Haines’ biggest claim to fame lies northwest up the Haines Highway on the Chilkat River: the 48,000 acre Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. An upwelling of warm water and an exceptionally late salmon run entices more than 3,000 bald eagles to overwinter along the river.

The highest concentration of eagles is found on the Eagle Council Grounds, a stretch of river flats that parallels the highway between Miles 18 and 24. Here, well-developed turnouts with interpretive signs allow easy viewing of these iconic predators catching and eating the spawning chum salmon. The banquet also attracts bears, wolves, and other animals.

During the summer you can take a boat up the river and explore the maze of waterways that wind through the bottomlands. You likely will see moose, often cows with their spindly-legged calves.