Page 41 - RV Alaska

SOUTHEAST ALASKA
Sitka is an island community boldly
living between the mountains and
sea, where the arts flourish and an
ancient native culture still thrives.
Surrounded by rainforest, we share
our home with brown bears, bald
eagles and all five species of Pacific
salmon. In Sitka, we are deeply
connected to the natural world
around us. It informs our culture
and inspires our art. Sitka is the
place where wilderness and culture
collide. Curiosity is encouraged! Are
you outdoorsy or a museum fan?
A thrill seeker or a nature lover?
Looking for an unusual getaway
or an inspiring retreat? In Sitka,
we’ve got you covered. Inspire
your imagination. Refresh your
spirit. Explore, grow and connect with
our community’s welcoming spirit.
Sitka has something for everyone.
Famous for world-class fishing in salt
and fresh water, you can book guided
trips or rent a boat and gear for your
own adventure. Sitka is the wilderness
home to eagles, brown bears, whales,
sea lions and all five species of
Pacific salmon. The community is a
welcoming melting pot of ancient
native Tlingit culture, Russian trader
influence and modern American
culture. Visitor highlights include
Sitka National Historic Park, the site
of the 1804 Battle of Sitka between
invading Russian traders and the
local Tlingit clan. Russian influence
can be found across downtown,
most notably at St. Michael’s Russian
Orthodox Cathedral, an active
church that houses an important
collection of artifacts and icons
that date to the 17th century. Sitka
is home to two renowned animal
rehabilitation centers that are open
to the public – Fortress of the Bear
and Alaska Raptor Center. A visit
is not complete without tasting a
luscious bite of freshly caught local
seafood, which can be found at over
a dozen restaurants from one end
of the island to the other. And you
can purchase fresh seafood to take
home or cook at your campsite.
Sitka is brimming with local artists
who create everything from nature
inspired paintings, handwoven
baskets to hand carved native metal
bracelets. Local artisans create an
amazing array of special treats that
are locally sourced and locally crafted
including handmade soaps, kelp
pickles, smoked salmon, pure sea
salt and lotions made from the local
devil’s club plant.
Being an island community, Sitka is
only accessible by water or air. The
Alaska Marine Highway Ferry makes
regular stops in Sitka, and barges
arrive multiple times per week.
Sitka offers four RV parks and a free
municipal dump station. Suppliers
include two hardware stores, an auto
supply store, three grocery stores,
four outdoor gear locations and a
large marine supply center.
The Alaska Marine Highway System
provides an extraordinary opportunity
to navigate the Inside Passage at
a leisurely pace. Passengers can
embark – with or without their
vehicle or RV – at Bellingham,
Washington (just north of Seattle)
from the south, and in Skagway or
Haines, Alaska from the north. Sitka
Tours ferry shuttle provides daytime
transportation to/from the Sitka Ferry
Terminal (907) 747-5800 or contact a
local taxi company in advance.
The route includes a ferry, so be sure
to check the ferry schedule (www.
dot.state.ak.us/amhs) when planning.
From Anchorage, head south
on Seward Highway which runs
along Cook Inlet. At the end of the
Turnagain Arm, take the Portage
Glacier Highway toward Whittier. A
portion of this highway is a single-
lane tunnel which opens to Whittier
on the half-hour for fifteen minutes
and from Whittier on the hour for
fifteen minutes, so account for this
when looking at the ferry schedule.
There is a toll of $13 for RVs less than
28 feet long not pulling trailers to
use the tunnel. For more information
visit dot.alaska.gov. The trip to Valdez
takes about 2 hours 45 minutes via
the high-speed ferry. Heading north
from Valdez, the Richardson Highway
is surrounded by sheer canyon walls
containing waterfalls and interesting
rock formations. There is a six to
eight-hour drive on the Richardson
and Glenn Highways back to
Anchorage for a full loop.
  ROAD TRIP
and ferry
WHALES & GLACIERS
This trip begins and ends in Anchorage and encompasses Valdez,
Cordova and Whittier, involving a ferry to Cordova and onto Whittier.
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Whittier
Palmer
Anchorage
Glennallen
Valdez
Cordova
Photo courtesy of Visit Sitka
Photo courtesy of Visit Sitka
Sitka
Sealing Cove RV Park
Sawmill Creek Campground
Sitka Sportsman’s Association
Starrigavan Recreation Area
visitsitka.org/where-to-stay/camping-rv-parks
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