Starrigavan Campground and Day Use

$12.00–$30.00/night

Show on map 907-747-6671 sm.fs.r10_sitka_rd@usda.gov

SITKA RANGER DISTRICT, 2108 HALIBUT POINT RD
SITKA, AK 99835

Overview

Starrigavan Campsites lie within Starrigavan Recreation Area about seven miles north of Sitka. Visitors enjoy hiking, photography, wildlife viewing, picnicking, fishing and kayaking. Learn more about the campsites here.

Access to Sitka is by boat or airplane. The campsites are a two-minute drive from the Alaska Marine Highway Sitka Ferry Terminal or a seven-mile drive from downtown Sitka or the airport.

Recreation

Hiking, picnicking and wildlife viewing 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.

For information about fishing permits and seasons, visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game .

Facilities

This primitive camping area is fully accessible and offers a variety of accommodations, including group tent sites, individual campsites (both drive in, one is pull through, and hike-in) and Starrigavan Creek Cabin. Several sites overlook Starrigavan Bay; others are close to Starrigavan Creek. Maximum RV length accommodated is 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 are provided. Firewood is provided for a small fee. A dump station is located in Sitka, seven miles away.

Natural Features

The campsites are situated within a typical temperate rainforest of hemlock and spruce trees with salmonberry bushes, low shrubs 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, spawning coho (silver) and pink (humpy) salmon, common merganser, bufflehead, bald eagle, great blue heron, kingfisher, river otter or Sitka black-tailed deer.

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.

Camp site features

Across 34 camp sites:

ADA accessible: 33 of 34 sites
Group sites: 2 of 34 sites
Longest RV: 38 ft
Largest party: 20 people
Equipment: RV, Tent, Trailer

Directions

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.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 1 PM.

Reviews

11 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

1 stars

Christine L

Loop:Bays

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Overall, we enjoyed our stay, but things didn't go as planned. I had reserved a beachfront campsite online before we arrived, but when we got there, another group was already camping on that site. We went to the host cabin and were told that reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance. Even after showing the host my reservation confirmation, we were asked to choose a different campsite instead. The campsite we ended up with was perfectly sufficient and once we got settled, we were able to enjoy the experience. We purchased firewood, and the host kindly delivered it directly to our campsite. We walked a nice boardwalk trail in the evening, and overnight, we heard salmon splashing in the water and owls calling from the trees. The only lingering frustration was the reservation process. I was charged $24 when I booked online, but the host told me the campsite only cost $16. We were not refunded the difference. It was disappointing to pay more for an online reservation that didn't actually guarantee the campsite we selected. The online booking system seems misleading if it neither secures the reserved site nor reflects the correct price. With a few improvements to the reservation process, this would have been an easy five-star stay.

Gary B

Loop:Bays (Day Use Only)

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

The area is large with a great view of the ocean. It has clean and well maintained. Suitable for a large group.

Sharon M

Loop:Estu

Site:

Reviewed 4 months ago

Great location for hiking and kayaking. Very quiet and peaceful.

Sharon M

Loop:Estu

Site:

Reviewed 5 months ago

Such a beautiful, peaceful campground.

James P

Loop:Estu

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

Camping sites appear to get little use. Over all, our stay was comfortable, but the pull-in were very muddy, the grate over the fire pit was bent so badly it was unuseable, and the picnic table had moss growing in all of the gaps, causing it to hold moisture instead of drain between the slats. The trails were nice, restrooms were clean, good water available.

Barbara W

Loop:Estu

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

Beautiful campground!! Very friendly and helpful host:) Convenient location to town with a beautiful drive. The estuary boardwalk trail is a must do, as is the drive up Harbor Mountain. Our site was located near the artesian well which was frequented by locals getting drinking water. This and the estuary in general generated a lot of campground traffic. We were glad the gates were closed overnight to cut down the traffic. There was no garbage collection available, so each day we "donated" to a different public day use site garbage. The RV campground down the road offered showers with a donation.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve