Known as the adventure capital of Alaska, the tiny town of Haines is a sweet little hidden gem that packs an awfully fascinating amount of punch. There’s so many fun and adventurous things to do in Haines, Alaska. With its location on the northern part of the Alaska Panhandle, the raw and rugged natural beauty in the area is absolutely renowned.
Massive mountain peaks that give way to larger-than-life glacial landmasses are just the tip of the adventuresome iceberg. The town is also a winter wonderland paradise that attracts adrenaline junkies from all around the world. Soon enough you’ll see what all the fuss is about, and why countless visitors flock to this special spot all year long. This is the perfect spot to go if you’re looking for a little more adventure in your life!
Flickr - Andrei Taranchenko
The beautiful community of Haines is located on the northern section of Alaska’s Panhandle in Southeast Alaska.
Wikipedia This isolated little spot is a total gem to experience.
Completely surrounded by lush natural beauty, the small community of Haines is home to only 2,500 year-round residents, but its renowned sights attract visitors from all around the world.
Wikipedia This is an iconic place to visit in Alaska, and it’s rich with history.
When we say ‘surrounded’ - we mean totally and completely surrounded.
Flickr - Tom Brady Mind blowing, huh? Only in Alaska will you find sights this magical. The sights you see when you wake up each morning in this small town will blow you away.
Popular activities in the area include hiking, road trips, wildlife viewing, natural photography, heli-skiing and much more.
Wikipedia All of these amazing activities combine to give you one of the best small towns to visit in Alaska.
Many access Haines by pulling into Fort William H. Seward from the Chilkoot Inlet.
Wikipedia - Colin Lea The views of town from the water are memorable and charming.
Also known as the Chilkoot Barracks, what is unique about this spot is that is was Alaska’s only military facility between 1925 and 1940.
Flickr - Andrei Taranchenko
In fact, it was actually the last of a series of 11 military posts established in Alaska during the notorious gold rush era.
Flickr - jerseygal2009 This area is just filled with history, especially as it was one of the closest areas in Alaska for people in the lower 48 to visit.
Today Haines is a very popular stop for cruise ship passengers as well as those traveling on the Alaska Marine Highway.
Flickr - Antinephalist To make your reservation today, click HERE. Even though it’s one of the tiny towns in Alaska, there’s so much to enjoy when you visit this great place.
Unlike many other towns in Southeast Alaska, you can actually drive to Haines via the Haines Highway.
Flickr - Jimmy Emerson, DVM This highway passes through British Columbia on its way to the junction at the Alaska Highway and Haines Junction in the Yukon. While you can drive, wildly harsh winter weather conditions often times make this trek nearly impossible for half of the year. Be sure to plan your route and know your options if you’re traveling in from Canada.
If you do decide to make the drive, be sure to always keep your eyes peeled for wildlife roaming freely in their natural habitat.
Flickr - Tom Fries It’s their land first, we just get afforded the opportunity to play here. Keep your camera handy, because there’s plenty to see!
As you drive through town you’ll notice very eclectic signage.
Flickr - Jeremy Keith Like this one of a ferocious bear at Bear Den Gifts. But do you see that view in the background? So stunning! The town is small, but the places to stop are filled with fun.
But this quintessential Alaskan town truly does have a lot to offer.
Wikipedia
Not only are you completely surrounded by natural beauty at every twist and turn, but the local cultural heritage is abundantly charming.
Flickr - Diana Norgaard
The Sheldon Museum and Cultural Center is a great place to see 19th Century artifacts, books, photographs, slides and so much more.
Flickr - oklanica Put this place on your list of spots to hit when you visit Haines, one of the lesser known places in Alaska.
Or for a slightly more odd and interesting experience, consider visiting the local Hammer Museum.
Flickr - Sean Hoyer Known as the world’s first museum dedicated to preserving the history of the world’s first tool, the hammer. You’ll never get bored in Haines, we promise.
If hanging out in the town isn’t really your thing, you’ll be stoked to find out that there is so much you can do in the great outdoors.
Flickr - Murray Foubister The town may be small, but the wilderness outside of it isn’t.
Wildlife viewing animals like grizzly bears, moose and bald eagles is very popular in Haines.
Flickr - Aaron Bradley In fact, this is a great place to go bear viewing.
But remember to be cautious and stay vigilant. Animals are often times roaming with their young nearby, which can cause them to get very protective.
Flickr - Aaron Bradley Always try to keep a safe distance and don’t do anything outlandish to try and get the attention of a wild animal. Do be bear aware, and practice the “Leave no trace” ethics when you visit Haines.
Rafting in the Chilkat River and kayaking in the inlet is a great way to see brilliant natural wonders off the beaten path.
Flickr - Sarah Richter Viewing the area by water is a stunning way to explore.
Hiking places like the Seduction Point Trail in Haines will lead you to breathtaking glaciers and endless views surrounding the Davidson Glacier.
Flickr - Sean Hoyer Hiking in the Takshanuk Mountains, Mount Ripinski specifically, is also very popular in Haines. There are so many great trails and hidden places to explore in this fascinating area.
Flight-seeing tours in Haines are a great way to see the vast array of beauty that the surrounding areas have to offer.
Flickr - Antinephalist If you have the chance, book one of these tours to get a view that’s rarely seen!
Of if you’re more of a daring adventure seeker, try paragliding to soak in all those gorgeous surrounding sights in Haines.
Flickr - Andrei Taranchenko Now this is an adventure that would be hard to forget! Haines is the perfect place for those looking for a little adventure.
