Beautiful Bald Eagle Preserve Float Trip on the Chilkat River in Haines, Alaska

Haines is famous for a few things, and one of them is its bald eagle population. A great way to experience the Bald Eagle Preserve and have a mild adventure on the Chilkat River is doing a rafting float trip with Alaska Mountain Guides. Whether you’re staying in Haines or you’re a cruise passenger making port in Skagway, you can plan for this beautiful float trip through the Bald Eagle Preserve all season long, even into autumn.

Have you wanted to do a rafting trip in Alaska but you’re nervous about Class IV or V rapids? Don’t worry, that is NOT this trip. Rafting the Chilkat River is good for any age and a beautiful way to see Haines. If you have any questions about visiting Haines or planning a float trip in the Bald Eagle Preserve, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help others plan an awesome visit to Alaska!

Highlights of Rafting the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve

If you haven’t been on a scenic float in Alaska, this is THE one to do. The Chilkat River is very broad and beautiful, surrounded by mountains with low hanging clouds and waterfalls. Add to that countless bald eagles all through the year (this is the bald eagle preserve) and you have one of the prettiest places to do a river float. While the Chilkat River float trip does take place on a raft like you may see on a whitewater rafting trip, this is a very mellow sort of river experience. So much water flows down from the glaciers and streams that the Chilkat has become very smooth, making its way out to the fjord and leveling much of the riverbed in its path. This makes for a gentle ride for miles, and when it looks like there’s the potential for rough water the guides are great at navigating away from it.

I think the reason most people (us included) are excited about rafting the Chilkat River on a scenic float trip is for the bald eagles and potential for more Alaska wildlife. Really, within about ten minutes on the water we stopped counting how many we had seen. While you can see bald eagles all over the Inside Passage and everywhere you look in the town of Haines, the setting of the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is exceptionally beautiful and is ideal for enjoying these beautiful birds.

The Chilkat River has all five types of salmon that can run, including a very late season run that attracts thousands of bald eagles. All the salmon mean that there is plenty of food and it’s a safe place for eagles to live, feed and raise young. They’re very visible as you float down the river on you raft, and sometimes they can be very close. I think this is one of the best ways to really understand the enormity of Southeast Alaska’s bald eagle population.

Tips for a Great Scenic Float in the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve

A lot of people begin their love of rafting with a scenic float. Alaska Mountain Guides leads this experience on the Chilkat River with that in mind: people want to experience the river and feel safe as they take in the scenery and wildlife. Having said that, if you’re nervous about rafting, even a scenic float like this, you need to tell your guide so they are aware and can ensure you enjoy your trip. Any guide worth their salt will work to ensure you feel good about the experience as it goes.

Another thing to keep in mind when you’re doing the scenic float trip on the Chilkat River is that wildlife is just that: wild. While it’s basically a guarantee that you’re going to see countless bald eagles, it still isn’t actually a guarantee. And while there are thousands of salmon in the Chilkat River at any given time, it’s not a guarantee that there will be a bear onshore fishing for them. And although there are areas full of willows and gentle waters, seeing a moose on the river is an absolute treat and not a guarantee. As long as you can keep these things in mind you’ll have solid expectations and anything beyond that will be a complete joy to see.

Speaking of seeing wildlife, when you’re rafting on the Chilkat River, or any river for that matter, your guide is there to steer the float trip and keep you safe first and foremost. They are usually amazing at finding the wildlife along the river, but it’s good to have your own eyes at the ready to help spot creatures on the shore and in the trees. Baby bears and porcupines are often seen in trees in Alaska, and along the Chilkat River it’s no different. Keep a weathered eye out and tell your guide if you spot anything interesting as you go.

Being Prepared for Rafting through the Bald Eagle Preserve

Thankfully when you’re rafting on the Chilkat River with Alaska Mountain Guides they provide the raft, the manpower and the rubber boots. Yes, you do need to swap out your shoes for galoshes as entering and exiting the raft you need to step into a little bit of water. Also, sometimes there is a bit of water in the raft, so this just keeps your feet dry.

Regarding how to dress for a scenic float trip, match the weather you’re seeing and then bring an additional layer or protection against the rain if you’re feeling just right. It’s always a little colder on the river and when you’re rafting the Chilkat it is 100% in the open, unsheltered so any rain will come down on you. Haines does get a lot of rain, but then it also just gets a lot of cloud cover. It may look like you’re going to get wet when you’re on your trip, but it may just be gray out.

I think it’s great to have a good camera when you’re doing a scenic float, especially through the Bald Eagle Preserve. There are so many mature and juvenile bald eagles along the Chilkat River that you’ll love getting great photos. And then any other wildlife or scenery you are enjoying makes for great pics too. I sometimes tell myself that my phone takes just as good of pictures as my DSLR camera, but in reality you just don’t capture the depths of light and natural color the same way. Since the scenic float from Haines is so mellow, this is a great river trip to bring a good camera (and maybe a dry bag too).

A light lunch is also provided on this rafting trip. If you have any dietary needs, you should tell Alaska Mountain Guides in advance so they can provide something appropriate for you. It’s not a big lunch, but it’s good. For us, we had chicken Caesar wraps with chips and cookies, served with coffee, tea or hot cocoa.

Parking for Alaska Mountain Guides Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve Raft Trip

The Alaska Mountain Guides scenic float trip on the Chilkat River through the Bald Eagle Preserve is available to both independent travelers and to cruise guests making port in either Haines or Skagway. If you’re porting in Skagway, there is a fast ferry that brings cruise guests over to Haines and the Alaska Mountain Guides crew will meet you at the dock with a sign. It’s so easy.

If you’re traveling on your own and want to do the rafting from Haines, there is plenty of parking across the street from the Haines Skagway Fast Ferry dock where the boat comes in with cruise passengers from Skagway. Arrive early and get a coffee at Deshu, the local tribally owned cafe on the dock, and then after your trip you can enjoy lunch here too (great fish and chips).

More Things to do in Haines

I feel like Haines is kind of this sort of secret spot on the Inside Passage. Most of the cruise ships go to Skagway or Icy Strait Point and completely miss Haines, which makes it wonderful and quiet. I love this town because there is lots to do and it’s beautiful. There are a few museums, you’ve got two state parks, lots of options for fishing, boat charters, LOTS of Chilkat Tlingit totem poles, art and more. Haines is the version of Alaska that I wish still existed all through the Inside Passage and up into South Central AK.

When you’re planning your visit to Haines and your activities, I think spending 3-4 nights is perfect. This gives you plenty of time to hike and enjoy the wildlife and rivers, but then also you can have time in town and up along the Haines Highway. Everyone has a different style of travel and activities they look for, and I think that’s what makes Haines such a good destination to visit.

Here are some of our recommendations for things to do in Haines: