagles, moose, black bear, and grizzly bears in a variety of eco-systems.

The prime time for hunting deer and goat is September to November. The hunting season for bear is spring and fall, but spring is the best. Be sure to check the current Alaska Hunting Regulations before planning your trip. If you're in stunning Sitka to fish, the summer months are a great time to take a charter fishing trip or to visit a fishing lodge in search of salmon, trout, or halibut.

Did You Know?
The Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge is located at the mouth of Sitka Sound.

Town Information:

Welcome To Sitka, AK
http://www.sitka.com/

Sitka Convention & Visitors Bureau
http://www.sitka.org/

City & Borough of Sitka
http://www.cityofsitka.com/

Sitka Economic Development Association
http://www.sitka.net/

Population: 8,986 (2005 census)
Location: West side of Baranof Island
Annual Precipitation: 96.07 in.
July Averages: Temperature - 62*F; precipitation - 4.20 in.

Lodging:

Baranof Wilderness Lodge
PO Box 2187, Sitka, AK
(907) 738-3597 / (800) 613-6551
http://www.flyfishalaska.com/

Alaska Ocean View B & B
1101 Edgecumbe Dr., Sitka, AK
(907) 747-8310
http://www.sitka-alaska-lodging.com/

Rockwell Lighthouse
BOX 277, Sitka, AK
(907) 747-3056

Westmark Sitka
330 Seward St., Sitka, AK
(907) 747-6241 / (800) 544-0970
http://www.westmarkhotels.com/

Shee Atika Totem Square Inn
201 Katlian St., Sitka, AK
(907) 747-3693 / (866) 300-1353
http://www.totemsquareinn.com/

Alaska Swan Lake B & B
206.5 Lakeview Dr., Sitka, AK
(907) 747-5746

Sitka Hotel
118 Lincoln St., Sitka, AK
(907) 747-3288
http://www.sitkahotel.com/

Camping:

Starrigavan Recreation Area
7 miles N. of Sitka and .75 miles from the ferry terminal
(907) 747-4216 (info) / (877) 444-6777 (reservations)

Did You Know?
Baranof Island is home to not only Sitka, but also 53 named glaciers in the Baranof Icefields. That is more glaciers than any other island in the world.

What to See:

Alaska Raptor Center
1000 Raptor Way, Sitka, AK
(907) 747-8662
http://www.alaskaraptor.org/

Castle Hill

Harbor Mountain

Harrigan Centennial Hall
330 Harbor Dr., Sitka, AK
(907) 747-6455 (museum) / (907) 747-5940 (visitors bureau)
http://www.sitkahistory.org/

Russian Bishop's House
501 Lincoln St., Sitka, AK
(907) 747-6281
http://www.nps.gov/sitk

St. Michael's Cathedral
240 Lincoln St., Sitka, AK
(907) 747-8120

Sheldon Jackson Museum
104 College Dr., Sitka, AK
(907) 747-8981
http://www.museums.state.ak.us/

Sitka National Historical Park
106 Metlakatla St., Sitka, AK
(907) 747-6281
http://www.nps.gov/sitk

Sitka State Pioneers Home
Lincoln & Katlian Sts., Sitka, AK
(907) 747-3213

Totem Square
Across the street from Pioneer Home

Whale Park
4 miles East of Sitka on the Sawmill Creek Rd.

Restaurants & Bars:

Ludvig's Bistro
256 Katlian St., Sitka, AK
(907) 966-3663

Little Tokyo
315 Lincoln St., Sitka, AK
(907) 747-5699

Nugget Restaurant
Sitka Airport Terminal, Sitka, AK
(907) 966-2480

Bayview Restaurant
407 Lincoln St., Sitka, AK
(907) 747-5440

Pioneer Bar
212 Katlian St., Sitka, AK
(907) 747-3456

Transportation:

Car Rentals:

Avis
(907) 966-2404 / (800) 230-4898
http://www.avis.com/

North Star Rent-a-Car
(907) 966-2552 / (800) 722-6927
http://www.northstarrentacar.com/

Bus:

Visitor Transit Bus - Sitka Tribe of Alaska
200 Katian St., Sitka, AK
(907) 747-7290 / (888) 270-8687
http://www.sitkatours.com/

Bicycles:

Yellow Jersey Cycle Shop
329 Harbor Dr., Sitka, AK
(907) 747-6317
http://www.yellowjerseycycles.com/

Ferry Terminal:

Alaska Marine Highway
5307 Halibut Point Rd., Sitka, AK
(907) 747-8737
http://www.ferryalaska.com/

Airport:

Sitka Airport
605 Airport Dr., Sitka, AK
(907) 966-2960

Chamber of Commerce:

Sitka Chamber of Commerce
329 Harbor Dr. #212, Sitka, AK
(907) 747-8604
http://www.sitkacoc.com/

Did You Know?
Humpbacks skirt the shores of Sitka in fall and winter.

AK Employment Service:

Alaska Job Network Center
304 Lake St. #101, Sitka, AK
(907) 747-3423
Email: sitka.jobcenter@alaska.gov

Local Newspaper:

Sitka Sentinel
112 Barracks St., Sitka, AK
(907) 747-3219
http://www.sitkasentinel.com/

Hospital:

Sitka Community Hospital
209 Moller Dr., Sitka, AK
(907) 747-3241
http://www.sitkahospital.org/

Fish & Game:

Fish & Game Department Sport Fish
304 Lake St. #103, Sitka, AK
(907) 747-5355
http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/statewide/index.cfm

Forest Service:

Tongass National Forest Sitka Supervisor Office
204 Siginaka Way, Sitka, AK
(907) 747-6671
http://www.fs.fed.us/r10/tongass/districts/sitka/

Internet Access:

Highliner Coffee
327 Seward St., Sitka, AK
(907) 747-4924
http://www.highlinercoffee.com/

Kettleson Memorial Library
320 Harbor Dr., Sitka, AK
(907) 747-8708

 

The Gulf of Alaska and the remote islands in the area make Sitka a giant playground for any outdoor buff. If you want to hunt, fish, hike, camp, kayak, climb, or enjoy, then Sitka is the place for you. Fishing and hunting lodges abound in the area.