Sitka National Historical Park
Designation: National Historical Park
Location: Alaska
📘 Park Overview
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.
🌤 Weather Information
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 rain gear and layered clothing at any time of year.
🚗 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 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.
Images
Sunset from Cinnamon Dockham and the Centennial Pole.
Credit: NPS Photo
Tour the Russian Bishop's House to see Russian American architecture and lifestyle restored.
Credit: NPS Photo/ Weston Kessler
The Visitor Center contains exhibits, a 15 minute park video, and Tlingit and Haida art.
Credit: NPS photo
Salmon run in the Indian River from mid-July until late September.
Credit: NPS Photo/Weston Kessler
One of the last remaining examples of Russian American architecture.
Credit: NPS Photo
See the Park's 18 Totem Poles with a walk along the Totem Trail.
Credit: NPS Photo/Weston Kessler
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Monday, Jun 15
Moderate rain
High: 52.8°F | Low: 50°F
Humidity: 96%
Wind: 4.9 mph
Rain Chance: 94%
UV Index: 2.6
Sunrise: 04:05 AM
Sunset: 09:57 PM
Moon: New Moon (2%)
Visibility: 2 mi
Dew Point: 50.7°F
Cloud Cover: 94%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Tuesday, Jun 16
Patchy rain nearby
High: 54°F | Low: 44.4°F
Humidity: 86%
Wind: 6.7 mph
Rain Chance: 77%
UV Index: 4.3
Sunrise: 04:05 AM
Sunset: 09:58 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (6%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 47.2°F
Cloud Cover: 77%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Wednesday, Jun 17
Patchy rain nearby
High: 55.7°F | Low: 41.4°F
Humidity: 76%
Wind: 6.9 mph
Rain Chance: 36%
UV Index: 4.4
Sunrise: 04:05 AM
Sunset: 09:58 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (11%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 45.5°F
Cloud Cover: 36%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (2)
Small Craft Advisory issued June 14 at 9:35PM AKDT until June 15 at 5:00AM AKDT by NWS Juneau AK
Effective: Jun 15, 2026 1:35am
Expires: Jun 15, 2026 1:30pm
Southeast Alaska Coastal Waters from Dixon Entrance to
Cape Suckling out 100 NM
Wind forecasts reflect the predominant speed and direction
expected. Seas forecasts represent the average of the highest
one-third of the combined windwave and swell height.
.TONIGHT...SE wind 15 kt. Seas 8 ft. Showers.
.MON...S wind 10 kt becoming W in the afternoon. Seas 6 ft.
.MON NIGHT...NW wind 15 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.TUE...W wind 15 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...W wind 15 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.WED...W wind 15 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.THU...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.FRI...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.
Small Craft Advisory issued June 14 at 3:20PM AKDT until June 15 at 5:00AM AKDT by NWS Juneau AK
Effective: Jun 14, 2026 7:20pm
Expires: Jun 15, 2026 1:30pm
Southeast Alaska Coastal Waters from Dixon Entrance to
Cape Suckling out 100 NM
Wind forecasts reflect the predominant speed and direction
expected. Seas forecasts represent the average of the highest
one-third of the combined windwave and swell height.
.TONIGHT...SE wind 15 kt. Seas 8 ft. Showers.
.MON...S wind 10 kt becoming W in the afternoon. Seas 6 ft.
.MON NIGHT...NW wind 15 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.TUE...W wind 15 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.TUE NIGHT...W wind 15 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.WED...W wind 15 kt. Seas 6 ft.
.THU...NW wind 20 kt. Seas 7 ft.
.FRI...NW wind 25 kt. Seas 7 ft.
Park Events
Bird Walk
Saturday, April 4th at 10am, Sitka National Historical Park invites you to join guide Tim Sorrill for an engaging hour-long bird walk along the scenic park trails. During the walk, participants will search for local bird species and learn tips for beginning birders. Binoculars will be available for use, and warm beverages will be provided. The group will meet at 10am on the seaside-facing porch outside the Visitor Center. The walk is free and open to everyone, we look forward to seeing you there!
Date: Apr 4, 2026 12:00am to Apr 4, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Chilkat Weavers presentation
Chief of Cultural and Natural Resources, Zachary R. Jones, Ph.D., an art historian whose research documents and reconstructs the biographies of historic Tlingit Chilkat weavers. His research explores the lives and legacies of master weavers whose artistry and technical skill shaped one of the most recognized textile traditions of the Northwest Coast.
Location: Visitor Center Theater
Date: Apr 9, 2026 12:00am to Apr 9, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Orthodox Icons presentation
A joint presentation by Chief of Cultural and Natural Resources, Zachary R. Jones, Ph.D. and Father Herman Belt, Dean of Sitka and the Southeast.
Jones will discuss the park’s work to preserve the Orthodox icon artforms in the park’s museum collection created during the period of Russian America. Father Belt will speak about the historic and ongoing significance of Orthodox icons within the community.
We invite members of the public to bring historic Orthodox icons for discussion and photographic documentation. With permission, these objects will be photographed and the images preserved in the park’s educational archives to support future research and interpretation.
Location: Visitor Center Theater
Date: Apr 16, 2026 12:00am to Apr 16, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Public History Lecture on St. Innocent Veniaminov
Location: Park Visitor Center Theater
Date: Jun 23, 2026 12:00am to Jun 23, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
106 Metlakatla Street
Sitka, AK 99835
🏤 Mailing Address:
103 Monastery St.
Sitka, AK 99835
📞 Voice Phone: 9077470110
📞 Fax Phone: 9077475938
✉️ Email: SITK_Information_Requests@nps.gov