Rafting to Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve from Haines
Overview
4 hours
Mobile ticket
This is a small group rafting and scenic driving tour through the famous Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve with a scenic float trip (no whitewater) through the home of the largest bald eagle congregation in the world. Thousands of bald eagles travel here to feed on salmon in the fall and winter. In spring and summer watch for eagles nesting and raising their young.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Minimum age 7 years
Maximum weight 250 lbs.
Cruise Ship Passengers, please provide ship name for meeting location. Hotel guests, please provide name of hotel for pick-up.
Minimum of 2 guests required for tour to run.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Local guide
Lunch consists of a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread, fruit, freshly baked cookie and water. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available with 48 hours advance notice.
Driver/guide
Port pickup
Gratuities
What To Expect
Treat yourself to a small group rafting and scenic driving tour through the famous Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. The drive is incredibly scenic: glacier-clad mountains and colorful wildflowers line the highway. Arrive at the river in the heart of the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, approximately 45 minutes away. Don your life jackets, listen to your guide’s safety talk, board the raft and leave the road and civilization behind. You are immersed in the Alaskan wilderness, floating the silent river channels. This is a scenic float trip (no whitewater) through the home of the largest bald eagle congregation in the world. Your expert guide will push the raft along, explaining the intricate balance of nature that makes this a unique and special place. You do not have to paddle; your hands are free for your camera and binoculars. Keep an eye out for other wildlife besides bald eagles. ……moose, otters, brown and black bear, and even wolves, call this Preserve their home. You will spend approximately one and one half hours floating the river. After rafting, your guide will select a scenic spot to enjoy a picnic lunch on your way back to Haines.
Options
Rafting Tour- Haines Departure
Reviews
73 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fun raft trip through the reserve
Frances S,
Sep 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00An enjoyable experience all in all- well organized and on time. Love that they provided quality equipment (raft, life vests, boots, and a pair of binoculars for the raft. My only complaint is that the guide was very soft spoken. Thankfully I was seated in front of him so I was able to hear but not sure anyone behind him did.
Excellent Raft Trip
436linnn,
Sep 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Garrett was an outstanding guide. He was courteous, helpful, knowledgeable, and a proficient handler of the raft. We felt safe, enjoyed his comments, and had a great time. He was able to point out Eagles and their nests as we traversed the river. We were provided with comfortable boots, life jackets, and a delicious lunch. We were met and warmly greeted at the dock. We were 100% pleased with this company and would book with them again.
Floating down the river
Michael S,
Sep 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00A great day out almost got sunburnt so warm. Floating down the river is such a beautiful way of seeing the wildlife on the water and in the air.
Plenty of Bald Headed Eagles to see
Michelle W,
Sep 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Easy pick up from our cruise ship. A nice easy experience rafting down the Chilkat River. Anyone can do this activity. We had a lady who was 83 and she did this. Easy in the raft and no it’s not white water rafting. Calm river. The guides are all knowledgeable and fun. Our bus driver and Raft Driver was Davey and Steve both very knowledgeable. We saw lots of bald headed eagles and their nests. We saw them fly and they were huge. Easy to get in and out of the raft. We had lunch at the end Turkey cheese Mayo mustard lettuce sandwich, biscuit and apple. The only thing we found disappointing was the long wait at the toilet stop. It must of been at least 45 minutes as we were waiting for other busses to turn up. Too long of a wait. Overall a good experience
Cruise line traveler
annlP796SK,
Aug 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Davey did an amazing job giving us the history of the region while pointing out eagles and their nests all the while navigating the river. It was an immensely enjoyable afternoon.
Wonderful!!
596gaylem,
Aug 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a wonderful adventure. Our guide Richard Cook was the best. He was professional, through in the safety presentation, knowledgeable, and personable. We had quite a lot of questions and he addressed every one of them. I will recommend this trip and guide to my friends and family.
Excellent time with our guide Richard
1020travelbug,
Aug 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We really enjoyed rafting down the river with our guide Richard. He was very knowledgeable! I would highly recommend this rafting experience. The eagles were beautiful as was the general scenery even on a cloudy day! We could have rafted longer!
A peaceful guide down a lazy river
fu3l3x,
Aug 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Husband and I did this as a part of our America Cruise LInes excursion. Our driver (so sorry cannot remember his name) was awesome and made sure to give us history and info on the area as we made our journey both to and from the ship. Our rafting guide Russ was fantastic and kept our group of 8 moving along the river and pointing out areas of interest and the bald eagles. Unfortunately it was a warm morning so much of the wildlife was keeping cool in the shade but it never diminished the lazy glide we had going down the river early in the morning. Thanks guys for a fantastic day.
Great tour guide but boring place
Jiajing L,
Aug 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00The guide is very friendly. The scenic bus ride to the eagle preserve is also very nice as the driver introduced us to the area. Unfortunately, once you get there, I was quite disappointed with the area. The eagle preserve had maybe two eagles. The river is scenic on a beautiful sunny day; however, it was very windy and super cold in early August despite the sun. The whole tour with the bus ride is a 4-4.5 hour experience, but it was quite uneventful and underwhelming. I can’t imagine coming here on an overcast or rainy day. This is a good excursion consider Haines is a very quiet and boring town, but this area is nothing special for someone who’s been to Lake Tahoe and American river water rafting.
learning about the chilkat valley from a masterful raftsman and guide
susansY6OR,
Aug 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our “peaceful” float down the Chilkat was well-organized (thanks to Garrett, who drove our van, patiently and carefully found well-fitting boots for everyone, and kept the whole operation on task and on time), interesting/informative, exciting to start (thanks to the afternoon breezes on the river) but then peaceful and relaxing. Our oarsman and guide, Steve Ritzinger, is an obviously-skilled (not to mention strong) raftsman but he also charmed us with his wisdom and clear affection for the river, its flora and fauna, and the history and culture of its people. When someone asked a question, he really thought about his response, and then: look out! His answer might start out with river dynamics and end up with Tlingit trade routes; and there was always awe and data and science about the thousands of eagles who gather in the Chilkat Valkey in early winter to feast on the late run of chum salmon. Fantastic! Steve isn’t flashy, but neither is the river on a cool grey day, so it was a perfect match!
From $179.00
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Operated by Rainbow Glacier Adventures