Sitka / Tongass National Forest

Starrigavan Campsites

Open — Open year-round with vehicle access restrictions from September 16 through April 30. November through April, all sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis with payment made in fee collection boxes. Reservations available May through October via Recreation.gov.

About

Starrigavan Campsites sits within the Starrigavan Recreation Area in the Tongass National Forest, about seven miles north of Sitka on Baranof Island. The campground offers 34 primitive wooded sites distributed across three loops: Estuary Loop, Backpackers Loop, and Bayside Loop. Sites are nestled within a typical Southeast Alaska temperate rainforest of hemlock and spruce trees with salmonberry bushes, low shrubs, and mosses covering the forest floor. The recreation area provides diverse forest, estuary, and marine habitats with exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. Depending on the season, visitors may encounter brown bears, spawning coho and pink salmon, bald eagles, great blue herons, river otters, and Sitka black-tailed deer. Multiple hiking trails connect within the recreation area, including the ADA-accessible Estuary Life Boardwalk Trail, the Forest and Muskeg Trail, and Mosquito Cove Trail. Both saltwater and freshwater fishing are available nearby. Access to Sitka is only by boat or airplane, with the campground conveniently located just 3/4 mile from the Alaska Marine Highway Sitka Ferry Terminal. The remote location offers a true wilderness camping experience within the world's largest temperate rainforest.

Directions

Located 7 miles north of Sitka at the end of Halibut Point Road and 3/4 mile from the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry Terminal. From the airport, cross Japonski Bridge to downtown Sitka, then take Halibut Point Road north 7 miles. When exiting the ferry terminal parking lot, turn left. Estuary and Backpackers Loop are the last right turn before the road ends. Bayside Loop is the last left turn before the road ends. There are no roads to Sitka; access is via Alaska Marine Highway ferry or Alaska Airlines.

Nearby Campgrounds