Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve

To see the eagles, head to the roadside viewpoints along the Haines Highway, where you can view the eagles in the flats along the Chilkat River. At mile marker #19, there’s a pull-out with informational displays and a short paved trail along the river. Much of the preserve is inaccessible to visitors, but during the summer months, rafting and boat trips are a great way to see it. Tours leave from Haines and the Port Chilkoot pier.

• The preserve is a must-see for wildlife and nature lovers.

• View the eagles from the viewing platforms only; staying within this area helps protect the eagles' habitat.

• Scenic viewpoints and the paved Chilkat River trail are wheelchair and stroller accessible.

The Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is set along the Chilkat River near Haines, Alaska. The Haines Highway runs through the preserve, and several viewpoints are located between mile markers #18 and #21. Most visitors arrive in Haines by cruise ship or via ferry from Juneau or Skagway.

The best time to visit the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is during the fall migration, with the highest concentration of eagles visible from late fall through midwinter. The annual Alaska Bald Eagle Festival takes place each year in early November in Haines, and includes educational programs, photography workshops, music, and more.

Haines is a small town in the northern end of the Alaska Panhandle. Visitors are drawn to the area for its excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, sea kayaking adventures, fishing, and rich Native culture. Visit the Sheldon Museum and Cultural Center to explore the history of the Tlingit people, and stop by the Hammer Museum, the first museum in the world dedicated to hammers.