Welcome to the City of Sitka Parks and Recreation Division
To register for programs, request facility reservations, apply for scholarships and see all of our program offerings please visit http://recreation.cityofsitka.com
Mission Statement
To preserve the quality of life in Sitka by maintaining and expanding recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.
PUBLIC NOTICE: Comment Period for 2026 Recreation Permit Applications
The City of Sitka is now accepting public comments regarding 2026 commercial recreational land use permit applications. Please direct all correspondence to: recreation@cityofsitka.org. Members of the public may address multiple permits in one email. Public comments will be accepted until the end of the day on February 1, 2026.
Notice Regarding Application Data: Certain applications are currently pending verification regarding estimated group sizes, weekly frequency, and total client numbers. Once this data is finalized, a comprehensive table detailing the proposed use for each area will be published. The public is asked to focus their comments for these permits on the applicants’ submitted operational plans, as permitted client numbers will be verified and ultimately determined by the adopted 2026 Commercial Recreational Land Use Plan. To subscribe to updates on this page to get an email when announcements are published, please see the “Email Updates” option at the top of this page.
Listing Format: The applications listed below are categorized by the general area requested. Please note that some applicants have submitted requests for multiple distinct areas (e.g., Special Use Areas and Local Trails).
| Special Use Areas (Baranof Warm Springs, Goddard Hot Springs, Takatz Bay) | Applicant Name | Area(s) Requested |
| ABC Coastal Excursions, LLC | Jeren Schmidt | Baranof Warm Springs |
| Alaska Coastal Outfitters | Luke Bastian | Baranof Warm Springs |
| Alaska Luxury Tours | Travis Holt | Baranof Warm Springs |
| Alaska Wild Coast, LLC | John Dunlap | Goddard Hot Springs |
| Alaskan Song Charters | Jonathan Yoors | Baranof Warm Springs |
| Baranof Wilderness Lodge | Michael Trotter | Baranof Warm Springs |
| Bear Paw Charters LLC | Chrystal Rozander | Baranof Warm Springs |
| Cinesea Voyagez LLC (DBA Sitka Wonders) | Ben Hamilton | Baranof Warm Springs |
| Discovery Journeys | Ben Swanson | Baranof Warm Springs |
| Elysium Expeditions | Dustin Hack | Baranof Warm Springs, Takatz Bay |
| Innersea Discoveries DBA UnCruise Adventures | Marlie Shelton | Baranof Warm Springs, Takatz Bay |
| Lindblad Expeditions, LLC | Sarah Weisbuch | Takatz Bay |
| Lone Eagle Resorts, DBA Pybus Point Lodge | Darryl Bosshardt | Baranof Warm Springs |
| Maple Leaf Adventures Corp. | Ella Mister-Douglas | Baranof Warm Springs |
| Morning Glass Fisheries, LLC, DBA Equinox | Cameo Padilla | Baranof Warm Springs |
| Sound Sailing - SV BOB | BLAIN ANDERSON | Baranof Warm Springs |
| Staniel Cay | Ettienne Van Rhyn | Baranof Warm Springs, Goddard Hot Springs |
| Takeena Adventures LLC | Chris Lillehoff | Baranof Warm Springs |
| Talon Charters, inc | Philip Younger | Baranof Warm Springs, Goddard Hot Springs |
| The Boat Company | Paul Olson | Baranof Warm Springs |
| Tongass Expeditions LLC DBA Alaska Yacht Charters | Ryan Lindsay | Baranof Warm Springs |
| Tongass Troll Tours & Taxi LLC | Alexander Allison | Goddard Hot Springs |
| Undaunted Yacht Management DBA Alaska Bound Charters M/Y Dauntless | Alisa Jestel | Baranof Warm Springs, Goddard Hot Springs |
| Local Trails and Assets | Applicant Name | Area(s) Requested |
