little trip to Cascade Creek Dam since you're here at Sitka National Historical Park; do take a hike on the Mount Verstovia Trail. Sitka National Historical Park is a popular destination for people coming from Sitka. The panorama of lovely Harbor Peak near Sitka National Historical
Park is magnificent. At Sitka National Historical Park you always meet someone from Sitka; taking a little tour to nearby Sealing Cove is a magnificent idea. Dry warm beds await you at Sitka Super 8 Motel, and why not take a refreshing hike along the Starrigavan Fish Viewing
Trail. That right there is a load already, but it keeps on going; Sitka National Historical Park has it all. If you're here at Sitka National Historical Park and you like golf, you can check out Sea Mountain Golf Course, and hiking along the Indian River Trail is delightful fun.
The high level of rainfall makes Sitka National Historical Park a pretty wet place; all through October this area sees the most rain; the driest of the months is June. Sitka National Historical Park has gorgeous nature scenery for your viewing satisfaction.
Alaska's
oldest federally designated park was established in 1910 to commemorate the 1804 Battle of Sitka. All that remains of this last major conflict between Europeans and Alaska Natives is the site of the Tlingit Fort and battlefield, located within this scenic 113 acre park in a temperate
rain forest. Southeast Alaska totem poles and a temperate rain forest setting combine to provide spectacular scenery along the park's coastal trail. The trail circles back along Indian River to the visitor center. Another loop trail continues across the Indian River footbridge
past the Memorial to the Russian Midshipmen who died in the Battle of Sitka. The park's story continues at the Russian Bishop's House, one of three surviving examples of Russian colonial architecture in North America. This original 1843 log structure conveys the legacy of Russian
America through exhibits, refurbished Bishop's living quarters and lavish icons in the Chapel of the Annunciation. CONTACTS Email - SITK_Administration@nps.gov Fax- 907-747-5938 Write
to National Park Service 106 Metlakatla Street Sitka, AK 99835 Phone Headquarters - 907-747-6281
TRAVEL BASICS
Operating Hours, Seasons Mid-May through September 30: The visitor center is open daily, 8:00 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m. The Russian Bishop's House is open daily, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There is a $3.00 user fee. October through Mid-May: The Visitor Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Russian Bishop's House is open by appointment only. Tours are regularly
scheduled on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. and Friday at 2:00 p.m. Getting There PLANE - Sitka is located on Baranof Island on Alaska's southeastern panhandle. Sitka can be reached only by air or sea. Commercial airlines fly directly from Seattle, Juneau and Anchorage.
The Park is located at the south end of Lincoln Street, approximately one-fourth mile from downtown Sitka. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Sitka is also a port of call for ferries on the Alaska Marine Highway System. Weather & Climate Sitka experiences a temperate
marine climate, characterized by heavy precipitation and a small temperature range between seasons. Most of the 96.6 inches average annual precipitation in Sitka occurs as rain. Summer temperatures range from high 50's to high 60's F. Winter is rainy and snowy with temperatures
from the high teens to the 40's F. Rain gear and layered clothing are recommended year-round. Accessibility The park visitor center is wheelchair accessible and a wheelchair is available for public use. The gravel-based, wood chip-covered trails in the park are accessible
with many types of wheelchairs. The historic Russian Bishop's House is not wheelchair accessible. An audiovisual presentation is available to those unable to tour the house. Getting Around The Visitor Center and Russian Bishop's House are located on Lincoln Street
about a ten minute walk apart in this essentially urban park. FEES/PERMITS
Activity Fee INDIVIDUAL ** $3.00 for Day Interpretive fee for tours and exhibits in the Russian Bishop's House. **No fee for children under 12 years old
Local
Passport FAMILY PASS $10.00 for Annual An annual family pass for tours and exhibits in the Russian Bishop's House.
FACILITIES
Museums RUSSIAN BISHOP'S HOUSE Phone - 907-747-6281 Location - Located near
Sitka's central business district at 501 Lincoln Street. Closures - Closed through winter except by appointments which are scheduled for Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. or Fridays at 2:30 p.m. Special Programs - Special programs are scheduled throughout the summer. Additional
information can be found in our expanded web pages or by contacting the park. Exhibits - The Russian Bishop's House is one of four buildings remaining from the Russian colonial period in North America. The historic structure is registered as a National Historic Landmark.
Exhibits on the Russian American Company, Russian history and Orthodoxy are displayed on the lower level. Park rangers lead visitors on a tour of the second floor through the beautifully restored bishop's residence and chapel. Two historic buildings, the Priests' Quarters and the
Old School, are located on site.
Visitor Centers MAIN VISITOR CENTER & SOUTHEAST INDIAN CULTURAL CENTER Phone - 907-747-6281 Location - The Park is located at the south end of Lincoln Street, approximately one- fourth mile from downtown
Sitka. Special Programs - Tlingit artists demonstrate their skills in the Southeast Indian Cultural Center. In the summer months, Ranger-led walks on the flora, fauna, history and anthropology of the park, and the community of Sitka are featured. A variety of children's programs are also offered during the summer. The bookstore is open daily from May through September.
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