Halibut Point

Halibut Point State Recreation Site provides coastal access and camping near Sitka on Baranof Island in Southeast Alaska. The 10-acre site offers beaches, tide pools, and forested camping in the spectacular island setting of the Alexander Archipelago. The recreation site serves as a gateway to marine recreation and wildlife viewing in one of Alaska's most scenic regions.

The marine environment supports diverse wildlife including sea otters, harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and occasional whales visible from shore. Bald eagles are abundant, perching in shoreline trees and fishing the productive waters. The intertidal zone hosts a diversity of invertebrates including sea stars, anemones, and crabs. Black-tailed deer browse the forest edges while ravens and other corvids patrol the campground.

Temperate rainforest of Sitka spruce and western hemlock dominates the site, with moss-draped trees creating the characteristic Southeast Alaska ambiance. The understory features salmonberry, blueberry, and devil's club in dense growth. Rocky shorelines support hardy coastal plants adapted to salt spray, while colorful algae and kelp mark the intertidal zone.

Baranof Island is composed of ancient oceanic terranes accreted to North America over millions of years through plate tectonics. The rocky shoreline exposes metamorphic rocks that have been folded, faulted, and transformed by heat and pressure. Glaciers carved the island's mountainous interior, while sea level changes have shaped the current coastline.

Sitka's maritime climate brings mild temperatures year-round, with summer highs in the upper 50s°F and winter lows rarely below 20°F. Annual precipitation exceeds 90 inches, making this one of the wettest locations in Alaska. Cloudy, rainy weather is the norm, though clear days offer spectacular views. Ocean temperatures remain cold year-round.

Tlingit peoples have occupied Baranof Island for thousands of years, with Sitka serving as a major center of their civilization. Russian colonization established Sitka as the capital of Russian America from 1808 until the U.S. purchase in 1867. The town has maintained its cultural richness through centuries of Tlingit and Russian heritage.

Halibut Point State Recreation Site was developed to provide public beach access and camping near Sitka. The site offers an accessible coastal experience in a region where much of the shoreline is in private or federal ownership. It serves both local residents and the many visitors who travel to Sitka for its cultural attractions and natural beauty.

Beach exploration and tide pool viewing are primary attractions, with the rocky shore revealing marine life at low tide. The campground offers sites in old-growth forest just steps from the ocean. Wildlife viewing opportunities include sea otters, seals, and abundant bald eagles. The site provides access to fishing, kayaking, and other marine recreation.

The recreation site offers approximately 10 campsites, vault toilets, picnic areas, and beach access. Located about 4 miles from downtown Sitka, it is accessible by paved road. Sitka is served by the Alaska Marine Highway and daily jet service from Juneau and other communities. The site operates year-round, though winter use is limited.

The site provides public access while protecting the sensitive intertidal and old-growth forest environments. Leave No Trace principles help minimize impacts in this compact coastal setting. The site demonstrates successful integration of recreation with preservation of natural and scenic values in Southeast Alaska's irreplaceable island landscape.