Wildlife Guide to Sitka

The Alaska Raptor Center is one of Sitka's most rewarding wildlife experiences. This beautiful facility is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured bald eagles and other birds of prey. Visitors can learn about each bird's story while supporting an organization that plays an important role in wildlife conservation throughout Alaska.

One of the nicest features is that you can walk there from downtown through Sitka National Historical Park, making the journey just as enjoyable as the destination.

Often called the Totem Pole Park by visitors, Sitka National Historical Park combines towering spruce and hemlock forests with streams, beaches, wildlife, and one of the world's finest collections of Tlingit and Haida totem poles.

As you stroll the trails, keep an eye out for:

• Bald eagles perched high in the trees.

• Ravens, one of Alaska's most intelligent and entertaining birds.

• Salmon spawning in Indian River during the latter part of the summer, when thousands of fish return upstream to complete their life cycle.

The park is peaceful, beautiful, and completely free to explore.

If you're hoping to see whales without booking a boat tour, Whale Park is one of the best places to try.

Located along the shoreline overlooking beautiful Silver Bay, the park offers expansive views of the water where humpback whales are frequently spotted feeding during the summer months. While sightings are never guaranteed, many visitors have been fortunate enough to watch whales surface from shore.

Bring a pair of binoculars, spend a little time watching the bay, and you might be rewarded with one of Alaska's most unforgettable sights.

Fortress of the Bear provides a home for orphaned brown and black bears that cannot be returned to the wild. It offers visitors the opportunity to observe these magnificent animals from elevated viewing platforms while learning about bear behavior and conservation.

 

One thing that surprises many visitors is that the bears live within a large concrete enclosure at the site of Sitka's former pulp mill. While the setting isn't what many people expect, it was specifically adapted to safely house rescued bears that would otherwise have been euthanized.

 

Important: Buy Your Ticket Before You Go

 

Fortress of the Bear has a strict limit on the number of visitors allowed inside at one time. During the busy cruise season, they frequently sell out or have long waits.

Purchase your admission ticket before making the trip so you don't arrive only to discover you cannot enter right away.

 

Getting There

Fortress of the Bear is located several miles outside downtown Sitka, so transportation requires some planning. Your options include:

• Rental car: Approximately $300+ per day during the cruise season.

• Taxi: Rates vary, but expect at least $40 each way, plus any waiting time if you ask the driver to remain while you visit.

• City bus: The most economical option. Current routes, schedules, and fares are available at Ride Sitka.

• Tour operators: Several local tour companies include Fortress of the Bear as part of their sightseeing excursions.

• Wildlife is everywhere in Sitka - simply look around.

• Dress in layers—even summer days can be cool.

• Keep your camera ready. Wildlife often appears when you least expect it.

• Remember that these are wild animals. Observe them respectfully and always follow posted guidelines.

Whether you're watching rescued bears, meeting rehabilitating eagles, spotting salmon beneath your feet, or seeing a humpback whale surface in Silver Bay, Sitka offers unforgettable wildlife experiences both in town and beyond.