The Starrigavan Recreation Area includes a dynamic estuary and features a wide range of recreation facilities including camping and picnic sites, an artesian well, the Estuary Life Trail, Forest and Muskeg Trail, and the Mosquito Cove Trail. A Forest Service public-use cabin is also located in the campground and is available for nightly rental. The recreation area provides the opportunity to travel along the estuary, muskeg, spruce-hemlock forest, and marine habitats in a relatively small amount of time and with well-developed and ADA-accessible facilities.

Highlighting the Starrigavan Recreation Area is the estuary bird viewing shelter and the Estuary Life Trail. The bird viewing shelter is located at the edge of the forest overlooking the estuary. The shelter is also near the start of the quarter-mile-long Estuary Life Trail, a boardwalk trail running along the edge of and through the estuary.

Over 120 bird species have been observed at this site and the area provides great birding during all seasons. Species you are likely to see include Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Common Merganser, Belted Kingfisher, Canvasback, Mallard, Bufflehead, and a variety of gulls and other seabirds, waterfowl, waterbirds, and passerines.

Directions:

Travel 7.5 miles north on Halibut Point road to the Starrigavan Estuary Recreation Area, located just past the ferry terminal. This site can also be walked to from the ferry terminal and there is also a public bus that runs regularly to the ferry terminal from town.

Birding Resources:

• eBird Hotspot: Starrigavan Estuary

Bird Species Checklist:

• Sitkat checklist

Other Resources:

• Mosquito Cove Trail
• Forest and Muskeg Trail
• Starrigavan Trail
• US Forest Service:  Starrigavan Recreation Area
• Bird Viewing Shelter
• Picnic Site
• Campground
• Starrigavan Cabin
• Alaska Department of Fish and Game: Starrigavan wildlife viewing
• Alaska Department of Natural Resources: Old Sitka State Historical Park