Haines Borough – Eagles, Museums and Rainforest Trails

Haines Borough combines impressive wildlife viewing with museums, historic sites and hiking trails through rainforest landscapes. Particularly distinctive is the contrast between short excursions and longer nature experiences: you can observe eagles and salmon, learn about the region’s history or choose a trail to a summit or a rocky beach. As a starting point for further orientation, Haines is recommended.

Eagles, Salmon and Views

More than 3,000 eagles gather in the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve between mid-October and January. The Chilkat State Park contact and information center offers views of Chilkat Inlet, Rainbow Glacier and Davidson Glacier. The American Bald Eagle Foundation also focuses on birdlife: there, you can plan visits to the aviary and museum exhibits. The facility houses live birds of prey and more than 200 museum specimens.

Another natural highlight is Chilkoot Lake. The lake is a spawning area for all five species of Pacific salmon. At Chilkoot Lake State Recreation Site, four salmon runs are recorded from mid-June to mid-October. Because of the spawning salmon in the river and at this end of the lake, the area is also known as “Bear Road.” The Haines area also offers opportunities for bear viewing in mid- to late summer.

Culture, History and Local Traditions

The Haines Sheldon Museum presents Tlingit heritage and the development of Jilkáat Aani into a multiethnic community. The collection contains more than 4,000 artifacts, including Chilkat Blankets and the lighthouse lens from Eldred Rock. Fort William H. Seward is a National Historic Landmark. The site is associated with the U.S. military presence during border disputes with Canada; it was designated a National Historic Landmark on June 2, 1978.

The Hammer Museum is also interesting for seasonal planning. It welcomes visitors daily from mid-May to mid-September between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and is additionally open for evening cruise ships. The Southeast Alaska State Fairgrounds is a 42-acre, year-round center for community recreation in Haines. The four-day Southeast Alaska State Fair takes place there in late July. The Haines Farmers Market offers locally grown or produced fruit and vegetables, food, art and crafts. The fair also includes the Haines Fishermen’s Free Salmon BBQ.

Hiking Trails for Different Day Plans

The Battery Point Trail is an easy, 1.2-mile rainforest trail leading to a rocky beach. The Mount Riley Trail leads to a 1,760-foot summit and has three trailheads. For a longer hike, the 6.8-mile Ayiklutu Trail is a good choice; it passes through rainforests and along beaches on Chilkat Inlet. The Mount Ripinsky Trail leads to a 3,920-foot northern summit and offers views of Lynn Canal.

These varied trail profiles make it easier to put together a diverse stay: a short coastal trail can be combined with a museum day, while summit trails or the Ayiklutu Trail allow more time for in-depth nature exploration. A holiday apartment or holiday home in Haines Borough can therefore be chosen to match your desired balance of culture, wildlife viewing and physical activity, without every day of the trip having to focus on the same theme.

Getting There and Further Orientation

Haines is accessible by land, air and water. Roads connect the town with Canada and the Alaska Highway. Haines also offers guided tours on land, on the water and in the air. The Port Chilkoot Cruise Ship Dock is located directly in front of Fort William H. Seward and less than half a mile from downtown Haines. For further regional orientation, you can also look at Kenai Peninsula, Valdez-Cordova Census Area, Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Bristol Bay, Kodiak Island Borough, North Slope Borough and Nome Census Area.

For the broader travel overview: Alaska.