The southeastern Alaska coastal town of Haines sits at the northern end of the Inside Passage, offering campers diverse options between mountains and sea. State-managed sites like Chilkoot Lake State Recreation Site and Chilkat State Park provide established campgrounds with basic amenities within 20 minutes of downtown. Portage Cove Campground offers walk-in tent camping near the ferry terminal with beach access and mountain views. The Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve combines camping opportunities with wildlife viewing in a protected natural setting. Most campgrounds accommodate tents, while some also welcome RVs with varying levels of hookups and amenities.
Camping in the Haines area operates primarily from mid-May through mid-September, with most facilities closing for the harsh winter months. Weather conditions can change rapidly, requiring proper rain gear and warm clothing even in summer. As one camper noted, "Have warm clothing and quality rain gear, as inclement weather can set in quickly and last for days." Bear activity is common throughout the region, particularly near Chilkoot Lake where "lots of grizzlies" are frequently spotted. Cell service varies by location but is generally reliable at Chilkat State Park and in town. Transportation planning is essential, as some visitors arrive via the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system without vehicles, limiting access to more remote camping areas.
Wildlife viewing opportunities rank among the top experiences for campers in the Haines area. The Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve attracts visitors for its concentration of eagles, particularly during salmon runs. Campers consistently praise the scenic beauty, with one noting that Chilkoot Lake offers "beautiful wooded campsites with fire rings, picnic tables, and flat areas for tents... and a short walk to the lake where a beautiful show occurs each time the sun sets." Shoulder seasons (early June and September) provide a quieter experience with fewer tourists and cruise ship visitors. Oceanside sites tend to be more exposed to weather but offer dramatic views of fjords and mountains, while forested sites provide better protection from rain and wind.
"Just a short walk from 'downtown' Haines, this lovely little campground is just great! There is easy access to the beach, with a wonderful view of Haines and the fjords and mountains."
"Lots of benefits to this spot-- Haines is one of my most favorite towns in the South East because it's small, residential, and not as touristy."
"I biked here from Haines in June, it is such a lovely area! I did a tour of the campground and it looks very nice. The boat launch area is perfect for a picnic, and the lake is perfect for a paddle!"
"Everything about Haines is amazing. The mountains in this part of Alaska are towering and incredible."
"Just a few miles south of downtown Haines, this campground offers an amazing launching site for adventures in the Chilkat Inlet and around the peninsula."
"This site is a great basecamp for boating but there are also some great trails within the park. You can see to the mainland on both sides of the fjords so bring the best binoculars you can afford."
$46 - $65 / night
"The location is extremely convenient. We enjoyed our stay and look forward to coming back."
"South of Haines, maybe a 15-20 minute drive. Nice clean campground, pit toilets, water pump. Great first night place to stay near Haines."
"It’s about a twenty-thirty minute drive from town. The tougher your vehicle, the better, but 4wd not needed."
"It says the max height is 11’2” - That’s not correct - Mack Trucks fit over this bridge and drive it regularly. Take a left after the bridge and go past the town historic site and campground."
"It’s easy to walk to downtown Skagway and close to the library for free WiFi. No fire pits is the only downside."
"Location is convenient next to the rec center and a few blocks from town. The restrooms are clean. There’s a coin operated shower and coin operated laundry on site."
"It's an easy trail with a few places to explore and hang out by the water along the way. If you follow it to the Point, you'll pass outhouses and trashcans about half way."
"Also great for trail running. I love this spot! Great afternoon hike that can turn into an overnight stay. Pet friendly too!"
TravelerThis RV park is on the water with lovely views of water and mountains. Check-in was easy, everything worked, everything was super clean, the gathering area and bathrooms were spotlessly clean and comfortable. The staff was friendly. The location is extremely convenient. We enjoyed our stay and look forward to coming back.
ScoutSouth of Haines, maybe a 15-20 minute drive. Nice clean campground, pit toilets, water pump. Great first night place to stay near Haines.
GuideHot showers, laundry, and a great price. It’s easy to walk to downtown Skagway and close to the library for free WiFi. No fire pits is the only downside.
TravelerI don't know when it was shut down but it is day use only now.
TravelerTake Dyea road all the way down over the the Taiya River bridge. It says the max height is 11’2” - That’s not correct - Mack Trucks fit over this bridge and drive it regularly. Take a left after the bridge and go past the town historic site and campground. You’ll likely already see other RVs on the flats. They’re not monitored by the campground other than someone coming by occasionally to check the site for clean up.
Do not park too close to the beach - it has a infamously high tide. You’ll see the algae lines from past tides. It is beautiful and quiet but is frequented by tourists during the day and ATVs.
There are two brown tipped black bears that frequent the area. You can see them looking for fish at low tide or playing together in the meadow. They are small but not cubs. Most black bears in the area are very small.
There is a long to do around this area of Dyea and you’re about a 20-25 min drive from Skagway.
LegendJust a few miles south of downtown Haines, this campground offers an amazing launching site for adventures in the Chilkat Inlet and around the peninsula. We arrived here without any reservation in late June on our way to Juneau and Glacier Bay and were delighted by this quiet and lovely campground. If you’re on foot or bike, there is a much closer walk-in campground just south of downtown. The approach to the Chilkat campground is on a steep dirt road which is pretty good by Alaskan standards, but the campsites cannot accommodate larger rigs. There are plenty of downtown RV parks for those.
