Haines (Tlingit: Deishú, meaning “End of the Trail”) sits along the Lynn Canal in northern Southeast Alaska, surrounded by towering peaks, fjords, and glaciers. Known as the Adventure Capital of Alaska, Haines blends rich Tlingit heritage, a frontier history, vibrant arts, and some of the best wildlife viewing in the world.

Unlike most Inside Passage towns, Haines is accessible by both ferry and highway. The scenic Haines Highway connects the community to Canada’s Yukon Territory, making it one of the few Southeast towns that visitors can reach by road. With fewer cruise ships than nearby Skagway, Haines offers a quieter, more authentic small-town experience while still providing world-class opportunities for outdoor exploration.

For thousands of years, the Chilkat Tlingit called this area home, establishing villages and trade routes through the mountain passes. In the 1880s, missionaries established a settlement here, naming it Haines in honor of Francina Haines, a key supporter of the Presbyterian mission. During the Klondike Gold Rush, Haines became a vital supply point along the Dalton Trail, and its strategic importance led to the construction of Fort William H. Seward in 1904. The fort was later decommissioned and transformed into a historic district and thriving arts colony.

Haines sits where the Chilkat and Chilkoot Rivers meet the Lynn Canal, the deepest fjord in North America. Just outside town, the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve protects nearly 50,000 acres of river habitat. Every fall, up to 3,500 bald eagles gather here during the late salmon run, creating one of the largest concentrations of eagles in the world. Nearby, Davidson Glacier, Rainbow Glacier, and Chilkat State Park offer dramatic backdrops for hiking, boating, and photography.

The community is known for its strong arts scene, with galleries, studios, and cultural events flourishing throughout the year. Many are centered around the historic buildings of Fort William H. Seward. Haines is also home to the Sheldon Museum & Cultural Center, which showcases Tlingit traditions and local history, and the quirky Hammer Museum, the only museum in the world dedicated entirely to hammers.

Did You Know?

• Haines was incorporated in 1910 and consolidated into a home-rule borough in 2002.

• The Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve hosts the annual Alaska Bald Eagle Festival every November.

• Haines is one of only three Southeast Alaska towns accessible by road.

• Fort William H. Seward was Alaska’s first permanent U.S. Army post.

• The town set a record with more than 360 inches of snowfall during the 2011–12 winter season