Chilkoot Wilderness and Wildlife Viewing from Haines

After disembarking your cruise ship in Haines, your small group will meet your expert naturalist guide for a drive to Chilkoot State Park.

This park has it all: a turquoise lake surrounded by snowy mountain peaks, a salmon-filled river flowing into the sea, and important Tlingit cultural sights. Bald eagles, harbor seals, and brown bears are often seen here.

In May, June, and July, the wildflowers are at their peak, and bald eagles are busy caring for their young on the nest.

Beginning in late July, the river at Chilkoot State Park fills with migrating salmon, and harbor seals follow them up into the river where they go to spawn. During this time, brown bears come down to the river's edge to feed. As the number of salmon in the river increases, the likelihood of seeing bears down along the river increases, with a good probability of bear sightings from mid-August through late September.

As you drive through the park, your guide knows the best places to stop for scenery and the possibility of wildlife spotting. Your guide is equipped with a powerful spotting scope to bring the wildlife in close, and your guide will help interpret the behavior of the various wildlife and explain how the animals fit into the Chilkoot's complex ecosystem. The area is scenic, and pristine nature abounds, but wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. Regardless, your guide will help identify the vegetation and flowers, discuss the area's Ice Age geology, and explain how everything fits together in the Chilkoot's rainforest ecosystem. Make sure you bring your camera to take advantage of the numerous photo opportunities.

Please Note: Sightings of brown bears are not likely before the salmon season in August. This tour goes through prime wildlife habitat, however, wildlife sightings, including brown bear, are not guaranteed.