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Volunteer in Alaska!
Experience the allure of this big land known for its vast forests, spectacular glaciers, and exciting wildlife sightings. Alaska is big, and its Public Lands are calling for help!!
Our Alaska Volunteer Trip begins in Juneau, home of the nation’s largest national forest and the spectacular Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. 
Then we head northward to Skagway, on a ferry through the deepest fjord in North America.
In Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, we help with projects on the Chilkoot Trail, the historic route that led to the gold fields of the Yukon and Dawson City.
On our final day, we will whale watch and gaze at glaciers on the return catamaran ride to Juneau, where the journey ends.
Our June 2025 trip is now complete. If you want to be notified when our next volunteer trip to Alaska is available, please click on the button below:
Volunteer Trips offer the opportunity to experience the land in a unique way not available to the average tourist.
We start in Juneau, headquarters for the Juneau Ranger District of Tongass National Forest, the nation’s largest national forest where we volunteer under the direction of the U.S. Forest Service.
Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area is one of the top three visitor destinations in Alaska and is much loved. Use and weather take their toll on these trails. Our volunteer projects will involve restoration of trail tread and alignment, erosion control, and vegetation management.
Our second project site is in the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park near Skagway, Alaska. During the Gold Rush in the late 1800’s, the Dyea town site was once a bustling city. But after the railroad was constructed from Skagway through White Pass, Dyea was largely abandoned while Skagway endured. Today Dyea still piques the curiosity and imagination of visitors who seek out this remote location while the Chilkoot trail draws hikers who want to see the route experienced by the early gold miners.
No prior trail maintenance experience is required, and training is provided. Project tasks will vary during the 7 days of trail work. You should be able to hike up and down hill with a day pack and tools, move soil or rock with a shovel, pull unwanted vegetation, or carry stones or lumber. 
Because all projects are in locations with the potential for bear encounters (primarily black bears), your safety training will address working in bear country. As always, your safety is our priority.
Day 1: Meet in Juneau Alaska for orientation and enjoy a welcome dinner.
Our volunteer trip begins today at 5:00 p.m. when we meet on the beautiful University of Alaska Southeast Campus with views of the Mendenhall Glacier, where we will be lodged for the five nights we are in Juneau. In the evening, we will share an informal welcome dinner as we transition into Alaska, the land of the midnight sun. Dinner and lodging included.
Days 2 – 5: Volunteer projects in the area in surrounding the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area and nearby sites.
Following breakfast, we will meet our U.S. Forest Service partners, conduct a safety session, and start our volunteer projects. The projects may include trail naturalization, including deconstructing a boardwalk, and other typical trail maintenance activities such as clearing and brushing. During this time, we will also visit the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center for an overview of Mendenhall Glacier and the roaring Nugget Falls. Breakfast, box lunch, dinner and lodging included.
Day 6: Ferry through the Inside Passage to Skagway; check in at Chilkoot Trail Outpost.
Today we will travel to Skagway via ferry on the Alaska Marine Highway through Lynn Canal. With a depth of over 2,000 feet, this is the deepest fjord in North America. At 90 miles long, it is also the longest in the world. When we arrive in Skagway, we will stop at the Park’s visitor center, take a drive-through orientation tour of Skagway and then head seven miles out of Skagway to the historic town site of Dyea. 
There we will check into the Chilkoot Trail Outpost, a rustic lodge which will be our home for the next five nights. All meals and lodging included.
Days 7 thru 10: Volunteer Projects in Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park.
We will spend three days volunteering on projects in Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park under the direction of the National Park Service. The projects work will primarily be maintenance projects on or near the Chilkoot Trail. Each afternoon we will head back to the Chilkoot Trail Outpost to freshen up and relax before dinner. All meals and lodging included.
We will also have a rest day on Sunday, when we will catch a ride on the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railway. Built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, this narrow-gauge railroad is an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. The route climbs nearly 3,000 feet in 20 miles of steep grades, cliffhanging turns, two tunnels and numerous trestles while showcasing stunning mountain views, gorges, glaciers and waterfalls. All meals and lodging included.
Day 11: Back to Juneau on a catamaran through the Inside Passage.
After an early breakfast we will catch an Alaska Fjordlines catamaran from Skagway to Juneau, where the Alaska Volunteer Trip ends. We expect to arrive in Juneau by noon, but if you plan on flying home that day, it is best not to schedule a flight before 1:00 P.M., because our boat will slow to enjoy any wildlife sightings! Volunteers wishing to stay longer in Juneau should make their own reservations at local hotels. Breakfast included.
