We begin our project work in Juneau, headquarters for the Juneau Ranger District of Tongass National Forest, the nation’s largest national forest and home of the spectacular Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. There we will participate in volunteer projects under the direction of the U.S. Forest Service.

Welcome to Alaska – it’s big! Mendenhall Glacier is one of the top three visitor destinations in Alaska and is much loved. Use and weather take their toll on these trails, and our project work 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. With approximately 8,000 inhabitants during the Gold Rush in the late 1800’s, the Dyea town site was once a bustling city. But after the White Pass and Yukon Railroad was constructed from Skagway through White Pass, Skagway became the community that endured and Dyea was largely abandoned. 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.

Because local conditions and the land managers needs continually evolve, please remember that detailed project plans are often finalized or revised after the group arrives and the trip leaders review the conditions at the site in light of the capabilities and special interests of the volunteers. Volunteer Trips offer the opportunity to experience the land in a unique way not available to the average tourist.

No prior trail maintenance experience is required, and training is provided. Project tasks will vary during the 8 days of trail work. You should be able to hike with a day pack, 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 and greet on the beautiful University of Alaska Southeast Campus, where the volunteers 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 first volunteer project day. The project 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 (emphasis on “View!”) of the Mendenhall Glacier. 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 Bed and Breakfast which will be our home for the next five nights. All meals and lodging included.

Days 7 thru 11: Volunteer Projects in Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park.

We will spend four days working on projects in Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. The project work will primarily be working on maintenance projects on the Chilkoot Trail. Each afternoon we will head back to the Chilkoot Trail Outpost to freshen up and relax before dinner. Or you may want to use one of the Outpost’s bicycles to tour the area.  All meals and lodging included.

We will also take 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 12: 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 2:00 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.

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.

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 weather and terrain conditions and changes in the ferry and catamaran schedules. Project locations may vary with each volunteer trip according to the needs of the park at the time the trip takes place.

$3,895 for twelve days
(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 lunch on Day 12
• 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
• any COVID-19 testing required by 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: 8 – 12 plus trip leaders

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 2022
June 2021
June 2019
May 2018
June 2017
July 2016

Also, visit the Impact Summary page and see the difference volunteers make!

ConservationVIP has always focused on our volunteers’ safety. The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened that focus. Traveling with COVID-19 safety concerns requires some extra planning and flexibility both for trip leaders and trip participants!

Because of continuing COVID concerns, we are restricting participation on this trip to people who have received their COVID-19 vaccinations. Participants will also have to comply with the regulations established by the State of Alaska for travelers from outside Alaska and with any local regulations imposed.

While on the trip, participants will also have to follow procedures such as mask wearing and social distancing. More specific COVID related safety instructions will be provided to those registered for the trip.