Plan Your Visit
How do I get to Sitka?

What is there to see and do at Sitka National Historical Park?
When are the Visitor Center and the Russian Bishop's House open?

Where can I go for a hike?

History & Culture
What is a potlatch?

How many Russians lived in Sitka in the mid 1800's? How many live in Sitka today?

When was the Russian Orthodox Church in Sitka built?

Historical photos show Tlingit people with nose rings. What does the nose ring mean?

What is the difference between an Eskimo and an Indian?

What do totem poles represent? What are they made of?

Nature & Science
What species of salmon are found in the park?

I haven't seen a bear yet. Where are the bears?

What type of forest is found in the park?

What species of trees are found in the park?

How do I get to Sitka?

Sitka is accessible only by air or boat. You can find directions here.

What is there to see and do at Sitka National Historical Park?

You can learn about the attractions and activities in the area here.

When are the Visitor Center and the Russian Bishop's House open?

You can find the operating hours for the facilities here.

Where can I go for a hike?

Two miles of easy trails are located within the park; the trails are suitable for all ages and abilities. Visitors should allow approximately one hour to walk the trails, providing time to enjoy the totem poles, wildlife, and breathtaking scenery along the way. Get a map of the trails here.

Many other trails are available in Sitka providing opportunities for short excursions or full day hikes. Excellent hiking opportunities are available in the Tongass National Forest. You can find a map of the trails on the road system here.

What is a potlatch?

A potlatch is a celebration, a time for relieving of grief, or an opportunity to pay the opposites for their good deeds.  For example, a potlatch might be held to celebrate a new clan house or the raising of new totem pole.  Potlatches typically involve dancing, gift giving, and giving new names  to clan members.  Potlatches once lasted for three days; today, the celebrations extend for 12-20 hours.

How many Russians lived in Sitka in the mid 1800's? How many live in Sitka today?

Approximately 700 Russians, including Creoles, lived in Sitka in the mid 1800's.  The Russians left Sitka when Alaska was sold to the United States in 1867.  The Creoles remained and their descendents live in Sitka today.

When was the Russian Orthodox Church in Sitka built?

The original St. Michael's Cathedral was completed in 1848. A fire in the 1960's destroyed the original structure; the cathedral we enjoy today is a carefully constructed replica of the original.

Historical photos show Tlingit people with nose rings. What does the nose ring mean?

The nose ring is part of a Tlingit dancer's regalia and has no symbolic meaning.

What is the difference between an Eskimo and an Indian?

Geographic location, language, traditions, and physical appearance differentiate the two groups.

What is the Indian tribe that lives here? How long have they lived in the region?

The Tlingit (Lingit'). The Tlingit have lived in southeastern Alaska for thousands of years; their oral history dates back over 12,000 years. Find out more about the Tlingit here.

With their striking designs and colors, totem poles are bold statements of the identities and stories of the people who carved them. A totem pole generally served one of four purposes.

• Crest poles give the ancestry of particular family.
• History poles record the history of a clan.
• Legend poles illustrate folklore or real life experiences.
• Memorial poles commemorate a particular individual.

Today, the poles are primarily made from Western Red cedar because they are the larger of the tree and can be acquired easily.

Find out more about the park's totem pole collection here.

What species of salmon are found in the park?

Four of the five species of Pacific salmon return to the river in the park to spawn - chinook, coho, pink and chum salmon. Find out more about the fish in the park here.

Brown bears live throughout Alaska and are the only bear species found in Sitka. Brown bears use the full range of habitat in the area- forest, alpine, estuary, and intertidal. The bears generally avoid encounters with people. 

Bears are sometimes sighted within the park; however, it is unlikely you will see a bear during your visit.  The best opportunites for bear viewing in the Sitka area are found in remote locations accessible only by boat.

What type of forest is found in the park?

The southeast region of Alaska is dominated by a temperate rainforest. The temperate rainforest ecosystem stretches along the Pacific Coast from Oregon to Alaska; other temperate rain forests are found in several isolated areas throughout the world. What defines a rain forest quite simply is rain--lots of it. Precipitation in Sitka approaches 100 inches of rain each year. The dominant species in the rain forest are Sitka spruce and western hemlock; some grow to tremendous size, reaching 300 feet in height and 23 feet in circumference.  

What species of trees are found in the park?

Western hemlock, Sitka spruce, and red alder are found in the park.