Chilkat State Park RV & Campground Guide
Alaska
- Home
- State Parks
- Alaska
- Chilkat State Park
Chilkat State Park lies on a small piece of land in the Chilkat Inlet, which branches off the Inside Passage in Great Bear Fjordland. The wonderful landscape views are an essential aspect of that part of Alaska and are more than worthy of photographing or even setting up an easel and breaking out the paintbrush. The campground at Chilkat State Park provides wildlife viewing telescopes so that you can observe the local animals safely. The hiking trails in the park range from easy to very difficult and give you a chance to explore the state's outdoors.
Nearby Cities
Juneau, AK
Haines, AK
Mosquito Lake, AK
Klukwan, AK
Spring 33-59 F
Summer 55-64 F
Fall 33-55 F
Winter 20-30 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Chilkat State Park
Campground Accommodations
Chilkat State Park Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookups: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 35 feet
Other amenities: Fire rings, wildlife viewing scopes, restrooms, picnic tables, fire rings, boat launch
Chilkat State Park
If you're coming in an RV that's 35 feet long or shorter, the Chilkat State Park campground is a fantastic option. With 35 campsites, it never feels crowded. Each site is tucked into the forest near the water, so you can walk to the trailheads, picnic area, or beach. Most sites offer a fire pit and a grill. When camping in the park or anywhere nearby, make sure to keep your food in a vehicle or a bear-proof container. There are no hookups in the park, but restrooms are available. Expect a nightly rate of $20.
Oceanside RV
Fall asleep to the sound of the waves lapping on the shore at Oceanside RV. If you're interested in amenities, this campground has you covered; each site offers full hookups, cable TV, and Wi-Fi. To make your stay more comfortable, the campground has showers, bathrooms, a common room, and freezers for guests. It's open year-round with nightly rates starting at $40.
What to Do at
Chilkat State Park
Setting forth into America's largest fjord in a boat is the most popular activity at Chilkat State Park. Hiking is a close second. You might also hear the ferry's horn as it makes its way to Haines. Everything in the area is worth photographing, from the marvelous scenery to the diverse wildlife.
You can fish for your dinner and then work it off hiking the next day. Or, take a boat ride around the inlet and enjoy the scenery.
Inside Chilkat State Park
The Chilkat State Park experience is all about the wilderness. Once you navigate the gravel road in from Haines — it can easily take 30 minutes to make the 10-mile trip — you'll feel like you've stumbled onto a remote paradise. Start by hiking the waterfront 7-mile Seduction Point Trail, or go in search of the best views in the park from the top of the challenging Mount Riley Trail. If you're in the mood for a more low-key adventure, the visitor center also has spectacular views; try using the telescopes to search for bears on the opposite shore. Launch your boat from the park's boat ramp to explore the Chilkat Inlet, or bring a fishing rod and cast for salmon from the rocks along the water.
Hiking
There are three trails in Chilkat State Park. The easy one is Seduction Point Trail, which is a 14-mile round trip on flat ground. Battery Point Trail is just four miles round trip, but it's a little hillier than the Seduction Point Trail. The tough trail is called Mount Riley Trail, and it's a 10.2-mile round trip. It climbs nearly 1,500 feet, but the stunning views of the park below from the summit are worth the effort.
Stargazing
In the middle of a fjord with near zero light pollution the stargazing at Chilkat State Park is fantastic. You can set up your telescope on one of the picnic tables or head to the water's edge with an evening snack and experience Alaska's amazingly clear sky.
Climbing
There are four climbing routes in Chilkat State Park, ranging from 5.7 to 5.9+ in difficulty. These are intermediate to advanced routes, so you should be at least moderately experienced to attempt them.
Flora and Fauna
On land, you will see everything from grizzly bears to caribou, while the aquatic wildlife includes killer whales, sea lions, and sea otters. During hikes, you will wind through spruce, pine, and cedar trees. In spring and summer, many wildflowers dot the landscape including huckleberry, laurels, and azaleas.
Fishing
Although there are other fish to chase in the Chilkat Inlet, the salmon is king. Five species populate the waters, and these are coho, sockeye, chum, chinook, and pink. Every June, the annual salmon run takes place as they return to spawn. You can fish from your boat, or you can pick a spot to set up on shore. Remember, though, that if you fish one of the nearby streams, grizzlies and other bears will likely join you. So, it's a good idea to brush up on your bear encounter tactics.
Boating
You can either set out from the boat launch or just take your kayak or canoe to the beach to disembark. Near Chilkat State Park, the water can be as smooth as glass, which makes for not only great boating but also fine opportunities for photographs. If you have the right boat for it, then you can take a trip to Juneau, which is the only United States capital city where you have to go by either watercraft or plane.
How to Get to
Chilkat State Park
There is only one road into Chilkat State Park, and that's the Route 7 branch of the Alaska Highway. The nearest population center of any size is Anchorage, which is 764 miles away by road. If you plan to visit any time other than late spring or through the summer, remember to check the weather for snowfall. The average annual snowfall for the area between Anchorage and Chilkat State Park is more than 11 feet.
From Anchorage, follow the Alaska Highway east to Haines Junction in the Yukon Territory. Then, turn south on Route 3, which becomes Route 7 when you re-enter the United States. It goes all the way to Chilkat State Park. Alternatively, you can take the Alaska State Ferry. Ferry tickets are sold out up to a year in advance, so plan accordingly.
Entering Chilkat State Park
Once you arrive there is a large parking lot near the entrance. There is no entrance fee or charge for parking at this state park.
Chilkat State Park Per Vehicle : $0.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Chilkat State Park
The park is open every day of the year, but the best time to visit is during the spring salmon run. Summer is good, too, because the mild temperatures make hiking a breeze.
At this park, you may see bears, caribou, and wolves. If exploring near the ocean you may also spot killer whales, sea lions, and sea otters.
Yes, there are 35 RV-specific campsites in Chilkat State Park. None of these has hookups. However, each features a fire ring and picnic table.
Yes, you must make reservations. You can do so up to seven months in advance. If you plan to travel by ferry, remember to make the ferry reservation far earlier than the campground reservation. The campground costs $20 per night.
Yes, you may bring your pets to Chilkat State Park. You must keep them leashed when they're not in your RV or in a tent. That leash must be no more than six feet long, and you are expected to clean up after your furry family members.
Related
McCarr, Kentucky RV Rental Deals Lebanon, Maine RV Rentals Quechee, Vermont RV Rentals Millbury, Ohio RV Rental Deals Hopedale, Illinois RV Rentals Lake Lucerne, Florida RV Rentals Nellis AFB, Nevada RV Rental Deals Bourbon, Missouri RV Rental Deals Rosebud, Missouri RV Rental Deals Abbotsford, Wisconsin RV Rental Deals