Activities and Events

Sitka's residents and visitors have a lot of activities and events to choose from. The windows of our local bookstore are constantly covered with flyers for upcoming performing arts events, hikes, wild life cruises, and other activities.

Event Calendars An on-line calendar of major annual events is hosted by the Sitka Convention & Visitors Bureau. A more detailed Community Calendar of events and activities is posted on the KCAW Raven Radio website.

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 interests and less time driving.

Outdoor Recreation

Fishing -  While in Sitka, you can 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 and charter fishing operators in town. Clams, shrimp, crab, and other sea edibles are also harvested locally. The annual Sitka Salmon Derby is held over two weekends around Memorial Day each year.

Diving and snorkeling -  Sitka's offers some of the best diving in the Pacific Northwest however,  Sitka's full service dive shop closed and this is an opportunity for another dive shop to take over, 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.

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 occasional brown bear.

Bicycling - Sitka received a bronze level "Bicycle Friendly Community" award in 2008 and 2012 and a silver level in 2016. There is a full service bike shop with rentals, sales, and repair in Sitka as well.

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 Activities - other outdoor options include ATV tours and ocean rafting. Sitka Alaska Outfitters offers you a chance to get out into the real Alaska, on land and sea.

Wildlife Viewing -  Sitka's forests and waters are rich with a variety of wildlife: brown bears, deer, mink, martin, seals, sea lions, otters, eagles, ravens and numerous other birds are frequently seen by residents and visitors alike.  Sitka has more bald eagles than pigeons!

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.

Fortress of the Bear is a 501(c)3 non-profit education and rescue center with a three-quarter acre habitat for orphaned brown bear cubs complete with covered viewing areas. A small animal farm area, public restrooms, and a small gift shop are also on site. Five adult brown bears reside here as well as three black bears.

Campgrounds - There two campgrounds and numerous day use picnic areas available. 
The US Forest Service rents a small log cabin at Starrigavan Creek campground. For more information on the campsite or cabin CLICK HERE and go to the bottom of the page. 
CLICK HERE for more information on cabins and camping options in the Tongass National Forest.

Shooting ranges - Indoor and outdoor shooting ranges are managed by the Sitka Sportsman's Association. There is also an RV camping area at the shooting rage, which is near the ferry terminal.

City Parks and Recreational Facilities

  • Ball fields and associated facilities = Nine (9)
  • Playgrounds = Three (3)
  • Basketball and tennis courts
  • Parks = Seven (7)
    Sitka Parks and Recreation Department web site
  • The City also maintains two public hot tubs at Goddard Hot Springs, about 17 nautical miles from south of town.
  • The United States Forest Service maintains recreational cabins throughout the Tongass National Forest that can be rented. CLICK HERE for more information on cabins and camping options in the Tongass.

Community, Cultural and Fraternal Organizations