Notes on Itinerary
Day 1 is the day you should plan to arrive at the meeting point for the trip. This may require departing your hometown one or more days in advance and traveling on an overnight flight.
Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule above, the itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, including changes in the local project needs, weather, and terrain conditions.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING AIR TRAVEL: Before purchasing your airline tickets, please check with us to ensure the trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate.
US$3,895 for eleven days (single supplement $1,050 subject to availability)
(Note: Your trip expense may be tax-deductible. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions page and consult your tax adviser for details.)
Price includes:
- all meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 11
- all lodging
- all van, boat and train transportation as noted on the itinerary
- transportation to project sites
- park entrance fees
- gratuities for services provided to the group
- project leadership and support staff
- group tools
- orientation and training
Price does not include:
- travel costs to and from Juneau, Alaska
- medical immunizations
- insurance (emergency medical and evacuation insurance is mandatory for this trip)
- excess baggage charges
- alcoholic beverages or soft drinks
- personal items
Deposit and Cancellation
A deposit of $500 per person is required at the time of signup; final payment is due at 90 days prior to departure. The payment and refund policy can be found here.
Group Size: 9 – 12 plus trip leaders
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It has been a week since I have returned home from Alaska, and I miss it! We had great weather, challenging work, beautiful scenery, and a wonderful, friendly group. Our leaders, Susan and Max, made it a point to be sure that we had what we needed to enjoy our trip, to keep us informed, and to be safe and comfortable. The local crews that we worked with at both Mendenhall Glacier and on the Chilkoot trail expressed their appreciation for our work. We were able to get enough done that I felt like we did indeed make a difference.
The trip to Juneau and Skagway Alaska June 2025 was certainly exceptional, fun, motivating and gave purpose to being able to help conserve, and maintain trails within the National Parks, such as Mendenhall Glacier and the Chilkoot trail.
Our trip leaders, Susan and Max, were spot on and provided timely info with regard to transportation, lodging and eating. And did we eat! From delicious pizza to a salmon bake, it was all good. And special diets were also taken care of too.
If one is looking for a challenging but fun trip, please consider Conservation Volunteers International Program for your next trip. It’s a great way to see the world!
The trip to Alaska went above and beyond my expectations.
This was my first trip with Conservation VIPs and it was a great way to experience Alaska, with like minded people and to give back, while enjoying sightseeing away from all the tourists.
Everything was organized for us, making the trip easier for us to relax and enjoy.
Alaska is a stunning place to visit. The scenery was beautiful-mountains, lakes, waterfalls, glaciers etc- and we were fortunate to see a range of wildlife -bears, whales, eagles, seals etc. That in itself was magical.
The work we did on the trails was challenging, demanding and so much fun. We fixed trails, made a bridge, cleared vegetation, cleared drains and rerouted a trail. We were able to use lots of different tools, learn new skills and could see the difference we made. Tourists and guides were really appreciative and would stop and thank us for our efforts. This made it more rewarding. The Forestry and National Parks Service teams were amazing and made us feel like part of the team. They were patient and supportive and shared their knowledge of the land.
Our leaders Susan and Max were exceptional and made the trip what it was. They are kind, supportive, encouraging and caring and made sure we were happy and safe. They planned lots of fun activities for us to do around the work schedule and were happy to do extra trips in the evenings. They are both a fountain of knowledge and provided lots of information about Juneau and Skagway.
Elizabeth (on the admin team) was also fantastic and happy to answer any questions and gave all necessary information.
Travel, accomodations and food was all organized and we ate so much good, local food.
I enjoyed every minute of my trip and had a truly magical adventure in Alaska. I highly recommend this trip and Conservation VIP.
If you are looking at this trip and thinking that you might like to experience Alaska this unique way, do not hesitate to book it!
Alaska was my fourth ConservationVIP destination, and this trip will always have a special place in my heart. Susan and Max are wonderful leaders who kept everything organized, productive, and fun! I appreciated their guidance and friendship throughout the trip. Our work with the US Forest Service and the National Park Service was meaningful, and our leaders from both organizations were so personable and generous with their time and knowledge. Hikers and excursion leaders thanked us for the trail improvements we made. It was so rewarding to see the positive results of our work days and to know how appreciated our work was.
