Sitka National Historical Park: Beautiful Totem Pole Trails and Museum

When people think about visiting Southeast Alaska and the Inside Passage, totem poles and Tlingit culture are one of the first images that come to mind. While Ketchikan is most peoples’ primary point of reference for amazing totem poles and getting to experience the Tlingit Nation’s stories, Sitka National Historical Park is another great place for this. With a network of trails peppered with beautiful totem poles, an exceptional museum and so much knowledge to share, Sitka National Historical Park is one of the best things to do when you’re here.

We’ve got the full scoop on exploring Sitka National Historical Park on foot, the sites to visit and how you can add a day here to your visit to Sitka. If you have any questions about the Park or how to plan your trip through Southeast Alaska, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and show you how to have the most memorable trip possible.

Highlights of Sitka National Historical Park

I think what stands out most to me about visiting the Sitka National Historical Park is how it’s such a multifaceted experience. It’s not just a museum, or not just a few totem poles, but it’s a whole park system meant for education, appreciation and outdoor experiences. Throughout Southeast Alaska there are opportunities to engage with Tlingit culture, whether that be in a museum visit like the nearby Sheldon Jackson Museum, or spending a day at the Saxman Native Village in Ketchikan, but here in Sitka at the National Historical Park, it’s an immersion of Tlingit carvings in nature. You can stop into the visitor center and read up on the long-time inhabitants and learn about the many forms of storytelling and art you’ll see, or you can wander into the woods from the main road and walk the trail system, coming across totem poles deep in the woods or by the beach. I love each way of visiting.

When you’re planning your time in Sitka, you’ll have lots of activities to work into your schedule, but if there’s only one thing you do, make it visiting the Sitka National Historical Park visitor center. It’s so important to understand the history of an area and its people, and that’s why taking time to read the exhibits and enjoy the artistic skills demonstrated (yes, they do carving at the totem shelter) is likely going to be one of your highlights of being in Sitka.

Our favorite part of Sitka National Historical Park is the totem pole trail. Leaving from the visitor center or joined from the connector trail from Sawmill Road, the totem pole path is 1.6 miles and it’s on very flat land. You’ll encounter original and replica totem poles from the exposition that traveled around the USA to show off the cultures of Southeast Alaska before many people had ever come to visit. There is quite the variety of carvings as you explore, including a shame pole, an orca pole and a very modern totem pole that is really stunning. I love this trail system and the whole experience at the park.

Tips for Sitka National Historical Park

“Give yourself at least 90 minutes to enjoy Sitka National Historical Park, as there are several experiences to have while you’re there. It’s about a 20 minute walk from the downtown hotels, only about 15 from the Southeast Resort, and once you complete your visit you’ll be able to visit other sites along the waterfront, including the Sitka Sound Science Center, Sheldon Jackson Museum and the Russian Bishop’s House (which is also a part of the Park). If you’re doing a guided tour of Sitka, most of them do stop at the National Park, but you’re quite limited in how much time you’ll get here. I like to visit on our own as that allows us all the time we need for reading, we can watch the 15 minute film “Voices of Sitka,”” and then we can take our time out on the trails.

When you visit, don’t just pop in and get your National Park Passport stamp. Actually take the time to engage with the exhibits and enjoy the large totem exhibit hall. There’s a lot to do and see in this small space. Once you’ve learned at least three new things, then you should head out onto the totem pole trail. At 1.6 miles round trip, it’s doable for most guests. The trail is wheelchair accessible except for the beach entrances, so it’s an experience nearly all visitors to Sitka can enjoy. I will say though, on a wet day, there are parts of the accessible trail that get soggy, but it’s still very well maintained and easily navigable. This goes for strollers too. When you’re out on the main totem pole trail, you’ll be able to do an out-and-back, a loop, or you can do the spur trail to cross the river and follow another set of paths. Depending on the weather and how much time you have, you can easily enjoy Sitka National Historical Park for more than 2 hours.

One thing to note if you’re into photography, many of the totem poles are in the woods with rather precarious light depending on the weather. Be sure that you’re adjusting your settings for low light shooting when you’re deep in the forest. It can be very frustrating to have to shoot with high ISO when your phone takes great pics on its own, but you’ll find that if you take the time to get your settings right, the pictures are just beautiful. “

Being Prepared for Sitka’s Totem Pole Trail

Since we’re talking about photography, let’s start there. A regular visitor will be fine with a camera phone, and smart phones are so good at dealing with light now, you’ll no doubt get some wonderful photos. If you’re more into photography, a good DSLR or mirrorless camera is awesome to have when you’re shooting totem poles in the forest. And bring your tripod too, as that will allow you to shoot a longer exposure without having a stupid low, grainy ISO.

It’s a bit of a walk from downtown Sitka over to the National Park, so be sure that you’re wearing the right shoes for your adventure. For us, that actually usually means rubber boots (love my XTRATUFs) because Sitka is such a wet, rainy place. And then we like to compliment the rubber boots with the most stylish of rain gear. Yeah, I know, nobody looks good in rain gear but when you do your walk in the moist, drippy, mossy forest of Sitka, you’ll be glad you’re staying dry.

I recommend bringing snacks and water along on your Sitka National Historical Park day. There are no food options at the park, unless the food truck set up at the end of the trail and up out of the park, so it’s better to be ready with snacks. When you leave there is the Ludvig’s Chowder Counter not far from the visitor center, but they have really limited hours.

Sitka’s Russian Bishop’s House

As you walk around town, you’ll see lots of influence and some historic sites from when Alaska was controlled by Russia, including the Russian Bishop’s House. This large building just off the harbor is open for self-guided exploring, filled with exhibits about Russian presence in Sitka and stories from the transition to American rule. If you time it right, you can do a ranger-led tour of the upstairs of the Russian Bishop’s House, which is the only way you get to see the whole building. Even though this structure and exhibits aren’t directly adjacent to the main Sitka National Historical Park area, it’s just a few minutes away and you’ll have to walk by it anyways when you head to the totem pole trail and visitor center.

Getting to Sitka National Historical Park

If you happen to have a car in Sitka (a rare thing for visitors) there is a small parking lot near the visitor center with a ramp down to the main building and trail entrances. For most of us though, we’ll be enjoying the walk from downtown. If you’re pairing your visit to Sitka National Historical Park with a trip to the Alaska Raptor Center, you can actually cut down on the connector trail from the main road and join the totem pole loop near the end of it. It’s a great way to visit multiple cool Sitka sites in one outing.

Things to Do in Sitka

I think Sitka is a really cool city. It’s much less visited than Ketchikan or Juneau and has so much to do and see all within walking distance of the primary marina downtown. It’s full of Tlingit culture and Russian imperial history, and there are some wonderful wildlife education and viewing opportunities. I think Sitka is a really good three day visit, but then if you’re also planning some fishing or hiking days you can easily make it a five day town.

Something that really stands out to me about visiting Sitka is how accessible history all in its central hub. You’ve got several museums, Sitka National Historical Part and more all within walking distance of each other. If you’re into science and wildlife, you’ve got several places to visit that are all about Alaska’s habitats and the science of its keystone species. Sitka is so cool.

Where to Stay in Sitka

There are three ways to enjoy Sitka as a visitor: on a day visit from a cruise ship, staying in a cozy spot downtown, or enjoying one of the remote lodges. Everyone has a different plan for how they want to experience Sitka and Southeast Alaska, and everyone’s budget is different, so book what’s right for you. Here are some recommendation for Sitka:

You can also checkout lodging options in the map below: