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| Sitka Alaska National, State and City Parks: |
| Sitka, Alaska is located on Baranof Island, along the
outer coast of Alaska's Inside Passage. State and National parks offer
a range of recreational opportunities including hiking, picnicking,
beach combing, bird watching, boating, camping, exploring the back
country, and learning more about Alaska's rich natural and cultural
history. |
| Sitka Alaska National, State and City Parks: |
Baranof Castle Hill State Historic Site - Sitka
Alaska National, State and City Parks
Commonly referred to as Castle Hill, this park is one of the most
historically significant sites in Alaska. Tlingit natives originally
inhabited this area and built a strategic fortification at this site.
Between 1804-1867 Russians occupied this site. In 1867, on top of
Castle Hill, Alaska was officially transferred from Russia to the
United States. Today, Castle Hill is a state historic site and also
designated as a National Historic Landmark. A fully accessible walkway
leads visitors to the top of the hill and provides outstanding views
of downtown Sitka and waterfront. Interpretive panels provide opportunities
to learn more about the history of this site. This park is located
in downtown Sitka. |
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Halibut Point State Recreation Site - Sitka Alaska
National, State and City Parks
Located along the ocean four miles north of downtown Sitka, Halibut
Point State Recreation Site is a popular day use recreation area for
local residents and visitors. Three covered picnic shelters and a
number of picnic sites are located in this park. In addition, a half-mile
hiking trail provides an opportunity to walk through the coastal spruce
and hemlock forest. The ocean beach offers people a chance to beach
comb and explore the inter-tidal zone. The Sitka State Parks Office
is also located at this park. |
Old Sitka State Historic Site - Sitka Alaska National,
State and City Parks
In the early 1800s, Russians built a settlement at this site along
Starrigavan Bay. Today, the site is designated as Old Sitka State
Historic Site. Located 7 miles north of downtown Sitka, this park
offers a variety of recreational opportunities. This site has been
designated as a National Historic Landmark and interpretive panels
provide information about the history of this site. A public use boat
launch and dock allow boaters to access ocean waters north of Sitka.
The Forest & Muskegs trail is a 1.25 mile barrier free trail (maximum
12% grade) with a self guiding brochure that has information about
the natural and cultural history of this area. The Mosquito Cove trail
(1.5 miles long) provides an opportunity to hike along Starrigavan
Bay and Mosquito Cove in the coastal spruce and hemlock forest. Old
Sitka State Historic Site is located within walking distance of the
Alaska Marine Highway Ferry Terminal and the US Forest Service Starrigavan
Campground. |
Russian Bishop's House - Sitka Alaska National,
State and City Parks
The Russian Bishop's House is one of the few surviving examples of
Russian colonial architecture in North America. Imperial Russia was
the dominant power in the North Pacific for over 125 years. Sitka
(known as New Archangel at the time) was the Russian colonial capital.
The Bishop's House was completed in 1842 and was the center of Russian
Orthodox church authority in a diocese that stretched from California
to Siberian Kamchatka. Virtual
Tour - Slide
Show |
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Totem
National Historical Park - Sitka Alaska National,
State and City Parks
Alaska’s oldest federally designated park, Sitka National Historic
Park was established in 1910 to commemorate the Battle of Sitka, which
took place in 1804 on the point of land where the Indian River flows
into Sitka Sound. All that remains of the Kiksadi fort is its outline,
marked by posts, but the surroundings are largely unchanged. Today,
visitors to the scenic 107-acre park can view demonstrations of Native
arts in the Southeast Alaska Cultural Center, several totem poles
along a short series of trails, and the Russian Bishop’s House,
one of four surviving examples of Russian colonial architecture in
North America. This original 1843 log structure conveys the legacy
of Russian America through exhibits, refurbished living quarters and
the Chapel of the Annunciation.
A classic combination of Northwest Coast totem poles and temperate
rain forest are combined on the scenic coastal trail within Sitka
National Historical Park. More information
on Totem Park |
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