Haines, Alaska

A canoe slipped into the mouth of the Chilkat Inlet in November 1879, carrying Presbyterian missionary S. Hall Young and his friend, John Muir. Young told the Chilkat Indians that he wanted to build a Christian town. He chose space between two waterways, the Chilkat River and the Lynn Canal, and the town of Haines was born.

During the 1900s, a permanent army post was built and named Fort William H. Seward. The post was abandoned in 1946 and sold to a group of veterans who re-established it as Port Chilkoot. In 1970, the area became part of the City of Haines and when the fort became a national historic site in 1972, the name was changed back to Fort William H. Seward.

Haines is the home of the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, where as many as 4,000 bald eagles gather each fall to feast on spawning salmon along the Chilkat River. Naturalists and photographers come from all over the world to witness one of the most unusual and impressive sights in nature's kingdom. As many as 80 have been seen perched in a single tree and more than a hundred may be captured within the frame of a single photograph.

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Points of Interest

  • Fort William H. Seward
  • Chilkoot Lake
  • Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve
  • Outdoor Adventures
  • American Bald Eagle Foundation
  • Hammer Museum
  • Klukwan
  • Kroschel Wildlife Center

More about Haines, Alaska Points of Interest

  • Fort William H. Seward

    Also known as Chilkoot Barracks, the fort was the first permanent U.S. Army outpost in Alaska, established during the gold rush era.

  • Chilkoot Lake

    Chilkoot Lake is located at the foot of the Takshanuk Mountains to the west and the Ferebee Glacier and mountains to the east. Considered a choice location for spotting brown bears feeding on spawning salmon.

  • Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve

    The 48,000-acre preserve is the year-round home to between 200 and 400 eagles and more than 80 eagle nests. Even during the summer, it's one of the best places to see an eagle in southeast Alaska.

  • Outdoor Adventures

    Enjoy what is truly an outdoorsman's paradise, with activities you won't find anywhere else. Go for a ride on an ATV or try a jet boat excursion, biking, nature watching, kayaking, wildlife viewing and more.

  • American Bald Eagle Foundation

    A must-see for visitors and locals alike - this wildlife display and education center is dedicated to the protection and preservation of bald eagle habitat through educational research.

  • Hammer Museum

    The world's only museum dedicated to hammers provides a view of the past through the use of man's first tool. You will find over 1,600 hammers on display, ranging from Roman times to the present.

  • Klukwan

    The only remaining of five Chilkat villages in the area before 1900 provides an authentic Native Alaskan experience of traditional food, dances and regalia on the banks of the Chilkat River.

  • Kroschel Wildlife Center

    Steve Kroschel's unique interactive wildlife center provides a home for orphaned and rescued wild animals and allows you learn their habits and have the opportunity to touch many of them.

27 EXCURSIONS

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Haines Discovery Walking Tour

1.25 hours | Haines | H N S - 3 8 0
  • Fort William H. Seward
  • Hammer Museum

The small, picturesque town of Haines is ideal for a walking tour. Stretch your legs while you learn about the history and present-day lifestyle of the residents of this charming Alaskan town.

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Moderate Activity

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$49.95

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Haines Offbeat Attractions: Hammer Museum & Art Studio

2.25 hours | Haines | H N S - 3 2 0
  • Fort William H. Seward
  • Hammer Museum

Haines was recently chosen by Outside Magazine as one of America's top ten locations to live and play. Get an insider's look at what makes this town special as you travel to unusual and out-of-the-way attractions, such as the Hammer Museum and Extreme Dreams Art Studio.

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Easy Activity

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$69.95

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Alaska Raptors & Bald Eagle Foundation (Wheelchair Accessible)

2 hours | Haines | H N S - 3 0 1
  • Fort William H. Seward
  • American Bald Eagle Foundation

Behold the majesty of a raptor in flight with a visit to the American Bald Eagle Foundation. Discover how they're trained, how they eat and how they can swoop in at speeds up to 200-miles-per-hour. Then, watch an eagle enjoy a hearty lunch while learning about America's national symbol.

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Wheelchair Accessible, Easy Activity

From

$74.95

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Alaska Raptors & Bald Eagle Foundation

2 hours | Haines | H N S - 3 0 0
  • Fort William H. Seward
  • American Bald Eagle Foundation

Behold the majesty of a raptor in flight with a visit to the American Bald Eagle Foundation. Discover how they're trained, how they eat and how they can swoop in at speeds up to 200-miles-per-hour. Then, watch an eagle enjoy a hearty lunch while learning about America's national symbol.