There are a few pull-through sites, but the rest have a double-parking set up, where two campsites share a paved parking area and the campsite is to the left or right of the pavement, perfect for small groups. Bathrooms are vault-style and we found them clean and well stocked. Water spigots are scattered throughout the loop. For walk-in fans, there are a few lovely sites down near the water. We were without our trailer on this trip so found a lovely spot to pitch our tent. These sites don’t offer electrical hookups, so bring your solar panels and/or solar generator and you’ll be all set.
There is a day use area down by the water with a full boat launch, picnic tables, and vault toilet. The views of the surrounding coastal mountains here are stunning. The park would make the perfect place to launch your sea kayaking adventures in the area. There appear to be some longer-term parking areas just up the hill next to the Ranger/ Camp Host cabin.
With downtown Haines just a few miles away, you have access to everything you might need: full grocery store, liquor store, restaurants and coffee shops as well as an excellent Visitor’s information center right in the middle of town.
RangerBeautiful views of the ocean, recommend an extra tarp above and below for when it rains. Very close walk to town.
RangerBeautiful park and campground. During busy months this place will be packed but on the shoulder season I had almost the whole campground to myself. Clean facilities, AT&T cell service as good as in town when in the day use area
LegendNice, very vooded place but, very tight. You can see eagles activities in the sky. You have to go out of camp for a view. Haines is 20 minutes drive.
Camping near Haines, Alaska extends from coastal sites at sea level to locations nestled among mountains rising up to 7,000 feet. The camping season typically runs from mid-May through early October, with July and August bringing the warmest temperatures, averaging 65°F during the day and dropping to 45°F at night. Rainfall can exceed 60 inches annually in this temperate rainforest climate zone.
Salmon fishing excursions: Visitors at Chilkoot Lake State Recreation Site can fish for salmon during seasonal runs. "The boat launch area is perfect for a picnic, and the lake is perfect for a paddle! They even have childrens PFDs to borrow, should you forget to bring some," notes one camper who visited in June.
Wildlife photography: The area's rich ecosystem supports diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. "You'll likely see the two brown-tipped black bears that frequent the area. You can see them looking for fish at low tide or playing together in the meadow," explains a camper about the Dyea Campground area.
Trail exploration: From easy walks to challenging hikes, trails offer access to alpine areas. "It's an easy trail with a few places to explore and hang out by the water along the way. If you follow it to the Point, you'll pass outhouses and trashcans about half way," writes a visitor to Yakutania Point.
Quiet shoulder seasons: September offers fewer crowds and seasonal beauty. "The weather is perfect—not too cold, solid breeze but warm sunshine. The leaves start to change to a beautiful yellow," says a visitor about camping near Dyea in early fall.
Waterfront campsites: Oceanside camping provides direct water access. "This RV park is on the water with lovely views of water and mountains. Check-in was easy, everything worked, everything was super clean," reports a camper at Oceanside RV Park.
Historical sites: The area's gold rush history adds educational value to camping trips. "There's a lot to do around this area of Dyea and you're about a 20-25 min drive from Skagway," mentions a camper, noting the historic sites near camping areas.
Vehicle restrictions: Some campgrounds have specific limitations. "Road is curvy and rough with a low bridge, so don't attempt if your over 11'1". Short drive to town, great views, and an interesting walk through the interpretive part of the park," cautions a Dyea Campground visitor.
Bear precautions: All camping areas require proper food storage. "Keep an eye out for wildlife, there are lots of grizzlies around," advises a visitor to Chilkoot Lake.
Coastal tides: Campers should understand tidal patterns before setting up near beaches. "Do not park too close to the beach - it has an infamously high tide. You'll see the algae lines from past tides," warns a Dyea Flats camper.
Water safety gear: Families should pack appropriate flotation devices. "The boat launch area is perfect for a picnic, and the lake is perfect for a paddle! They even have childrens PFDs to borrow, should you forget to bring some," mentions a Chilkoot Lake visitor.
Educational opportunities: Gold rush history provides learning experiences. "There's a nice nature center and rangers who offered tips on where to see the latest wildlife and which trails to try," shares a visitor to Chilkat State Park.
Extra weather protection: Rain can persist for multiple days. "Recommend an extra tarp above and below for when it rains," suggests a camper at Portage Cove Campground.
Size limitations: Several campgrounds cannot accommodate larger RVs. "The approach to the Chilkat campground is on a steep dirt road which is pretty good by Alaskan standards, but the campsites cannot accommodate larger rigs," notes a camper at Chilkat State Park.
Downtown alternatives: RVers with larger vehicles have options closer to town. "For RV or tent camping, there are plenty of affordable RV parks in the area," mentions a visitor to Portage Cove.
Solar power: Off-grid sites require alternative power sources. "These sites don't offer electrical hookups, so bring your solar panels and/or solar generator and you'll be all set," advises a Chilkat State Park visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Haines, AK?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Haines, AK is Portage Cove Campground with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.
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