HainesHaines at a Glance
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.
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
Park
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
Historical park interpreting Klondike Gold Rush era
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
Dark, snowy, and wet with strong winds - dramatic fjord scenery but many outdoor services reduced; not ideal for casual visitors.
Spring
Rapid thaw and migrating birds return; cool, damp days but fewer tourists - good for early-season wildlife and quieter trails.
Summer
Mild, long days with peak wildlife viewing, fishing, and hiking; tourist season fills lodgings but scenery and outdoor experiences shine.
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -8° - -2° | -11° | 131 mm | overcast | 94% | 4.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.7h |
| February | Poor | -5° - 1° | -8° | 116 mm | overcast | 92% | 5.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.0h |
| March | Poor | -3° - 4° | -4° | 85 mm | overcast | 89% | 4.6 m/s | 0.2 low | 11.6h |
| April | Acceptable | 0° - 9° | 1° | 68 mm | overcast | 88% | 4.0 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.3h |
| May | Acceptable | 5° - 14° | 7° | 50 mm | overcast | 87% | 3.8 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 16.8h |
| June | Good | 8° - 17° | 13° | 39 mm | overcast | 87% | 3.4 m/s | 1.2 high | 18.2h |
| July | Good | 10° - 19° | 14° | 44 mm | overcast | 87% | 3.2 m/s | 1.1 high | 17.5h |
| August | Good | 9° - 18° | 14° | 70 mm | overcast | 88% | 3.1 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 15.3h |
| September | Poor | 6° - 14° | 8° | 141 mm | overcast | 89% | 3.7 m/s | 0.4 low | 12.6h |
| October | Poor | 2° - 8° | 2° | 231 mm | overcast | 91% | 4.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 10.0h |
| November | Poor | -4° - 2° | -6° | 153 mm | overcast | 93% | 4.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.4h |
| December | Poor | -6° - 0° | -9° | 139 mm | overcast | 94% | 4.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 5.9h |
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.
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.
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 primarily accessed by small regional flights and the Alaska Marine Highway ferry; once there, short taxi rides and walking cover most needs. Because schedules change with season and weather, confirm bookings early and have flexible plans.
- Regional flights / floatplanes ($100-$300 one-way (varies widely)) - Floatplanes and small regional carriers connect Haines with Juneau and other Southeast towns; flights are quick (often 20-40 minutes) but subject to weather. Book early in summer; bring warm layers for short transfers and expect luggage limits on small aircraft.
- Alaska Marine Highway (ferry) (Varies by route and season) - The ferry is the surface alternative for passengers and vehicles on a fixed schedule-journey times and fares depend on routing and whether you carry a vehicle. Ferries are comfortable and scenic; check the Alaska Marine Highway Authority for up-to-date timetables and fares.
- Taxi / local shuttle ($5-$25) - Short taxi rides or hotel shuttles link the Haines airport and ferry terminal with town-fares are generally modest for the short distances involved. Useful when flights or ferries arrive outside of standard business hours.
- Car rental / self-drive (Varies (typically $60+/day)) - There are limited rental options in Haines; if you need a vehicle for extended regional trips, arrange pickup in a larger hub (Juneau or elsewhere) or reserve in advance. Roads in the immediate Haines area are straightforward but remote beyond town.
- Walking - Haines’ main attractions-shops, waterfront, museums-are compact and very walkable. Walking is the best way to take in the small-town character and shoreline views.
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.
Haines budget motels & B&Bs - Small, economical guesthouses.
Chilkat Lodge (basic rooms) - Simple lodge near town.
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.
Haines Lodge & B&B - Comfortable rooms with local hospitality.
Harborview Inn - Good location, pleasant water views.
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.
Private luxury rentals & lodges - High-end cabins and waterfront homes.
Boutique luxury lodge options - Upscale stays with personalized service.
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.