Campground Details - STARRIGAVAN CAMPSITES, AK - ReserveAmerica

Overview

Starrigavan Campsites lie within Starrigavan Recreation Area about seven miles north of Sitka. Visitors enjoy hiking, picnicking, fishing and kayaking. Starrigavan Recreation Area. The campsites are accessible only by the Alaska Marine Highway (ferry) or by airplane. Learn more about the campsites here.

Natural Features:

The campsites are situated within a typical temperate rainforest of hemlock and spruce trees with salmonberry bushes, low shurbs and mosses covering the forest floor.

The Starrigavan Recreation Area is home to a diverse range of forest, estuary and marine habitats. Depending on the season, visitors might spot brown bear, bufflehead, spawning coho (silver) salmon and pink (humpy salmon), common merganser, eagles, great blue heron, kingfisher, river otter or Sitka black-tailed deer.

Recreation:

Hiking, picnicking and kayaking are popular pursuits at Starrigavan. Visitors also enjoy fishing in saltwater and freshwater areas. Many bird and wildlife viewing opportunities exist. Hiking options include the Estuary Life Boardwalk Trail, Forest and Muskeg Trail, the Mosquito Cove Trail and numerous intertwining path and roadways of the recreation area.

Facilities:

This primitive camping area is fully accessible and offers a variety of accommodations, including group tent sites, individual campsites (both drive in, hike in, only one pull through) and Starrigavan Creek Cabin. Several sites overlook Starrigavan Bay; others are close to Starrigavan Creek. Maximum RV length accommodated to 38 feet.

Two small group tent sites accommodate up to 20 people, offering twice the amount of tent space and vehicle parking as individual campsites. They also have covered cooking shelters with two picnic tables, a large grill and a fire ring with two log benches.

Picnic tables, campfire rings, gravel tent pads and gravel parking spurs are furnished at the individual sites. Vault toilets, drinking water, bear-proof food lockers and seasonal trash collection. Firewood is provided for a small fee. A dump station is located in Sitka, 7 miles away.

Nearby Attractions:

The State of Alaska's Old Sitka State Historic Site is nearby. Visitors can take half or full-day kayak trips to Katlian Bay and Siginaka Islands.

Activities and Amenities

Within Facility
Accessible Flush Toilets Accessible Picnic Areas Drinking Water Firewood Grills Host	Parking Area Picnic Shelters Tent Pads Tent sites Trailheads Trash Collection
Within 10 Miles
Bank Bike Rentals Biking Boardwalk Boat Ramp Boating Cabin Rentals Dump Station Educational Programs Fishing Fishing Supplies	General Store Grocery Store Historic Sites Laundry Facilities Museum Off-Road Vehicle Trails Post Office RV sites Restaurant Showers

Know Before You Go

Open year round with vehicle access May 1 through early November. Access gates close and lock daily 9 AM to 9 AM May 1 through Labor Day
If arriving with a vehicle during gate closures and before midnight, contact manager at 907-747-4216 in advance to arrange vehicle access
Starrigavan Host is located in cabin at last left-hand turn before the end of the state highway
Food storage required
An active population of brown bears inhabits Starrigavan. Be bear aware by: being noisy, storing food in vehicles or high in a tree when not actively eating at table or around fire ring, keeping dogs leashed and under control, cleaning food remnants off grills, packing garbage to bear-proof garbage cans provided at the host site and not cleaning or smoking fish within Starrigavan Recreation Area
Tent pads are gravel; for comfort, additional padding may be needed under tent and/or sleeping bags
Additional campsites available on first come, first served basis
Use of recreation area by a commercial outfitter or guide is not allowed; institutional outfitters including universities, schools and clubs may require a special use permit before making reservations
Click here to learn more about the Tongass National Forest

Getting There:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
57.13278, -135.36639
57°7'58"N, 135°21'59"W

Starrigavan Recreation Area is located 7 miles northeast of Sitka at the end of Halibut Point Road and 3/4 mile from the local Alaska Marine Highway Ferry Terminal. There are no roads to Sitka. Access is via the Alaska Marine Highway or Alaska Airlines.

Upon exiting the Ferry Terminal parking lot, turn left. Estuary and Backpackers Loop are the last right hand turn before the end of the highway. Bayside Loop is the last left hand turn before the end of the highway.

From the airport, go across Japonski Bridge to downtown Sitka. Take Halibut Point Road north 7 miles to Starrigavan Recreation Area.