Haines, Alaska: Location, Geography & Communities

Haines is a consolidated city-borough in the Northern Alaska Panhandle (Inside Passage).

Location & Access

• Coordinates: 59.23° N, 135.44° W
• Distances:
  • 75 mi (121 km) north of Juneau (state capital) — ferry (4.5 hr) or flight (35 min)
  • 150 mi (240 km) NW of Petersburg
  • 100 mi (160 km) SE of Skagway (Klondike Highway connection)
  • 350 mi (560 km) from Whitehorse, Yukon (via Haines Hwy)
• Transport: Alaska Marine Highway (ferry), Haines Airport (HNS), Haines Highway (AK-7 / YT-3) to Canada/Alaska road network.

Borough Composition

Haines Borough includes:

• City of Haines (borough seat, pop. ~1,900)
• Census-Designated Places: Lutak, Mosquito Lake
• Unincorporated Communities: Excursion Inlet, Klukwan (Tlingit village), Lisianski Inlet, Mud Bay, Pleasant Camp, Port Chilkoot, Portage Cove, Tee Harbor, Wells

Key Features

• Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve: World's largest concentration (3,000+ eagles in fall).
• Chilkat River: Salmon runs, glacial scenery.
• Fort William H. Seward: First U.S. Army post in Alaska (1904); now arts district.
• Tlingit Culture: Strong heritage; Klukwan is cultural center.
• Climate: Maritime subarctic — milder winters, cooler summers than interior.

Population

2020 Census: 2,080 (borough); down from 2,508 (2010). 7th most populous borough in Alaska.