Top Haines Culture

Spend a day immersed in Alaska’s stunning nature during this kayak trip on Chilkoot Lake. Depart the town of Haines with your private guide and enjoy a leisurely few hours of kayaking on the uncrowded lake. While you paddle, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as salmon, bald eagles, and even brown bears.

Meet your knowledgeable guide for a drive to Chilkoot Lake State Park. This park has it all: a turquoise lake surrounded by snowy mountain peaks, a salmon-filled river flowing into the sea, and important Tlingit cultural sights. In May, June and July, the wildflowers are at their peak and eagles caring for their young in the nest. In late July, the river fills with migrating salmon, and harbor seals follow them up into the river where they go to spawn. As the number of salmon in the river increases, so does the chance of seeing bears along the river, with a good probability of bear sightings from early August through late September. As you drive through the park, your guide knows the best places to stop for scenery and the possibility of wildlife spotting. Your guide is equipped with a powerful spotting scope to bring the wildlife in close, and your guide will help interpret the behavior of the various wildlife and explain how the animals fit into the Chilkoot’s complex ecosystem.

Focus on Haines with this guided tour of the area, focusing on nature, photography, or both. This is a small group experience (max 4), so you’ll get lots of personal attention. Your guide can offer advice on how to get the best composition when framing your shots, and will also fill you in on the area’s rich cultural and natural history stories. This is about a half day tour that stops at several places along the way.

Discover a side of Alaskan nature that few visitors experience—and learn to capture high-quality wildlife photos on this small-group, half-day photography tour. Follow your guide to the scenic Chilkat Valley to spot bears, bald eagles, moose, and more. Bring your camera and get expert tips to capture the best shots.