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Easy Activity

From

$74.95

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Alaska Nature & Wildlife Expedition

3.25 hours | Haines | H N S - 4 2 0
  • Fort William H. Seward
  • Chilkoot Lake
  • Outdoor Adventures

Renowned naturalists, magnificent wildlife and an exploration of six ecosystems - ocean, estuary, river, lake, muskeg and rainforest - await in this area aptly nicknamed the "Valley of the Eagles."

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Easy Activity

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$89.95

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Taste of Haines: Spirits & Tapas

1.75 hours | Haines | H N S - 3 1 0
  • Fort William H. Seward

Fun is on tap with a visit to The Port Chilkoot Distillery, a local beverage maker located in historic Fort Seward. Learn its history, visit the barrel room, and take a private tour of the facility followed by different tastings of their fine, crafted spirits and a selection of tasty locally inspired tapas.

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Easy Activity, Includes snack

From

$99.95

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Haines Adventure Hike

3.5 hours | Haines | H N S - 4 7 0
  • Fort William H. Seward
  • Outdoor Adventures

Lace up your boots and get ready for a trek along Battery Point Hiking Trail, which follows the shoreline and promises breathtaking mountain and ocean views. Led by a naturalist guide, you're sure to learn about the area's flora and fauna as you make your way to a picnic on the beach.

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Moderate Activity, Includes snack

From

$99.95

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Easy Haines: Scenic Byway & Summit

5 hours | Haines | H N S - 1 1 0
  • Fort William H. Seward
  • Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve

Grab your passport and get ready to travel the Haines Highway to the alpine tundra area of Haines Summit in Yukon, Canada. Along the way, enjoy a drive through Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, dramatic scenery, stop for photos, and enjoy tales of local history and culture.

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Easy Activity, Includes meal

From

$99.95

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Easy Haines: Scenic Byway & Summit (Wheelchair Accessible)

5 hours | Haines | H N S - 1 1 1
  • Fort William H. Seward
  • Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve

Grab your passport and get ready to travel the Haines Highway to the alpine tundra area of Haines Summit in Yukon, Canada. Along the way, enjoy a drive through Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, dramatic scenery, stop for photos, and enjoy tales of local history and culture.

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Wheelchair Accessible, Easy Activity, Includes meal

From

$99.95

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Glacial Fjord Bicycle Tour

3 hours | Haines | H N S - 4 5 0
  • Fort William H. Seward
  • Chilkoot Lake
  • Outdoor Adventures

Set off on a leisurely bike ride along the ocean inlet to Chilkoot Lake. Photo opportunities abound on this breathtaking getaway.

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Moderate Activity

From

$109.95

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Best of Haines Highlights

3.5 hours | Haines | H N S - 1 0 0
  • Fort William H. Seward
  • American Bald Eagle Foundation

Discover a picturesque town that few have the chance to experience. Haines promises pristine beauty surrounded by abundant wildlife - from the Chilkat River to the Rainbow Glacier. You'll tour the American Bald Eagle Foundation and the Haines Packing Company and snack on locally caught salmon.

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Easy Activity, Includes snack

From

$109.95

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Native Culture Experience

2.75 hours | Haines | H N S - 1 0 5
  • Fort William H. Seward
  • Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve
  • Klukwan

Experience the native culture of the Tlingit people on this unique visit to Klukwan, the mother village of the Tlingit Nation. Enjoy a guided walk as you learn the village's history and the villager's traditions. Visit the clan house, hear stories, watch a rousing performance, and witness highly prized Native art.

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Shopping Opportunities, Easy Activity, Includes snack

From

$119.95

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Chilkoot Lake Kayak Experience

4 hours | Haines | H N S - 7 7 5
  • Fort William H. Seward
  • Chilkoot Lake
  • Outdoor Adventures

Join professional sea kayak guides on a tour of Chilkoot Lake, home to Pacific salmon, bald eagles, waterfowl and brown bears.

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Strenuous Activity, Includes meal

From

$129.95

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Alaska Wildlife Canoe Safari

4 hours | Haines | H N S - 7 6 5
  • Fort William H. Seward
  • Chilkoot Lake
  • Outdoor Adventures

Glide along the calm waters of the Chilkoot Lake in a Voyageur canoe on a wilderness adventure that offers incredible wildlife viewing in a lush setting. An expert naturalist accompanies your 1.5-hour float. Explore secret coves, salmon-spawning streams and thundering waterfalls. Enjoy a picnic-style lunch at a private beach.

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Moderate Activity, Includes meal

From

$149.95

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Nature & Wildlife Photography Experience

3 hours | Haines | H N S - 3 3 0
  • Fort William H. Seward
  • Chilkoot Lake
  • Outdoor Adventures

Haines is known for its wildlife and stunning natural surroundings. This small group tour is for those that have a "smart phone" and want to learn how to take better pictures as well as for serious photographers.