But Haines is so much more than just a seasonal destination. It gets a LOT of snow and it totally transforms into a winter wonderland during the off-season.
Flickr - Diana Norgaard This is a great place to visit, no matter the time of year.
Perhaps the most popular winter attraction in Haines is Heli-Skiing with Total Heliski.
Flickr - Total Heliski The backcountry powder that’s offered in these mountains is epic. This is a skiing memory you won’t ever forget.
These life-changing adventures for the adrenaline junkie crowd offer supreme power and panoramic views that will literally blow your mind into another solar system.
Flickr - Total Heliski You can’t find views like this anywhere else.
Before we sign off, let us remind you that every day spent in Haines is worthy of getting up early to soak in the sunrise and staying up late enough to reward yourself with an epic sunset view.
Flickr - Rob Schillinger It’ll be hard to sleep in a town as amazing as this one, where there’s always something fun to try. Definitely put this little town on your map of places to go adventuring this year!
Did we miss any of the great things to do in Haines, Alaska? What else would you add on to the list? We want to hear it, so let us know in the comments below!
Flickr - Andrei Taranchenko
Wikipedia
This isolated little spot is a total gem to experience.
Wikipedia
This is an iconic place to visit in Alaska, and it’s rich with history.
Flickr - Tom Brady
Mind blowing, huh? Only in Alaska will you find sights this magical. The sights you see when you wake up each morning in this small town will blow you away.
All of these amazing activities combine to give you one of the best small towns to visit in Alaska.
Wikipedia - Colin Lea
The views of town from the water are memorable and charming.
Flickr - jerseygal2009
This area is just filled with history, especially as it was one of the closest areas in Alaska for people in the lower 48 to visit.
Flickr - Antinephalist
To make your reservation today, click HERE. Even though it’s one of the tiny towns in Alaska, there’s so much to enjoy when you visit this great place.
Flickr - Jimmy Emerson, DVM
This highway passes through British Columbia on its way to the junction at the Alaska Highway and Haines Junction in the Yukon. While you can drive, wildly harsh winter weather conditions often times make this trek nearly impossible for half of the year. Be sure to plan your route and know your options if you’re traveling in from Canada.
Flickr - Tom Fries
It’s their land first, we just get afforded the opportunity to play here. Keep your camera handy, because there’s plenty to see!
Flickr - Jeremy Keith
Like this one of a ferocious bear at Bear Den Gifts. But do you see that view in the background? So stunning! The town is small, but the places to stop are filled with fun.
Flickr - Diana Norgaard
Flickr - oklanica
Put this place on your list of spots to hit when you visit Haines, one of the lesser known places in Alaska.
Flickr - Sean Hoyer
Known as the world’s first museum dedicated to preserving the history of the world’s first tool, the hammer. You’ll never get bored in Haines, we promise.
Flickr - Murray Foubister
The town may be small, but the wilderness outside of it isn’t.
Flickr - Aaron Bradley
In fact, this is a great place to go bear viewing.
Always try to keep a safe distance and don’t do anything outlandish to try and get the attention of a wild animal. Do be bear aware, and practice the “Leave no trace” ethics when you visit Haines.
Flickr - Sarah Richter
Viewing the area by water is a stunning way to explore.
Hiking in the Takshanuk Mountains, Mount Ripinski specifically, is also very popular in Haines. There are so many great trails and hidden places to explore in this fascinating area.
If you have the chance, book one of these tours to get a view that’s rarely seen!
Now this is an adventure that would be hard to forget! Haines is the perfect place for those looking for a little adventure.
This is a great place to visit, no matter the time of year.
Flickr - Total Heliski
The backcountry powder that’s offered in these mountains is epic. This is a skiing memory you won’t ever forget.
You can’t find views like this anywhere else.
Flickr - Rob Schillinger
It’ll be hard to sleep in a town as amazing as this one, where there’s always something fun to try. Definitely put this little town on your map of places to go adventuring this year!
If the beauty of Haines blew you away as much as it did to us, be sure to also check out these 15 mountain towns in Alaska that are straight out of a storybook. Also, consider taking this road trip through Alaska’s most picturesque small towns for an utterly charming experience.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Haines, AK 99827, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Things To Do In Haines Alaska April 05, 2021 Megan McDonald When is the best time of year to go heli-sking in Haines? While many would automatically assume that winter would be the best season to ski in Alaska, it’s actually March through mid April. The days are longer, with plenty of sunshine, more temperate weather, but cold enough to keep the snow stable. What kind of wildlife will you see in Haines? There is a wide array of wildlife in this area, including moose, brown and black bear, coyotes, wolves, and more. This is a definitely a great place to spot the wildlife that Alaska is famous for.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Things To Do In Haines Alaska
April 05, 2021
Megan McDonald
When is the best time of year to go heli-sking in Haines? While many would automatically assume that winter would be the best season to ski in Alaska, it’s actually March through mid April. The days are longer, with plenty of sunshine, more temperate weather, but cold enough to keep the snow stable. What kind of wildlife will you see in Haines? There is a wide array of wildlife in this area, including moose, brown and black bear, coyotes, wolves, and more. This is a definitely a great place to spot the wildlife that Alaska is famous for.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
While many would automatically assume that winter would be the best season to ski in Alaska, it’s actually March through mid April. The days are longer, with plenty of sunshine, more temperate weather, but cold enough to keep the snow stable.
What kind of wildlife will you see in Haines?
There is a wide array of wildlife in this area, including moose, brown and black bear, coyotes, wolves, and more. This is a definitely a great place to spot the wildlife that Alaska is famous for.
