SITKA BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Sitka in Three Acts: Bears, Birds and Totem Trails
A land-and-wildlife tour of Sitka that visits Fortress of the Bear, the Alaska Raptor Center and Sitka National Historical Park — a concise field guide to what you’ll see and why it matters.
Sitka in Three Acts: Bears, Birds and Totem Trails.
This Sitka outing links three distinct sites in quick succession: a rescue facility where guests meet Alaska’s coastal brown and black bears; a rehabilitation center for eagles, owls and other raptors; and Sitka National Historical Park, a temperate rainforest peninsula threaded with easy trails and totem poles and rich with local history.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Fortress of the Bear — rescued coastal brown and black bears
A nonprofit rescue facility that houses seven Alaskan bears: four rescued Alaskan Coastal Brown Bears and three Black Bears — the only black bears on Baranof Island — offering one of the most direct encounters with local large mammals available near Sitka.
Alaska Raptor Center — rehabilitation and flight room
A rehabilitation center for birds of prey that maintains a state-of-the-art flight room and is home to multiple rescued eagles, owls and other raptors found in Southeast Alaska.
Sitka National Historical Park — totems and temperate rainforest
A protected temperate rainforest that extends to a peninsula with multiple, easily accessible trail loops that contour Indian River and the Eastern Channel, punctuated by totem poles and anchored by a cultural center with interpreters and traditional demonstrations.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
The tour begins at Harrigan Centennial Hall, where you board a comfortable full‑size passenger van and head south along Sitka’s road system. The route skirts Silver Bay amid high mountains and offers roadside wildlife viewing — bald eagles in the treetops and Sitka black‑tail deer grazing — before delivering focused visits at a bear rescue, a raptor rehabilitation center and the park’s rain‑forested totem trails. Guests can opt to walk the park trails or visit the on‑site cultural center for demonstrations and interpretation.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this tour suits — and who should check further details.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The tour begins at Harrigan Centennial Hall; guests board a comfortable full‑size passenger van to travel along Sitka’s road system between stops.
Three primary sites: Fortress of the Bear (seven rescued bears), the Alaska Raptor Center (rehabilitation and flight room for raptors) and Sitka National Historical Park (temperate rainforest trails and totem poles).
Sitka National Historical Park offers multiple, easily accessible trail loops that follow Indian River and the Eastern Channel; guests can choose to walk the park or visit the cultural center instead.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Where does the tour begin?
The tour begins at Harrigan Centennial Hall, where guests board the passenger van.
Which sites does the tour visit?
The itinerary includes Fortress of the Bear, the Alaska Raptor Center and Sitka National Historical Park (Totem Park).
What kinds of animals might I see?
Visitors can meet rescued coastal brown and black bears at Fortress of the Bear, see rescued eagles, owls and other raptors at the Alaska Raptor Center, and may spot bald eagles and Sitka black‑tail deer along the road; humpback and minke whales can sometimes be seen in Silver Bay in later months.
Can I walk trails in Sitka National Historical Park?
Yes — the park has multiple, easily accessible trail loops that contour Indian River and the Eastern Channel; guests can also opt to visit the cultural center instead of walking.
What cultural experiences are available at the park?
The park’s cultural center provides onsite interpreters, exhibits and demonstrations of traditional techniques such as carving, working with fur, beading and metal working.
How many bears are at the Fortress of the Bear?
The facility is home to seven Alaskan bears: four rescued Alaskan Coastal Brown Bears and three Black Bears.