11-day Alaska Volunteer Trip
Experience the real Alaska!
Our Alaska Volunteer Trip offers you an appreciation for the real Alaska as you experience the land in a unique way not available to the average tourist.
Our first stop is in Juneau, headquarters for the nation’s largest national forest, Tongass National Forest. It is also home to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. 
What a spectacular backdrop for our conservation projects!
Next, we head north 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.
Experience the allure of this big land known for its vast forests, spectacular glaciers, and exciting wildlife sightings. Traveling with a nonprofit is a great way to experience Alaska. ConservationVIP® is pleased to offer this wonderful opportunity to both see and support Alaska’s great outdoors.
Conservation activities | Itinerary | Price | TRIP REVIEWS | Trip Reports | Safety
We are sorry you missed our June 2026 trip. Click on the button below and let us know if you want to receive an alert when the 2027 trip dates are available.
Conservation Activities
Alaska is big, and its Public Lands are calling for help! Travelers on this Alaska Volunteer Trip provide much needed conservation help at two classic Alaska sites, Juneau and Skagway. Both of these destinations are challenged by heavily visitation from tourists.
Juneau
Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area in Juneau is one of the top three visitor destinations in Alaska. Both visitors on the trails and the weather take their toll on these trails. Our conservation activities involve restoration of trail tread and alignment, erosion control, and vegetation management. In Juneau we help on trail maintenance projects under the direction of the U.S. Forest Service.
Skagway
Our next conservation 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. Later, 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. The nearby Chilkoot trail draws hikers who want to see the route experienced by the early gold miners.
Is this Trip Right for You?
No prior trail maintenance experience is required because training is provided. However, to safely enjoy this trip, 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 the activities are in locations with the potential for bear encounters – primarily black bears – your safety training will address working in bear country. Safety is our priority.
Itinerary | Price | TRIP REVIEWS | Trip Reports | Safety
Alaska Volunteer Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Meet in Juneau Alaska
Your Alaska trip begins on the beautiful University of Alaska Southeast Campus with views of the Mendenhall Glacier. This University is where we will be lodged for the five nights we are in Juneau.
We will start with an orientation meeting at 5:00 p.m. During this orientation, you will meet your ConservationVIP trip leaders and fellow travelers. Additionally, you will get an overview of the adventure ahead. 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: Conservation activities in and around Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area
Following breakfast, we meet our U.S. Forest Service partners. First, we will conduct a safety session, then start our conservation activities. The projects may include trail naturalization, including deconstructing a boardwalk. Other typical trail maintenance activities are 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. (All meals 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. This is the deepest fjord in North America, with a depth of over 2,000 feet. 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 and then take a drive-through orientation tour of Skagway.
Next, we 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 – 10: Conservation Activities 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 activities will primarily involve trail maintenance 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.)
Time to rest and explore
We will 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! Travelers wishing to stay longer in Juneau should make their own reservations at local hotels. (Breakfast included.)
IMPORTANT NOTES about the Itinerary
- Most important, you should plan to arrive at the meeting point for the trip on time on Day 1. This may require departing your hometown one or more days in advance and traveling on an overnight flight.
- Second, before purchasing your airline tickets, please check with us to ensure the trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate.
- Finally, while we do our very best to adhere to the itinerary above, it is subject to change for reasons beyond our control, including changes in the local project needs, weather, and terrain conditions.
Price | TRIP REVIEWS | Trip Reports | Safety
Alaska Volunteer Trip Price
US$3,995 for eleven days (single supplement $1,000 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:
- ConservationVIP trip leadership and support staff
- Meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on the final day
- Lodging
- Van, boat and train transportation as noted on the itinerary
- Transportation to project sites
- Park entrance fees
- Gratuities for services provided to the group
- 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
Payment and Refund Policy
A deposit of $500 per person is required at the time of signup. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. The payment and refund policy can be found here.
Group Size: 9 – 12 plus trip leaders
Trip Reviews for ConservationVIP’s Alaska Volunteer Trip
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This was my fourth trip with CVIP and another meaningful experience. I've enjoyed " traveling with a purpose" with this organization. Working with the US Forest service near Juneau was the best part of our work for me. The difference we made on the trail at Point Louisa was commented on by a few locals before I left Juneau. It felt great to be recognized for our hard work by someone other than our work partners!
The Chilkoot trail work was another enjoyable project and we were able to hike a fair number of miles and experience that area of Alaska.
The dorm rooms at UAS were a nice place to stay (except for the hard mattresses) and the campus is pretty. The cabins near the Chilkoot Trail were great and their breakfasts and dinners were very good. Seeing whales on the ferry back from Skagway was another highlight. We did a lot of hard work and it was worth it!
