Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
The world-famous Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve boasts the largest gathering of bald eagles anywhere in the world! Your adventure begins with a spectacular drive along the National Scenic Byway through the awe-inspiring Chilkat Valley to the heart of the preserve. After a riverside picnic you will board 18-foot inflatable rafts and enjoy a peaceful float (no whitewater) down this ever-changing river.
Watch for eagles, bears, moose, and wolves who frequent the preserve to feed on the plentiful spawning salmon. With 7,000-foot-tall peaks towering above as you drift through picturesque landscapes, floating down the river is the best way to take in the grandeur of Alaska.
After your river trip, enjoy homemade cookies and hot and cold drinks by riverbank before boarding your bus back to Haines.
This is an unforgettable adventure into the wilderness of Alaska!
**Wildlife sightings not a guarantee**
Additional Info
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
100% Refund will be provided if cancelled before 14 days of tour departure date
50% Refund will be provided if cancelled 14 days to 4 days prior to departure time
No Refunds will be provided if cancelled within 96 hours of tour departure time
What To Expect
Haines
Enjoy the simplicity and beauty of small-town Haines on your way to your rafting adventure. Along the way, your guides will regale you with local natural history, geology, and Gold Rush tales as they point out snow-capped peaks, thick timber forests, and the abundant wildlife.
Fort William H. Seward National Historic Landmark
Check out Fort Seward (Alaska's first Army post) on your way through Haines to begin your rafting adventure. Check out the historic structures that were formerly Army barracks stacked next to the picturesque Port Chilkoot overlooking the Lynn Canal.
Options
Departure Times
Varies: This tour's departure time will depend on date availability. Please reach out to us to receive departure time. Thank you!
What‘s Included
Rubber boots
Professional guide
Driver/guide
Lunch
Beverages
Rain ponchos if necessary
PFD (personal flotation device)
Gratuities
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Reviews
41 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Float trip but no raptor center tour. WTF.
Cam C,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00Float trip was good. Guides were great. No two hour raptor center tour as promised in the promo. No mention of it. Did not happen. Disappointed with that for sure.
Beautiful river float tour!
Tracy H,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very fun time and the crew was great!
Rafting with Eagles
PatC1320,Jun 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide was excellent and informative and entertaining. He explained the wildlife and pointed out many sights.
A+ experience with Gianna!
matthewcE4371PY,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had Gianna as a tour guide and she was hands down the best tour guide I’ve had on any trip. Infectious personality, great knowledge, and her passion for what she does shone through at every turn I can’t recommend this excursion enough and if you get Gianna you are guaranteed a great time!
Highly recommended.
Peter H,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did this as a day trip from Skagway where our cruise ship was berthed overnight. We loved the bus trip from Haines to the river departure point. We even saw a brown bear with 2 cubs along the way. The rafting down the river was great, with our informative guide Trench. Saw lots of eagles, and got a good feel for the wilderness of the river. Highly recommend this adventure.
Excellent
E7062XCrandyc,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a wonderful time. Started out with the bus ride up the river and the guide and driver was very informative. Then once we got on the boat our guide Noah was excellent, answered all our questions and gave plenty of information. Would definitely recommend them.
Fantastic experience!
Nicholas S,Sep 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Absolutely incredible experience we won’t forget, great and skilled guides, lost count of how many eagles we saw! I would absolutely love to do this again. My only criticism and the reason for not giving 5 stars is because the meeting point was moved and nobody told us. We were waiting at the listed meeting point and if we hadn’t tried our luck and asked around because no one had shown, we may have missed the trip altogether.
Excellent tour with the best guides (Wylie Betz and Lily)
Mobile33848909059,Sep 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were ferried to the preserve location, then bussed to the Chilkat River edge, then easily alighted our small (6-8 person) raft. All the rowing was expertly and delightfully done by Lily, as she narrated with her absolute love of this place. She was as excited as we were to spot literally dozens of bald eagles, some quite close. A small lunch welcomed us back to shore before we bussed back to our ferry. Wylie shared his passion for this place and the necessity of its preservation ecologically.
Wylie the River Legend is a Treat& so are the Eagles!
Christy O,Sep 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Today hubby & I floated the Haines Eagle Preserve on the Chilkat River with our most excellent guide & a river legend to us, Wylie Betz! Not only did Wylie serve up a splendid sunny afternoon for our float but he made the miles down stretches of beautiful scenery very memorable with his knowledge of the area, his quick wit & his obvious passion for his job though I do see him one day becoming mayor of town to contribute even more to his community as a good deed doer & devoted steward of the waters he maneuvers magically in his happy place. Don’t miss a chance to ride with Wylie, spy the eagles & be in awe at the size of their nest & the beauty of their home! Thank you Wylie & Kevin (our bus driver) for a super sensational day down by the river!
Outstanding Day on the River with Lilly and Wiley - Sooo Many Eagles!
D7255TEjohnn,Sep 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We got to spend an amazing few hours on the river with Lilly, Wiley, and Daniel…plus we saw 20+ Bald Eagles! These guides are not only expert rafters, but it’s obvious they love what they do. And so knowledgeable about the birds, the surrounding landscape, and especially the river. We learned so much and had a wonderful time - 6 stars for the guides, the river, and of course, all the eagles!
Related Experiences
Operated by Alaska Mountain Guides Adventures, inc. Chilkat Guides Ltd