Fortress of the Bear
Non-profit rescue for orphaned brown and black bears, housed in old pulp-mill tanks east of town.
By Greg Peters, editor · Updated October 2026
Non-profit rescue for orphaned brown and black bears, housed in old pulp-mill tanks east of town.
Read more about its history
- The Sitka pulp mill Wikipedia
Highlights
- Eight bears in three enclosures (own site)
- Founded in 2003 by Les and Evy Kinnear
- Built in clarifier tanks left by the pulp mill
Facts checked October 19, 2026 with fortressofthebear.org, visitsitka.org, en.wikipedia.org. Hours and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Hours and tickets →More in Wildlife & Sea Life
Sitka Sound Science Center
Hands-on marine science center in a historic mill building, with touch tanks, an aquarium and a working salmon hatchery.
Alaska Raptor Center
Hospital and rehabilitation center for injured birds of prey, with birds on view on a wooded campus beside the Indian River.
Round out your day
Sitka Pel'Meni
Small Lincoln Street spot for Russian-style pel'meni dumplings that keeps late hours.
Beak Restaurant
Walk-in restaurant at the foot of Lincoln Street that runs without gratuities; any tips left are passed on to charity.
Pioneer Bar
Katlian Street bar whose walls are covered with thousands of framed photos of local fishing boats.