Kayaking Chilkoot Lake from Skagway: Bald Eagles & Brown Bear

Paddle a pristine alpine lake while your guide spots wildlife most visitors miss

Kayak Chilkoot Lake near Haines on a small-group guided paddle departing from Skagway with high-speed catamaran transfer included. Your guide (trained in wilderness first aid and grounded in local zoology and natural history) navigates you past waterfalls, Tlingit cultural sites, and salmon-filled streams where bald eagles and brown bear feed. The lake stays uncrowded. You paddle silently along shores ringed by snow-capped mountains and old-growth forest.

The experience

How do you get from Skagway to a remote alpine lake without a rental car? The catamaran transfer handles it. You depart Skagway in the morning, cross to Haines, and arrive at Chilkoot Lake State Park ready to paddle. Your guide meets you there and walks you through the basics of sea kayaking before you push off. The gear fits you. The pace is easy. Most people pick up the paddle stroke in the first few minutes and spend the rest of the four hours watching the water instead of fighting it.

The lake itself is the draw. Turquoise water, cliffs with waterfalls spilling straight down, and a shoreline so thick with forest you can barely see where the trees end. In May, June and July, wildflowers peak and bald eagles are nesting in the high branches. Your guide will point out the nests and the birds working them. Beginning in July, sockeye salmon spawn in the clear streams that feed the lake, and that's when the brown bear show up to feed. August and September are peak bear season. Your guide knows where to position the kayaks for a sighting without putting anyone at risk. The guide's knowledge of the area (the birds, the fish, the bears, the Tlingit history) is what separates this from paddling alone.

The catamaran runs both directions, so you return to Skagway the same afternoon. Bring layers. The water is cold and the wind can pick up. The minimum age is seven, and children must paddle with an adult in a tandem kayak or stay close by. If you have spinal issues, are pregnant, or have cardiovascular concerns, this paddle is not the right fit: talk to the operator before booking.

What’s included

• High-speed catamaran transfer between Skagway and Haines.
• port pickup in Skagway.
• kayak, paddle and life jacket.
• four hours on the water with a local naturalist guide trained in wilderness first aid.
• guide gratuities are optional.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30 and 11:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (15 to 75 years) · Child (7 to 14 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupUp to 18

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by seak expeditions

Is this one for you?The catamaran transfer from Skagway means you don't need a rental car or a second day to reach the lake. You paddle the same afternoon you depart, and you're back in Skagway by evening. This works for cruise passengers and anyone staying in Skagway without transport.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (7 to 14 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I kayak Chilkoot Lake if I've never paddled before?

Yes. Your guide teaches the basics (how to hold the paddle, how to stroke, how to turn) before you leave the shore. Sea kayaking is easy to learn, and the calm lake water is forgiving. Most paddlers are comfortable within the first few minutes.

What wildlife will I actually see on Chilkoot Lake?

Bald eagles are common year-round, and nesting activity peaks May through July. Brown bear arrive in July to feed on spawning salmon and are most active August through September. Migratory birds and waterfowl are present throughout the season. Your guide will position the kayaks to maximize sightings while keeping distance safe for both you and the animals.

How do I get from Skagway to Chilkoot Lake?

A high-speed catamaran ferry carries you from Skagway to Haines in the morning, then a driver takes you to Chilkoot Lake State Park. The return catamaran leaves Haines in the afternoon, getting you back to Skagway by evening. Port pickup is included.

What's included in the kayaking trip, and what do I need to bring?

The catamaran transfer, kayak, paddle, life jacket, and guide are all included. Bring warm layers, a waterproof jacket, and sunscreen. The water is cold even in summer, so dress for immersion, not just the air temperature.

What makes the guides here different from guides elsewhere?

Your guide lives in Haines year-round and has formal training in zoology, biology, or natural history, not just paddling instruction. They know the lake's wildlife patterns, the Tlingit cultural sites, and the local ecosystem in depth. That knowledge is what turns a paddle into a naturalist's tour.