Haines, which includes the area known as Fort Wm. H. Seward, is situated
at the upper end of the Inside Passage, 14 miles south of Skagway and 80 miles north of Juneau. Surrounded by snowcapped mountains, lush meadows and forests, the area is one of the most scenic in all of Alaska. Population 2800.
Haines can be reached via the 159-mile Haines Highway which branches from the Alaska Highway 100 miles north of Whitehorse at Haines Junction. The Haines highway was built in 1943 and is now one of
Alaska's best and most scenic highways. The town is served by the Alaska Marine Highway System, as well as scheduled air and bus transportation. Across the waters of the Chilkat
River is Pyramid Harbor and the start of the Dalton Trail — one of the routes to the gold fields of the Klondike. This trail was developed by the Chilkat Indians for the purpose of trading in the interior and was improved in the late 1880's by Jack Dalton.
History Early in November 1879, a canoe slipped into the mouth of the Chilkat Inlet carrying S. Hall Young, an early Presbyterian missionary, and his naturalist
friend, John Muir. Young told the Chilkats of his intention to build a new Christian town between two waterways, the Chilkat River and the Lynn Canal. By 1881 the mission had been fully established. In the early 1900's, the government built a permanent Army post here known as Fort William H. Seward, which was later renamed Chilkoot Barracks. The post was abandoned in 1946 and sold as surplus property to a group of veterans who established it as Port Chilkoot. In 1970 the area became part of the City of Haines and when the fort became a national historic site in 1972, the name was changed back to Fort Wm. H. Seward.
Information
Haines Visitor Information Center on 2nd Avenue between Main Street & the Highway. 907-766-2234,
1-800-458-3579.
Post Office on the Haines Highway
between 2nd & Mud Bay Road.
ATM at First National Bank 2nd &
Main Street and inside Howser’s grocery store on Main Street.
Internet access at the library on
3rd .
Emergency only 911; Haines police
766-2121; State Troopers 766-2552; Haines Medical Center 766-2521,
245 First Street, next door to the Visitor Center.
Propane/Water/Dump Tesoro on Main Street and Haines Highway. Gas, diesel,
oil. Free dump and water.
Haines Hitch-up RV Park. 92 full hookup
wide grassy pull-through sites, 50-amps sites, wireless internet
and cable TV available. 851 Main St. 907-766-2882
Chilkoot Lake State Recreation
Site (10 miles north of Haines. Follow Lutak Road for 5 miles
past the ferry terminal) 32 campsites, well water, toilets, picnic
shelter, boat launch. Fee area. Good year-round Dolly Varden
fishing in Chilkoot Lake and River; silver and pink salmon, August
and September.
Portage Cove State Recreation Site 1
mile south of Haines on Beach Road 9 tent campsites, picnic
area, water, toilets and fishing. For bikers and backpackers only.
Alaska Nature Tours is one of the premier naturalist guiding services in the State. They promise close up looks at the spectacular wildlife in the valley of the eagles. Hikes and nature walks in the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. Their booking office is at 109 second ave across from the visitor center. They have an excellent selection of outdoor clothing and gear also.
907-766-2876
Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve can be found below Klukwan on the ‘flats’ of the Chilkat River, mile 18 to 21, on the Haines Highway. This area is called the “Council Grounds” because of the large congregation of eagles that can be found here. 907- 465-4563
Alaska Indian Arts Center, features carvers and artisans making totem poles, masks, ceremonial blankets, rattles, dishes, war clubs etc.
Alaska
Chilkat Bald Eagle Preservecan be found below Klukwan
on the Chilkat River flats (mile 18 to 24 on the Haines Highway).
This area is called the “Council Grounds” because of its
congregation of eagles. 907- 465-4563
Alaska Indian Arts Center features
carvers and artisans making totem poles, masks, ceremonial blankets,
rattles, dishes, war clubs etc.
American Bald Eagle Foundationinterpretive center explains how the bald eagle interacts with
its environment. There are many exhibits including mounted
eagles, mammals, fish and wildlife. Admission fee, open daily from
10am to 6pm. Corner of Second and Haines Highway across from the
Municipal Building.
Fort William H. Seward, with its old officers' headquarters, barracks buildings and parade ground, has been designated as a National Historic Site. A walking tour map of the fort is available at the Visitor Information Center.
Haines Walking Tour. A self guided walking tour that is 1.6 miles long.
Hiking Haines has several good day hikes. Ask at the Visitor Center for a brochure.
Sheldon Museum on the waterfront corner of Front and Main streets features a private collection of Indian artifacts and early-day Haines area relics that should not be missed.
Haines Visitor Information Center on 2nd Avenue between Main Street & the Highway. 907-766-2234,
1-800-458-3579.
