Haines Travel Guide

City Southeast Alaska town known for eagles and fjords

Haines faces the Chilkat River and Lynn Canal, known for Bald Eagle concentrations, Tlingit totem displays, salmon fisheries and ferry access; anglers, photographers and cultural visitors come in shoulder seasons.

Costs
$200-300 per day (expensive)
Expect higher costs for lodging, food and guided wilderness trips.
Safety
Generally safe; wildlife/weather risks
Town is safe; wildlife and weather are the main hazards for visitors.
Best Time
May-September
Long daylight, best wildlife viewing and fishing; summer is prime.
In This Guide
Local Time
2:15 PM
GMT-8
Weather
Partly Cloudy 37°F
Partly Cloudy
Population
1,713
Infrastructure & Convenience
Limited road access, small airport and ferries; downtown is compact and walkable.
Popularity
Niche destination for wildlife watchers, anglers, and adventurous travelers; quieter than major cruise ports.
Known For
Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, salmon fishing, fjords, Tlingit culture, glaciers, heli/flightseeing, wildlife, remote wilderness, kayaking, small museums
The Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve near Haines hosts the world's largest seasonal congregation of bald eagles.

Why Visit Haines? #

Set where mountain rivers meet the ocean, Haines is a magnet for wildlife lovers and outdoor adventurers. The Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve and the annual Bald Eagle Festival offer unparalleled eagle-viewing and nature photography. Fort Seward’s historic buildings and local Tlingit cultural events give insight into regional history and living traditions. Expect salmon fishing, glacier-side excursions and a quiet, frontier atmosphere that draws travelers seeking remote Alaskan experiences.

Best Things to Do in Haines

All Attractions ›
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
1
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
Historical park interpreting Klondike Gold Rush era
Park

Haines Bucket List

Don't Miss
  • American Bald Eagle Foundation - Experience bald eagle displays and live raptor presentations at the foundation's center.
  • Fort Seward - Explore Fort Seward historic buildings and guided tours recounting military history.
  • Downtown Haines Harbor - Wander the waterfront for local galleries, seafood eateries, and views of Chilkoot Inlet.
Hidden Gems
  • Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve - Drive the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve area for seasonal eagle concentrations and riverside views.
  • Hammer Museum - Visit the Hammer Museum, a quirky collection highlighting tools and local history.
  • Sheldon Museum - Browse the Sheldon Museum's exhibits on Tlingit culture and regional pioneer life.
Day Trips
  • Skagway (by ferry) - Take the ferry to Skagway for gold rush sights, historic streets, and museums.
  • Glacier Bay day cruise - Join a day cruise to Glacier Bay for tidewater glaciers, whales, and marine wildlife.

Best Time to Visit Haines #

Visit Haines in summer for long daylight, wildlife viewing and calmer weather; late May-August is the sweet spot. Winters are cold, wet and best for aurora chasers or hardcore adventurers.

Winter
December - February · -8 to 2°C (18 to 36°F)
Dark, snowy, and wet with strong winds - dramatic fjord scenery but many outdoor services reduced; not ideal for casual visitors.
Spring
March - May · 0 to 10°C (32 to 50°F)
Rapid thaw and migrating birds return; cool, damp days but fewer tourists - good for early-season wildlife and quieter trails.
Summer
June - August · 8 to 17°C (46 to 63°F)
Mild, long days with peak wildlife viewing, fishing, and hiking; tourist season fills lodgings but scenery and outdoor experiences shine.

Best Time to Visit Haines #

Climate

Haines's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental (Dry Summer) - Warm-Summer Continental (Dry Summer) climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -8°C to 19°C. Abundant rainfall (1267 mm/year), wettest in October.

