Sitka National Historical Park is a National Historical Park in Alaska. This guide combines the park's official information with computed sunrise, sunset and Milky Way times, satellite climate data and 3 photo locations inside or next to the park.
Best photo spots in Sitka
We matched 3 named overlooks, waterfalls, peaks and other features to Sitka. Each has its own page with sun directions and a monthly golden hour table.
Lakes (1)
Lighthouses (1)
State Parks (1)
Sunrise, sunset & golden hour
At Sitka the sunrise point swings a long way through the year: about 41° (NE) at the June solstice and 135° (SE) in late December. Sunset moves from 319° (NW) in June to 225° (SW) in December, and the midday sun climbs to 56° in summer but only 10° in winter.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Golden hour ends | Golden hour starts | Sunset | Sunset az. | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8:29 AM | 9:44 AM | 2:39 PM | 3:53 PM | 230° | 7h 24m |
| February | 7:30 AM | 8:28 AM | 4:05 PM | 5:02 PM | 248° | 9h 32m |
| March | 7:18 AM | 8:08 AM | 6:14 PM | 7:05 PM | 268° | 11h 47m |
| April | 5:53 AM | 6:45 AM | 7:19 PM | 8:10 PM | 290° | 14h 17m |
| May | 4:43 AM | 5:43 AM | 8:15 PM | 9:14 PM | 308° | 16h 31m |
| June | 4:07 AM | 5:14 AM | 8:51 PM | 9:58 PM | 319° | 17h 52m |
| July | 4:30 AM | 5:33 AM | 8:42 PM | 9:46 PM | 314° | 17h 16m |
| August | 5:29 AM | 6:24 AM | 7:50 PM | 8:44 PM | 298° | 15h 15m |
| September | 6:33 AM | 7:23 AM | 6:31 PM | 7:22 PM | 277° | 12h 49m |
| October | 7:35 AM | 8:29 AM | 5:06 PM | 6:00 PM | 256° | 10h 25m |
| November | 7:44 AM | 8:51 AM | 2:43 PM | 3:50 PM | 236° | 8h 06m |
| December | 8:35 AM | 10:01 AM | 1:54 PM | 3:20 PM | 225° | 6h 45m |
Computed for the park's reference point (57.0472, -135.3157); large parks span several minutes of difference.
Milky Way & dark skies
The Milky Way's bright core (in Sagittarius) barely clears the southern horizon at this latitude, so focus on winter Milky Way, aurora or star trails instead.
| Month | Core visible (15th) | Hours | Max altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| February | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| March | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| April | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| May | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| June | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| July | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| August | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| September | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| October | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| November | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| December | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
5 Estimated Bortle 5 — Suburban sky. The Milky Way is weak near the horizon and washed out overhead; long exposures pick up a sky glow.
Weather & best time to visit
Sitka experiences a temperate maritime climate, characterized by heavy precipitation and a small temperature range between seasons. Summer temperatures range from high 50s to high 60s F with frequent rain. Winter is rainy and snowy with temperatures from the high teens to the 40s F. Well prepared visitors will have rain gear and layered clothing at any time of year.
Weather overview: National Park Service.
Long-term NASA satellite data for this area show February as the clearest month (about 74% average cloud cover) and July as the cloudiest (84%). August is the warmest month and January the coldest, which matters for gear, snow access and how long batteries last at night.
Average cloud cover (%)
Average high (°F)
Photography permits, drones & fees
Permits. Under federal law (54 U.S.C. 100905), still photography in National Park Service areas needs a permit only when it (1) takes place where members of the public are not allowed, (2) uses models, sets or props that are not part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities, or (3) would cause the park to incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. Ordinary visitor and most landscape photography needs no permit. Commercial filming rules are separate and have changed in recent years — confirm current requirements with the park before a paid shoot.
Drones. Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) is prohibited in National Park Service units under a 2014 Superintendent's closure (36 CFR 1.5), except where a park has issued specific written approval. Flying from outside the boundary over park land can also violate park rules and disturb wildlife.
Getting there
Sitka National Historical Park is located in downtown Sitka, Alaska. Sitka is situated on Baranof Island, on the outer coast of Alaska's Inside Passage. No roads connect the city to the mainland; Sitka can be reached only by air or sea. Visitors can travel to Sitka by scheduled and charter air services, ferry, and cruise ships.
Directions: National Park Service.
Activities
- Arts and Culture
- Craft Demonstrations
- Fishing
- Food
- Picnicking
- Guided Tours
- Hands-On
- Citizen Science
- Hiking
- Hunting and Gathering
- Gathering and Foraging
- Junior Ranger Program
- Wildlife Watching
- Birdwatching
- Park Film
- Museum Exhibits