Baranof Island Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Island

Facts and practical information

Baranof Island, nestled in the scenic Sitka region of Alaska, is a haven for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike. This majestic island offers a unique blend of rugged wilderness and rich cultural heritage, making it an ideal destination for those craving an authentic Alaskan experience.

The island's breathtaking landscapes are a sight to behold. Towering snow-capped mountains, dense forests, and pristine fjords dominate the scenery, providing a picturesque backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking trails crisscross the island, leading visitors through ancient forests and rewarding them with panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness. Wildlife enthusiasts will be delighted to encounter a myriad of creatures, including majestic bald eagles, playful sea otters, and graceful humpback whales.

Baranof Island is also steeped in history and culture. The vibrant town of Sitka, located on the island's western coast, was once the capital of Russian America and showcases a fascinating blend of Russian and Native Alaskan influences. Visitors can explore the Sitka National Historical Park, home to the iconic Totem Poles, which tell the stories of the Tlingit people who have inhabited the region for thousands of years.

For those seeking a taste of adventure, the island offers a range of thrilling activities. Fishing enthusiasts can embark on a guided fishing tour, casting their lines in the abundant waters teeming with salmon and halibut. Kayaking through the island's serene fjords and exploring hidden coves is an unparalleled experience, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the island's unspoiled beauty.

Baranof Island is also a gateway to the magnificent Tongass National Forest, the largest national forest in the United States. Nature lovers can embark on a scenic flightseeing tour, soaring above the vast expanse of ancient forests and cascading waterfalls. Alternatively, they can embark on a guided wildlife viewing excursion, spotting bears, wolves, and an array of bird species in their natural habitat.

Alternative names: Area: 1569.5 mi²Maximum elevation: 5390 ftArchipelago: Alexander ArchipelagoCoordinates: 56°56'59"N, 135°1'44"W

Location

AlaskaUnited States

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Baranof Island Top Attractions

Baranof Island Attractions - What to See and Explore

Baranof Island offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Medvejie Lake, Mount Verstovia, Blue Lake, Baranof Lake. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Medvejie Lake
Medvejie Lake is a long, narrow, snow-fed lake on Baranof Island just south of Sitka, Alaska in the Alaskan Panhandle, which drains into Silver Bay, eight miles southeast of Sitka, on west coast of Baranof Island, Alexander Archipelago.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Mount Verstovia
The prominent peak of Mount Verstovia is located just 2.6 miles east of the center of Sitka, Alaska, on Baranof Island, Alexander Archipelago.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Blue Lake
Blue Lake is a 3 miles long reservoir located 6 miles east of the town of Sitka, on the west side of Baranof Island, in the Alexander Archipelago of Southeast Alaska.

Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Baranof Lake
Baranof Lake is a glacially-fed, horseshoe-shaped lake on the eastern side of Baranof Island, in Alaska. Baranof Lake borders the community of Baranof Warm Springs and also has a Forest Service cabin on the northwestern end of the lake.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Indigo Lake
Indigo Lake or simply Indigo is a lake lying ten miles southeast of central Sitka, on the western coast of Baranof Island in the Alexander Archipelago of Alaska. The name was reported in 1954 by local Sitkan Robert N.
Nature • Natural attraction • Protected area
South Baranof Wilderness
The South Baranof Wilderness is a federally designated wilderness area within the Tongass National Forest, located on Baranof Island, Alaska.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Camp Lake
Camp Lake is a small snow-melt and rain-fed lake that feeds into the Blue Lake watershed on Baranof Island in the Alexander Archipelago in the Alaskan Panhandle.
Archaeological site
Old Sitka Site
The Redoubt St. Archangel Michael Site, also known as the Old Sitka Site and now in Old Sitka State Historical Park, is a National Historic Landmark near Sitka, Alaska.
Nature • Mountain
Mount Arrowhead
The prominent peak of Mount Verstovia is located just 2.6 miles east of the center of Sitka, Alaska, on Baranof Island, Alexander Archipelago.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Redoubt Lake
Redoubt Lake, or Kunaa Shak Áayi, is a long, narrow lake on Baranof Island, near Sitka, Alaska. It is located in a glacially-carved valley in Tongass National Forest.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Mount Furuhelm
Mount Furuhelm is a 3,620 foot peak located on Baranof Island just east and adjacent to Peak 5390 in Alaska. It is located at 57°03′00″N 134°55′47″W.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Mount Bassie
Mount Bassie is a large mountain in the center of Baranof Island, Alaska, United States, within the City and Borough of Sitka. Mount Bassie is a massive hulk of rock, its footprint covering nearly five square miles.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Green Lake
Green Lake, or Gageit' Tá, is a lake/reservoir south of Sitka City and Borough, Alaska. It is fed by the Vodopad River and outflows into Silver Bay. Green Lake serves as home to several pens to the Medvejie Fish Hatchery. The lake is artificially expanded by the Green Lake Dam. The lake height before damming was 230 feet.
57°30'0"N • 135°30'0"W
Gold mining in Alaska
Gold mining in Alaska, a state of the United States, has been a major industry and impetus for exploration and settlement since a few years after the United States acquired the territory in 1867 from the Russian Empire. Russian explorers discovered placer gold in the Kenai River in 1848, but no gold was produced.

Day trips

Baranof Island – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Baranof Island, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Sitka National Historical Park (Sitka), Sound Science Center (Sitka), Castle Hill (Sitka).

13 milesNW
Museum, History museum
Sitka National Historical Park, Sitka
Sitka National Historical Park is a national historical park in Sitka in the U.S. state of Alaska. It was redesignated as a national historical park from its previous status as national monument on October 18, 1972.
13 milesNW
Museum, Science museum
Sound Science Center, Sitka
The Sitka Sound Science Center is a non-profit dedicated to research and education in Alaska in Sitka, Alaska. It is based in the Sage Building, which is located on Lincoln Street across from the old Sheldon Jackson Campus.
13 milesNW
View point, Park, Historical place
Castle Hill, Sitka
Castle Hill also known as the American Flag-Raising Site and now as the Baranof Castle State Historic Site, is a National Historic Landmark and state park in Sitka, Alaska.
13 milesNW
Church built by Russians in 1848
St. Michael's Cathedral, Sitka
St. Michael's Cathedral is a cathedral of the Orthodox Church in America Diocese of Alaska, at Lincoln and Matsoutoff Streets in Sitka, Alaska.
13 milesNW
Nature and wildlife, Park, Zoo
Alaska Raptor Center, Sitka
The Alaska Raptor Center is a raptor rehabilitation center in Sitka in the U.S. state of Alaska. Located on a 17–acre campus bordering the Tongass National Forest and the Indian River.