Air Quality: AQI 19 Good
Best Time to Visit
JuneJulyAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
24°
Warmest Month
-31°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -2°C and lows of -8°C. Significant rainfall (131 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

29 Poor

Comfort

-5°
Feels Like Freezing
-5°C
Temperature
-8° – -2°
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

131 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
6.7h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -5°C. Significant rainfall (116 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

31 Poor

Comfort

-2°
Feels Like Freezing
-2°C
Temperature
-5° – 1°
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

116 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.0h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -3°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

0°
Feels Like Cold
0°C
Temperature
-3° – 4°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

85 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
11.6h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

5°
Feels Like Cold
5°C
Temperature
0° – 9°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

68 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
14.3h daylight

May

May is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

9°
Feels Like Cold
9°C
Temperature
5° – 14°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
16.8h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

68 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
8° – 17°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

39 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
18.2h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

68 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° – 19°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

44 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
17.5h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

64 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
9° – 18°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

70 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
15.3h daylight

September

September is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (141 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
6° – 14°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

141 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
12.6h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (231 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

34 Poor

Comfort

5°
Feels Like Cold
5°C
Temperature
2° – 8°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

231 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
10.0h daylight

November

November is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -4°C. Significant rainfall (153 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

25 Poor

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-4° – 2°
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

153 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.4h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -6°C. Significant rainfall (139 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

27 Poor

Comfort

-3°
Feels Like Freezing
-3°C
Temperature
-6° – 0°
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

139 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
5.9h daylight

How to Get to Haines

Haines is a small Southeast Alaska town best reached by regional air service to Haines Airport (HNS) or by ferry via the Alaska Marine Highway from Juneau and other coastal communities. Weather and seasonal schedules strongly affect connections, so plan and confirm sailings/flights in advance.

By Air

Haines Airport (HNS): Haines has a small regional airport with scheduled and charter flights connecting to Juneau and other Southeast Alaska communities; the airstrip is a short drive from downtown (5-10 minutes). Ground transfers are short-local taxis and shuttles run between the airport and town.

Juneau International Airport (JNU): Many visitors arrive in Juneau and continue to Haines by Alaska Marine Highway ferry or by floatplane/air taxi. Juneau→Haines ferry crossings vary by schedule (allow several hours including boarding) and floatplane flights are much shorter (roughly 20-40 minutes) but more weather-dependent.

By Train & Bus

Train: There is no rail service to Haines-Southeast Alaska is served by air and ferry rather than trains.

Bus / Ferry: The Alaska Marine Highway is the primary public surface option for getting to Haines from Juneau and other coastal towns; crossings run seasonally and take several hours depending on routing (check current schedules and fares on the Alaska Marine Highway website). Local shuttle/taxi services connect the ferry terminal to town.

How to Get Around Haines #

Haines is compact and easy to explore on foot within town limits, with many attractions clustered near the waterfront. For getting beyond the town center a rental car or taxi is recommended; services are limited and seasonal. The Alaska Marine Highway ferry and a small regional airport provide connections to other communities. Bikes and walking are common for short trips, but plan ahead for excursions and tours.

Where to Stay in Haines #

Budget
Town center / Harbor - $70-140/night
Haines has a handful of budget motels and guesthouses; options are modest but adequate for short stays and ferry/flight connections.
Mid-Range
Harbor / Downtown - $140-240/night
Mid-range inns and small hotels provide comfortable rooms and easy access to town activities like wildlife viewing, museums, and ferries.
Luxury
Harborfront & Surroundings - $220-450+/night
Luxury in Haines is mostly boutique lodges and private waterfront rentals offering privacy, wildlife viewing, and premium guided experiences.

Where to Eat in Haines #

Nightlife in Haines #

Evenings in Haines are relaxed. A handful of bars, cafés and seasonal venues host live music during the summer and cruise periods, but after-hours options are limited year-round. If you’re looking for late-night entertainment, larger towns or seasonal festivals are where activity increases.

Shopping in Haines #

Shopping is small and local: expect galleries, outfitters for fishing and outdoor gear, and shops selling Native Alaskan art. Many businesses operate seasonally and selection expands during the summer cruise season. There are no large commercial centers; most purchases are at independent shops in town.

Nearby Cities #

Skagway
26 km away
Juneau, Alaska
Juneau, Alaska
120 km away