Haines Borough: Nature, Tlingit Heritage, and Hiking Trails

More than 3,000 eagles gather at Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve between mid-October and January. This seasonal natural spectacle is a notable reference point for planning a trip to Haines Borough. The seasons also set the pace at Chilkoot Lake: at Chilkoot Lake State Recreation Site, the salmon run comprises four runs from mid-June to mid-October. Because salmon spawn in the river and at this end of the lake, the area is also known as “Bear Highway.” In the Haines area, bear-watching opportunities are available in mid- to late summer.

Nature, Water, and Trails

Visitors interested in taking in a variety of landscapes will find several named viewpoints. The Chilkat State Park contact and information center offers views of Chilkat Inlet, as well as Rainbow Glacier and Davidson Glacier. At Portage Cove State Recreation Site, views look out over Chilkoot Inlet and the surrounding mountains. The names of the bodies of water and glaciers help distinguish these natural features from one another.

The trails also offer different experiences. Battery Point Trail is an easy, 1.2-mile trail through the rainforest to a rocky beach. The 6.8-mile Ayiklutu Trail passes through rainforests and along beaches on Chilkat Inlet. The stated distances make it easy to compare the two routes, while their landscape descriptions convey each trail’s character.

For summit destinations, elevation figures are another useful reference point: Mount Riley Trail leads to a 1,760-foot summit and has three trailheads. Mount Ripinsky Trail leads to the 3,920-foot North Peak and offers views of Lynn Canal.

The Haines area also offers guided tours on land, on the water, and in the air. Operators and availability can change, so check which tours are offered during your travel dates before your trip.

Tlingit Heritage, History, and Local Events

Haines Sheldon Museum explores Tlingit heritage and the development of Jilkáat Aani, a Tlingit stronghold, into a multiethnic community. The collection includes more than 4,000 artifacts, with Chilkat Blankets and the Eldred Rock Lighthouse lens among the examples cited. Cultural development and specific objects from the collection come together to help you plan your museum visit around a theme.

Fort William H. Seward is a National Historic Landmark associated with the U.S. military presence during border disputes with Canada. It was designated on June 2, 1978. The Hammer Museum offers a visit with practical timing considerations: it welcomes visitors daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from mid-May to mid-September, and is also open for cruise ships in the evening. Check opening hours before your trip.

The 42-acre Southeast Alaska State Fairgrounds is used year-round for community recreation. The Southeast Alaska State Fair lasts four days and takes place in late July; events include the Haines Fishermen’s Free Salmon BBQ. The Haines Farmers Market offers locally grown or made produce, food, art, and crafts. The market and the fair thus offer different experiences: local produce and crafts on the one hand, and a concentrated festival featuring a named BBQ on the other.

Getting There and When to Visit

Haines is accessible by road, air, and water. Roads connect Haines to Canada and the Alaska Highway. For cruise ship arrivals, Port Chilkoot Cruise Ship Dock is a useful landmark: it is directly in front of Fort William H. Seward and less than half a mile from downtown Haines.

The seasonal periods mentioned fall at different times: eagles gather from mid-October to January, the Chilkoot Lake salmon runs extend from mid-June to mid-October, and bear-watching opportunities in the Haines area are available in mid- to late summer. The fair takes place in late July, while the Hammer Museum’s stated daily opening hours run from mid-May to mid-September.

Explore more destinations: Haines, Petersburg Census Area, Bristol Bay, Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Denali, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Aleutian Islands.

For the overview of the wider region: Alaska.