Recreational Opportunities
Sitka has a great variety of recreational opportunities. There is more to see and do in Sitka than in other towns of comparable size. With just fourteen miles of highway, you will have more time to spend pursuing your hobbies and interests and less time driving.
For a night out Sitka offers
- Two movie theaters - they are small but get first run films at the same time they are released in the lower 48 states.
- Numerous restaurants, including: Chinese, Mexican, Italian, Japanese sushi bar, four fine dining establishments, several family restaurants, McDonalds and Subway franchises, and more...
- Evening concerts, plays, performances, and lectures throughout the year CLICK HERE for a current list of major scheduled events.
- Download the COMMUNITY CALENDAR for 2012.
- Wintertime "monthly grind" where the community shows off its talent and sense of humor.
- Numerous clubs and fraternal organizations hold regular meetings and events.
Outdoor Recreation
Fishing - Fish for salmon, halibut and other salt-water species or try fly fishing in one of the nearby lakes or streams. There are several equipment outfitters in town and fly-shop. Clams, shrimp, crab, and other sea edibles are also harvested locally. The annual Sitka Salmon Derby is held in mid-summer.
Diving and snorkeling - Sitka offers some of the best diving in the Pacific Northwest. Island Fever Diving is a full service dive shop offering dive certification courses and excursions. Anemones, sea stars, nudibranchs (sea slugs), jelly fish, crabs, and octopus are some of the more common creatures you might see in local waters. You might also spot: seals, sea lions, whales, or otters.
Underwater - Don't want to get wet? You can still enjoy a tour of the rich marinescape in Sitka Sound with Sea Life Discovery Tours. Stay dry and warm aboard the M/V Sea Life Discovery, Alaska's original semi-submersible vessel.
Golf - Sea Mountain Golf offers a challenging 9 hole course, putting green, chipping area, covered driving range, and restaurant. All in a fantastic natural setting. The image to the left is one of the views from the golf course looking toward Mt. Edgecumbe - a dormant volcano. Watch for bald eagles and huge ravens in the trees surrounding the course. Oh and the occassional brown bear.
Bicycling - Sitka received a bronze level "Bicycle Friendly Community" award in 2008 and 2012. There is a full service bike shop with rentals, sales, and repair.
Hiking - Hike an extensive network of trails that range from rugged alpine splendor to easy boardwalks with interpretive signs. There is even a trail to the summit of Mt. Edgecumbe, a dormant volcano. A hiking club holds regular group hikes from May to the end of August. Sitka Trail Works provides a description of each trail, including distance and difficulty level. More information about outdoor adventures can be found at the SEATrails web site.
Kayaking - Kayaking is a popular activity, allowing a unique view of Sitka's wild beauty from the surface of lake or sea. From a kayak you can get closer to sea otters, seals, sea lions, whales, and the many bird species that call Sitka home. Don't own your own kayak? Want to rent one, or even go on a fully guided tour? Check out Sitka Sound Adventures and they will take good care of you.
Adventure Actvities - other outdoor options include ATV tours and ocean rafting. Greenling Enterprises offers you a chance to get out into the real Alaska, on land and sea.
The Alaska Raptor Center is Alaska’s premier avian hospital which rehabilitates injured bald eagles and all other wild birds. The Bald Eagle Flight Training facility is state-of-the-art, allowing visitors to view eagles without the human presence interfering. Guided tours are offered May through September. Also the facility has a beautiful and short hiking loop that lends the visitor rainforest, river and mountain views.
Campgrounds - There two campgrounds and numerous day use picnic areas available.
Shooting ranges - Indoor and outdoor shooting ranges.
City Parks and Recreational Facilities
- Ball fields and associated facilities = Nine (9)
- Playgrounds = Seven (7)
- Basketball and tennis courts
- Parks = Seven (7)
Sitka Parks and Recreation Department web site - The city of Sitka also maintains two public hot tubs at Goddard Hot Springs, about 17 water miles south of town. The United States Forest Service maintains recreational cabins throughout the Tongass National Forest that can be rented.
Community, Cultural and Fraternal Organizations
- American Legion, Post No. 13
- Alaska Native Brotherhood Camp #1 - 100 Year Anniversary in 2012
- Alaska Native Sisterhood Camp #4
- Baranof Arts & Crafts Association
- Elks Lodge #1662
- Emblem Club #142
- Island Institute
- Masonic Temple
- Ocean Wave Quilters
- Rainy Day Doll Makers
- Rotary Club
- Sitka Fine Arts Camp
- Sitka Local Foods Network
- Sitka Moose Lodge #1350
- Sitka Soroptimist Club #409
- Sitka Summer Music Festival
NOTE: This is only a short, partial list.
