Chilkat State Park

Chilkat State Park sits on a peninsula south of Haines on Alaska’s Inside Passage, between the Chilkat and Chilkoot inlets. The 9,837-acre park is best known for its views of Rainbow Glacier, a hanging glacier with a waterfall dropping from its face, and the larger Davidson Glacier across the inlet. Chilkat is quieter than the more popular state parks near Anchorage and offers visitors a more remote Southeast Alaska experience.

Hiking Trails

Chilkat State Park has three main hiking options, ranging from easy beach walks to a steeper summit route with wide views over the inlets. The best-known route is the Ayiklutu Trail, often still referred to locally as the Seduction Point Trail. This coastal hike begins near the campground and follows Chilkat Inlet through a mix of rainforest, shoreline, coves, and rocky beach. Alaska State Parks lists it as a 7-mile one-way trail, while local Haines trail information describes it as about 6.8 miles. The route is scenic rather than technical, but hikers should check tide tables before setting out because some shoreline sections can be affected by high water.

Battery Point Trail is the easier north-side option. The trail starts near the end of Beach Road, passes through forest, and eventually reaches the beach. Alaska State Parks describes it as about 2 miles one way, making it a good choice for visitors who want a shorter hike with forest and shoreline scenery.

Mount Riley Trail is the park’s more strenuous hike. The trail can be reached from around Mile 3 of Mud Bay Road or by a junction off Battery Point Trail. It gains noticeably more elevation than the coastal trails, but the payoff is a broad view over the Haines area, Chilkat Inlet, Chilkoot Inlet, Lynn Canal, and the surrounding mountains.

Glacier Views

One of Chilkat State Park’s biggest draws is the glacier viewing from the log cabin contact and information center. The cabin overlooks Chilkat Inlet and has views toward Rainbow Glacier and Davidson Glacier, making it one of the easiest places near Haines to see glaciers without booking a flightseeing trip or boat tour.

Rainbow Glacier is the more distinctive view from the park. It is a hanging glacier across the inlet, with a waterfall dropping from its face, and it is especially striking on clear days when the ice, cliffs, and surrounding peaks are visible together. Davidson Glacier is larger and sits farther across the inlet, adding to the park’s broad glacial panorama.

The information center also has wildlife spotting scopes. Visitors may see seals, porpoises, whales, bears, and mountain goats across the inlet, depending on season, weather, and luck. For the best visibility, plan glacier viewing for a clear morning or evening, when the light is lower and the wind on the inlet is often calmer.

Camping

Chilkat State Park offers a small, quiet campground in a mixed forest of evergreens and deciduous trees near Chilkat Inlet. Alaska State Parks currently lists 35 campsites, 4 walk-in campsites, latrines, water, picnic sites, a picnic shelter, and a boat launch. Campsites are first-come, first-served and cannot be reserved in advance. After choosing an open site, campers pay at the electronic fee station in the campground.

The campground is best suited to tents, small trailers, truck campers, and modest-size RVs. Alaska State Parks lists a 35-foot RV size limit and a 15-day camping limit. The setting is more rustic than a full-service RV park, so visitors should not expect hookups or extensive amenities.

Glacier View Cabin is a separate public-use cabin in Chilkat State Park, but it operates differently from the summer campground. The cabin is available for public rental from October 15 to April 15; outside that period, it serves as the park’s information center. The cabin sleeps up to 8 people, has a 3-night stay limit, includes a fire ring and picnic table, and uses wood heat, but guests must bring their own firewood and supplies. There is no potable water at the cabin. Winter access is hike-in or foot access only, about 1.5 miles from the road gate with roughly 700 feet of elevation loss on the way in and an uphill haul on the way out.

Pet Policy

Pets are allowed at Glacier View Cabin, but Alaska State Parks notes that they must be leashed at all times and owners are responsible for cleaning up pet waste. The same leash-and-cleanup approach is the safest rule to follow throughout Chilkat State Park, especially because the park has wildlife, shoreline habitat, and shared campground areas.

Keep dogs under control on trails and beaches, do not allow them to chase wildlife, and be especially cautious around bears, mountain goats, porpoises, seals, and nesting or feeding birds. Bring waste bags and pack out pet waste where disposal is not available.

Practical Information

Chilkat State Park is about 7 miles south of Haines. From town, drive south on Mud Bay Road to Chilkat State Park Road, then turn right toward the park. The campground and day-use area are reached by a steep gravel access road; several visitor guides note a 14% grade, so drivers should use caution, especially with RVs, trailers, or wet road conditions.

Camping is currently listed at $20 per night by Alaska State Parks, and campsites are first-come, first-served. The park has water, latrines, picnic areas, a picnic shelter, trails, and a boat launch, but services are limited compared with more developed campgrounds. Bring food, layers, rain gear, water containers, and everything needed for a self-sufficient Southeast Alaska camping trip.

The main camping season is generally mid-May through mid-October, depending on weather and seasonal conditions. Day-use hiking and sightseeing may still be possible outside the camping season, but visitors should expect reduced services, possible road or gate limitations, and winter access issues. The Glacier View Cabin rental season runs October 15 through April 15.