Outside of work time, Susan and Max ensured that we were able to have a full Alaskan experience. From peaceful meadow walks, to hikes to waterfalls, a local salmon bake, an incredibly scenic train ride, and much more, I enjoyed every minute. Pictures can’t adequately capture the beauty of the Alaskan landscape, or the wonder of all the wildlife we saw.
Thanks to Susan, Max, and my fellow volunteers for an amazing 11 days. I highly recommend this trip!
This trip allows the ability to give back to the outdoor community through trail & public land work while also seeing & enjoying many sites & activities around & behind many of the heavily trafficked tourist attractions.
The Alaska trip met every expectation and then some. Project work was fulfilling, challenging and safe. Opportunities to experience Juneau and Skagway/Dyea surroundings were wide-ranging, unique and fun. A trip to Sealaska Heritage in Juneau was a highlight. Susan and Max made it look easy as they coordinated the group's activities and needs with care and patience. In particular, their attention to dietary needs was exceptional. If you are looking for a chance to give back, challenge yourself, see the beauty of Alaska up close, and meet inspiring like-minded folks, I highly recommend this trip and Conservation VIP.
I can't say enough about our trip guides, the accommodations, the food, and the projects. Our organizers, Susan and Max, insured everyone's safety, enjoyment, and feeling of accomplishment. They shared their enthusiasm for Alaska and facilitated contact with experts that gave us an insiders view of southeast Alaska. Alaska will call you back again and again.
This trip to Alaska was a life changing experience for both my daughter and I. The work we did felt truly impactful, meaningful, and greatly appreciated by everyone we encountered, there was no fluff work here! The work days were long, but we could see the progress we made as a group and it drove us to keep going and to give it our all. Nearly all of the fellow volunteers had travelled with C-VIP before, and I think this speaks volumes of the commitment level and dedication of the people involved in this organization. One trip and you become a groupie, singing its praises to everyone you meet!!! I was already checking dates on the flight home for my next trip with C-VIP. The incredible Alaskan scenery reminded us to look up, breathe, and take in the majesty of the woods and mountains. This trip was such a beautiful balance of work and play, we got to linger and take in the sights, absorbing the Alaskan nature from a very different perspective than could ever be gathered from a cruise expedition. The forestry workers, the local volunteers and our group leaders Susan and Max gave us an insight into their world, and we felt an instant connection through our combined love of this land. Susan and Max were so kind and attentive, always checking in and making sure our needs were met, and they were wonderful at providing optional activities for the group to choose from in the evenings. It is extremely difficult to navigate the needs and desires of a group of practical strangers, but through their engagement and encouragement, we all left as family. Group travel can be intimidating if you are used to setting your own plans and pace, but I felt instantly at ease and amongst friends after our first dinner together. I am eternally grateful for this experience, and I cannot wait to attend another trip!!
The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. The gear list has been created to help you in choosing your equipment for the trip. View the Gear List PDF.
Click to view the PDF Trip Reports.
June 2024
June 2023
June 2022
June 2021
June 2019
May 2018
June 2017
July 2016
Also, visit the Impact Summary page and see the difference volunteers make!
Please check with your doctor to see if any immunizations are recommended for you.
ConservationVIP has always focused on our volunteers’ safety. Traveling with safety concerns requires some extra planning and flexibility both for trip leaders and trip participants!
To prevent illness or injury on the trip, participants may have to follow procedures such as mask-wearing, social distancing, methods for carrying and using tools and other site-specific procedures as instructed by the trip leader. More specific safety instructions will be provided on the trip.
Participants will also have to comply with any restrictions imposed by Alaska and their country of origin at the time of travel. While we know that the restrictions may change between now and the time of travel, we cannot predict what those changes will be.
About Alaska
If you’re ready to experience more of Alaska, a great place to start your planning is the official State of Alaska travel site. You can find a myriad of adventure activities like helicopter landing tours or dog sledding on the Juneau Ice Fields, salt or fresh water fishing, whale watching, guided hiking, biking, or brewery tours, zip line adventures, bear and wildlife viewing, kayaking or rafting – you name it! Or explore the arts, unique Native culture, and history of Alaska through the many avenues of cultural and historical museums, totem parks, and heritage centers.
Related Travel Information
Arriving early or staying late in Juneau? If you are a fan of wildlife viewing or wildlife photography, you might want to visit the brown bear viewing site at Pack Creek on Admiralty Island. ConservationVIP has a video of a brown bear fishing for salmon at Pack Creek on our YouTube channel.