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Easy Activity

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$149.95

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Rock Climbing Adventure

3.75 hours | Haines | H N S - 4 9 0
  • Outdoor Adventures

Reach new heights on the ultimate rock climbing adventure! Join professional Alaska mountain guides on the rocky crags of the Chilkat Valley and scale three to four different routes with varying difficulty ratings. Refresh with hot cocoa and a snack while taking in the breathtaking views.

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Strenuous Activity, Includes snack

From

$149.95

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Kroschel Wildlife Refuge

3.5 hours | Haines | H N S - 3 7 0
  • Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve
  • Outdoor Adventures
  • Kroschel Wildlife Center

Embark on a close encounter of the wild kind as you visit Kroschel Wildlife Center. This is a guaranteed wildlife tour offering the chance to see and photograph Alaska animals such as a Kodiak bear, wolves and wolverines.

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Moderate Activity

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$159.95

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Eagle Preserve Rafting & Wildlife Quest

4 hours | Haines | H N S - 7 4 5
  • Fort William H. Seward
  • Klukwan
  • Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve
  • Outdoor Adventures

Float silently down the river as you witness the wildlife and breathtaking beauty of the renowned Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve.

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Moderate Activity, Includes meal

From

$159.95

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Haines Wilderness River Adventure

3.25 hours | Haines | H N S - 7 0 0
  • Fort William H. Seward
  • Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve
  • Outdoor Adventures

A motorized boat tour deep into the heart of the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve offers a true wilderness experience. Eagles, moose and bear are often sighted for a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity. The scenery alone is worth the trip for your very own Alaska wilderness experience.

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Easy Activity

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$159.95

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Haines Bike, Hike & Brew

4 hours | Haines | H N S - 4 5 5
  • Outdoor Adventures

Get active in Haines' great frontier beginning with a bike ride along a scenic coastal path to the Battery Point Trailhead. Here, you'll hike through a beautiful rainforest that ends at a secluded beach. Back on the bike, you'll pedal to the Haines Brewing Company to sample locally brewed beers.

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Strenuous Activity

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$159.95

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Wilderness UTV Adventure

3.75 hours | Haines | H N S - 5 1 5
  • Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve
  • Outdoor Adventures

Rev your engines on an exciting Razor-style UTV adventure through the remote Alaska wilderness and along trails with scenic mountain and river views. Bring a camera, as you'll stop at several viewpoints overlooking the Klehini, Tsirku, and Chilkat River Valleys. Savor a picnic lunch amidst this stunning scenery.

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Moderate Activity, Includes meal

From

$169.95

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Whales & Lighthouse Tales

2.5 hours | Haines | H N S - 6 1 0

Get ready for a whale of an excursion! Witness Mother Nature's majesties as you cruise the waters of the northern Inside Passage. Humpbacks, sea lions, ice fields and hanging glaciers plus the man-made wonder of Eldred Rock Lighthouse are just a few of the breathtaking beauties you'll behold.

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Easy Activity, Includes snack

From

$179.95

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Ultimate Eagle Preserve Rafting & Native Cultural Experience

5 hours | Haines | H N S - 7 5 0
  • Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve
  • Outdoor Adventures
  • Klukwan

Soak up history, culture, wildlife and awe-inspiring scenery on a rafting adventure through Chilkat Bald Preserve. After a leisurely picnic on the shores of the Chilkat River you'll float down to the village of Klukwan for a tour of its Heritage Center followed by Native folkloric drumming and storytelling.

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Moderate Activity, Includes meal

From

$229.95

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Glacier Point Wilderness Safari

5 hours | Haines | H N S - 7 6 0
  • Outdoor Adventures

This outstanding wilderness expedition to the spectacular Davidson Glacier leads you through fjords, rainforests, colorful wildflowers and towering mountains.

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Moderate Activity, Includes meal

From

$289.95

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Skagway's White Pass Scenic Railway

7 hours | Haines | H N S - 2 0 0

Take an unforgettable journey aboard "The Scenic Railway of the World" to the White Pass Summit in Skagway. Carved through some of the North's most rugged terrain in 1898, this engineering marvel climbs nearly 3,000 feet, offering spectacular views, breathtaking scenery and a passenger agent to narrate the experience. All Aboard!

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Easy Activity, Includes meal

From

$299.95

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Glacier Point ATV Exploration

5 hours | Haines | H N S - 5 2 0
  • Outdoor Adventures

Blaze a trail through the Alaska wilderness on an exhilarating ATV adventure! The fun begins with a scenic cruise down the Lynn Canal to the ATV base camp. Here, you'll be outfitted and ready to hit the road. A picnic lunch adds to the day's fun.

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Moderate Activity, Includes meal

From

$329.95

Average Guest Rating