| Alpenglow Adventures Sitka | Laura Tirman | Cross Trail South, Cross Trail North, Gavan Hill Access, Inidan River, Thimbleberry/Heart Lake, Herring Cove/Beaver Lake |
| Alaska Luxury Tours | Travis Holt | Cross Trail South, Indian River |
| Beyond the Dock Tours LLC | Kealoha Harmon | Cross Trail North, Cross Trail South, Indian River, Thimbleberry/Heart Lake, Herring Cove Beaver Lake, Blue Lake Road, Whale Park |
| Bumble Expeditions LLC | Sara Hadad-Dembs | Cross Trail South, Indian River, Thimbleberry/Heart Lake, Herring Cove/Beaver Lake, |
| Cinesea Voyagez LLC (DBA Sitka Wonders) | Ben Hamilton | Cross Trail North, Gavan Hill Access, Indian River, Thimbleberry/Heart Lake, Herring Cove Beach, |
| Elysium Expeditions | Dustin Hack | Medvijie Lake Trail |
| High Output Tours, LLC | Bethany Lowrance | Cross Trail North, Cross Trail South, Indian River, Thimbleberry/Heart Lake, Herring Cove/Beaver Lake, Blue Lake Road, Green Lake Road |
| Sitka Tundra Tours | Ruger Parker | Cross Trail North, Cross Trail South, Indian River, Thimbleberry/Heart Lake, Herring Cove/Beaver Lake, Blue Lake Road |
| Sitka Walking Tours LLC | Andrew Hinton | Cross Trail South, Gavan Hill Access, Indian River, Thimbleberry/Heart Lake, Herring Cove/Beaver Lake, Blue Lake Road |
| Talon Charters, inc | Philip Younger | Cross Trail North, Cross Trail South, Gavan Hill Access, Indian River, Thimbleberry/Heart Lake, Herring Cove/Heart Lake, Herring Cove Beach |
| Tidecrest Adventures, LLC | Olga Thomas | Gavan Hill Access, Indian River Trail, Thimbleberry/Heart Lake Trail, Herring Cove/Beaver Lake Trail |
| Tongass Treks | Alaina Brown | Cross Trail North, Cross Trail South, Gavan Hill Access, Indian River, Thimbleberry/Heart Lake, Herring Cove/Beaver Lake, Blue Lake Road |
| Tribal Tours | Jackie Ojala | Seawalk, Downtown Sidewalks |
| Water Access | Applicant Name | Area(s) Requested |
| High Output Tours, LLC | Bethany Lowrance | Eagle Beach |
| Sitka Sunshine Kayaks | Patrick Swanson | Herring Cove Beach, Blue Lake, Green Lake, Eagle Beach, Sitka Sound Islands |
| Sitka Wild Coast Kayaks | michael graney | Sitka Sound Islands, Caligan Island |
| Staniel Cay | Ettienne Van Rhyn | Sitka Sound Islands |
2026 Commercial Recreational Land Use Plan
Applications will be accepted from November 19, 2025 – January 4, 2026. Applications received after the open period will be considered after final determinations are issued for the 2026 season and will be presented to the City of Sitka Parks and Recreation Committee for public comment when time is available on the agenda.
Permit Fees will be invoiced after the January 4, 2026 application closure.
Documents related to the 2026 Commercial Recreational Land Use Permit Applications
Application and public review period dates as follows:
2025 Commercial Recreational Land Use Forms
2025 Reconciliation Reports and End of Year Reporting
To register for a program, request a facility rental or sign-up for a membership, please go to http://recreation.cityofsitka.com and click on the Create New Account link to open your account. Be sure to add all the members of your household (including children) and your cell number with the carrier so we can text you with any last minute changes. Your new household account will provide you with registration history, financial history, and much more. We look forward to enjoying this enhanced registration experience with you.
Information on City of Sitka facilities calendars and reservations requests can be found HERE
Contact Parks and Recreation at 907.747.4031 or recreation@cityofsitka.org for more information on the following topics:
CBS Athletic Field Forms
Athletic Fields Maps
Tree and Landscape Committee & Tree Planting Information