WOW! What an amazing experience I had with C-VIP in Alaska ! I loved every day of the journey! This trip was extremely well organized. Our group leader, Susan, and co-leader, Becky, were fantastic! They kept us moving with a good schedule, balanced with meaningful project work as well as vacation-type activities. Big Thank You to you two! Alaska, the "workplace" scenery was breathtaking! Feeling the serenity of Point Louisa while picking up golf-ball sized rocks which were used to build the foundation for a new walking trail; breathing in the comfort of the forest while lopping overgrown branches on Powerline Trail, and pulling a drawknife to peel the bark off of a 24' spruce log which will be used in the restoration of the historic Patterson-McDermott cabin in KGRNHP, Dyea, and tasting delicious homecooked meals at Chilkoot Outpost, all contributed to this trip being a total sensory experience. It's difficult to state exactly what my favorite part was, the majestic scenery or meeting and working with incredible people, but I can say, I will sign up again!
If you are trying to decide if a C-VIP trip is right for you, read all of the previous Trip Reports, Trip Reviews, etc. If you are an avid hiker, you are already in shape. If you're not, then get in shape. Strengthen your core, get on the local trails (or treadmill, crank up the grade) and follow the written advice of the C-VIP instructions. Yes, it sure would have helped to have had long legs on the Chilkoot Trail Saintly Hill! (I'm only 4'10" but I made it! -- Haha! ) Pick a place you're curious to visit, and SIGN UP! I haven't even unpacked my suitcase yet, and I'm already thinking about which C-VIP trip to sign up for next!
To all of my "NEW FRIENDS" from the 2026 Alaska C-VIP, I really enjoyed meeting and working with you all. I wish you the best! Stay well! See you again! ~Murph
This trip was wonderful! Good communications throughout, all logistics completely taken care of by the company and guides, comfortable lodging and delicious food everyday. I could not ask for better team leaders - Susan and Becky are top notch. They pitched in and worked along side us and encouraged us when we were tired. My teammates were all energetic and enthusiastic about the jobs and tasks we were given. The beauty of Alaska and the ability to contribute to the stewardship of its natural resources was the icing on the cake! I’ll definitely travel with Conservation VIP again.
It was a wonderful trip with very welcoming leaders. We were able to work on some projects that felt useful, and to learn and see a number of things in Juneau and Skagway. We were definitely well fed!
Susan and Becky were wonderful lead and co-lead. The accomodations were great. The project in Juneau was great, creating a new trail path in Point Louisa was very satisfying, as a team we were able to contribute and finish the objective of the Forest Service. The second half of the trip was riding on a ferry to Skagway. As a future suggestion, landing in Skagway should be extended to see the city versus hurrying to go to Dyea. The leads could take our luggage to the Trading Post cabins and secure our cabins and pick us up later in day in Skagway. By doing so, the day off could be removed. The day off logistically makes it hard for the volunteers to see Skagway. Suggest using the catamaran for both coming and going back which would allow additional time to enjoy the sights. More projects other than lopping would great. Overall the trip met my expectations.
since i appear to be one of the last in our group to check in....thank you to all of my fellow volunteers who have already posted a trip review--generously sharing your enthusiasm and impressions of our cvip volunteer trip to Alaska. clearly, virtually all of us seem to agree that this was an exceptional adventure and work trip that will stay with us for some time. kudos to susan and max our trip leaders for their meticulous and thoughtful planning--literally leaving no stone unturned. it's worth noting, too, that cvip's ongoing collaboration with the USFS (Juneau) and NPS (SKagway) during the past several years has been a tremendous boon for all parties. the USFS and NPS seem to appreciate partners like cvip, especially now. the trail crews that we worked with in both locations were amazing--gracious, knowledgeable, and welcoming. if you are wondering if this trip may be a good fit for you, the trip reviews and trip reports may be helpful.
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!
Gear List for Alaska Volunteer Trip
The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip like the Alaska Volunteer 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 Alaska gear list has been created to help you in choosing your equipment for the trip. View the Gear List.
Alaska Volunteer Trip Reports
Click links below to read ConservationVIP’s Alaska Trip Reports.
2025 June
2024 June
2023 June
2022 June
2021 June
2019 June
2018 May
2017 June
2016 July
Also, visit the Impact Summary page and see the difference volunteers make!
Safety is our Priority
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!
Match Your Abilities with the Trip
To safely enjoy the trip, choose a trip which suits your abilities. For this trip, 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
Follow Trip Leader’s Instructions
In addition, to prevent injury or illness on the trip, travelers will need to follow the trip leader’s instructions. Site-specific procedures and other safety instructions will be provided on the trip.
Medical Advice
Please check with your doctor to see if any immunizations are recommended for you.
Comply with other Travel Restrictions
Finally, you will also have to comply with any restrictions imposed by Alaska and your 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 are ready to experience more of Alaska, then 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 freshwater 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.