Chilkat State Park
🏆 Alaska’s Valley of the Eagles — Glaciers, Salmon, and the World’s Largest Bald Eagle Gathering — Updated for 2026 with eagle viewing seasons, camping info, trail conditions, and fishing tips
The eagle lands on a cottonwood branch, talons gripping bark, and you count — one, two, three… twelve eagles in a single tree. Across the Chilkat River, a dozen more line the gravel bars, watching for salmon. Behind them, Rainbow Glacier cascades down a mountain wall in a frozen river of blue ice. This is Chilkat State Park, seven miles south of Haines, Alaska — where up to 4,000 bald eagles gather every autumn for the largest concentration of eagles on Earth, and where glaciers, salmon, and Southeast Alaska’s wild magnificence are everyday scenery.
Perched on the shore of Chilkat Inlet at the northern edge of the Inside Passage, Chilkat State Park offers glacier views, world-class eagle watching, salmon fishing, coastal hiking, and a 35-site campground in one of Alaska’s most accessible yet genuinely wild locations. The nearby Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve protects 48,000 acres of the Chilkat River floodplain — the stage for what may be nature’s most spectacular raptor event.
What Makes Chilkat Extraordinary
4,000 Bald Eagles
The world’s largest gathering — Oct-Nov each year, drawn by late salmon runs on the Chilkat River.
Glacier Views
Rainbow and Davidson Glaciers visible from the park — dramatic blue ice cascading from the Chilkat Range.
Salmon Fishing
King salmon in June, sockeye, coho, and chum through summer. The Chilkat River is SE Alaska’s most productive salmon system.
Wildest of the Wild
Bears, mountain goats, moose, harbor seals, whales, and loons. This is Alaska at its most Alaskan.
Bald Eagle Viewing
The Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve protects 48,000 acres along the Chilkat River — the site of the world’s largest bald eagle gathering. While 200-400 eagles reside year-round, between October and November, up to 4,000 eagles descend on a 5-mile stretch of river to feed on late-spawning chum salmon.
🦅 Eagle Viewing Tips
• Peak season: October–November (late salmon runs draw peak numbers) • Best viewing: Miles 18-24 of the Haines Highway, Council Grounds pullout at Mile 19 • Amenities at Council Grounds: Pit toilets, informational displays, boardwalk, viewing scopes • Year-round residents: 200-400 eagles always present — impressive even outside peak season • Photography: Bring a long telephoto lens (400mm+). Eagles are visible but keep respectful distance
Trails
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏖️ Seduction Point Trail | 7 mi one-way | Easy-Moderate | Coastal trail with glacier views, tidal flats, and wildlife. Best in the park |
| 🏔️ Battery Point Trail | 2 mi one-way | Moderate | Coastal walk with beach access and harbor seal viewing |
| ⛰️ Mount Riley Trail | Challenging | Strenuous | Incredible panoramic views of glaciers, inlet, and mountains. Bear aware |
When to Visit: Seasonal Guide
| Season | Months | Weather | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🍂 Fall | Oct–Nov | 35-50°F | 🏆 4,000 bald eagles! Peak gathering. Salmon runs. Dramatic autumn light |
| ☀️ Summer | Jun–Aug | 55-70°F | 🏆 Longest days, salmon fishing, hiking, camping. Glacier views. Best weather |
| 🌸 Spring | Apr–May | 40-55°F | Early salmon, bird migration, uncrowded trails. Bears emerging |
| ❄️ Winter | Dec–Mar | 15-35°F | Eagle viewing continues. Aurora borealis. Snowshoeing. Very quiet |
Camping
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| ⛺ Sites | 35 sites — 31 drive-in, 4 walk-in |
| 🚿 Amenities | Water pumps, vault toilets. No hookups. No dump station |
| 📍 Setting | Mixed forest at edge of Chilkat Inlet. Glacier views from many sites |
| 🐻 Bears | Bear-aware camping required — store food properly, carry bear spray |
| 📅 Reservations | First-come, first-served. Electronic payment at station |
Budget Calculator
| Expense | Day Trip | Camping Weekend | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park Entry | $5/vehicle | $5/vehicle | Alaska state park day-use fee |
| Camping | — | $15-20/night | 35 primitive sites. No hookups |
| Fishing License | $30-$145 | $30-$145 | Non-resident: $30/day, $145/season |
| Rafting/Jet Tour | $100-200 | $100-200 | Guided Chilkat River tours from Haines |
| Total (2 adults) | $10-$400 | $45-$500 | Alaska camping is surprisingly affordable |
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the most eagles?
October–November — up to 4,000 gather for late chum salmon runs. But 200-400 eagles are year-round residents.
Are there bears?
Yes — both black and brown bears. Practice bear-aware camping: store food properly, carry bear spray, make noise on trails. Bears are particularly active near salmon streams.
How do I get to Haines?
Alaska Marine Highway ferry from Juneau (4.5 hrs), Haines Highway from the Yukon, or small plane from Juneau. No road connection to the main Alaska highway system except via Canada.
Can I see glaciers from the park?
Yes — Rainbow and Davidson Glaciers are visible from the park’s information center and several viewpoints. No hiking required — they’re visible across the inlet.
Is salmon fishing good?
Excellent — king salmon in June, sockeye, coho, and chum through summer. The Chilkat River is Southeast Alaska’s most productive salmon system. Fishing license required.
What’s the road to the park like?
Seven miles south of Haines on Mud Bay Road. The final stretch includes a 14% grade gravel road with potential potholes — drive carefully, especially in an RV.
🦅 Where Eagles Come to Be Counted in Thousands
Four thousand bald eagles in a single river valley. Glaciers calving ice into an inlet where whales surface and seals rest on rocks. Salmon runs so heavy the river seems to boil. This is Chilkat State Park — Alaska at its most concentrated, where every direction you look holds something that would be the highlight of any other trip. Camp at the edge of the inlet with glacier views. Hike past tide pools and through forests where bears own the trail. Watch eagles stack up in cottonwood trees until the branches bend. This is not a theme park — it’s the real Alaska, and it will rearrange your definition of wild.
📍 Address: Mud Bay Road, Haines, AK 99827
📞 Phone: (907) 766-2292
