The City and Borough of Sitka is a unified city-borough located on Baranof Island and the southern half of Chichagof Island in the Alexander Archipelago of the Pacific Ocean (part of the Alaska Panhandle), in the U.S. state of Alaska.
Sitka is the only Inside Passage community that fronts the Pacific Ocean, hugging Baranof Island’s west shore in the shadow of the impressive Mount Edgecumbe, a dormant volcano with a graceful cone reminiscent of Japan’s Mount Fuji.
There are 22 buildings in Sitka on the National Register of Historic Places, so there’s plenty to see on a walk through town. Downtown features numerous art galleries, a fine bookstore and gift shops, while the city’s main event during the summer is the Sitka Summer Music Festival.
Sitka offers superb hiking with trails that begin in the lush rainforest that surrounds the city and often end up high in the mountains. The Tongass National Forest can provide information and maps to more area trails for hiking and camping information.
There are outstanding fly fishing opportunities in the Sitka area for all 5 species of salmon as well as trout, char and a multitude of saltwater species. Freshwater and shoreline fishing around Sitka has something for everyone from the seasoned angler to the novice wanting to give it a try.
