Travel Explore Enjoy

Skagway is a dense city along the popular cruise route, the Inside Passage, Alaska. The Skagway district has a historical past and looks like a Hollywood movie set with about 100 buildings from the gold rush era. During the Klondike Gold rush, many prospectors from all over the world stampeded and came through Skagway on their way to the Klondike Valley to find gold. The most popular tour, White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad/Motor tour gives you the best picture of the overall history of Skagway during the Gold Rush and also offers magnificent views.

These photos are from our visit to Skagway during the last week of August, 2013.

Quick Facts and Tips

• Best time to visit: June to September
  • June – August: The weather is mild, the days are long, perfect for exploring the stunning landscapes.
  • May and September: Considered as shoulder seasons, cooler temperature, fewer crowds, and the scenery is still beautiful.
• Port of Call or Fly Into: Skagway, Alaska
• Clothing
  • It is cool, so plan to dress in layers. Comfortable jeans, hiking shorts, T-shirts, warm jackets, scarfs, coats, caps, gloves, comfortable walking/hiking shoes/Snow boots.
• What to Expect
  • Glacier, Snow-capped mountains, Craggy Mountains, Fjords, Rushing Waterfalls, Sparkling Lakes, Valleys, Wildlife, Gorges, Tunnels, Historic Gold Rush sites.
• Skagway’s Official Website: Explore Skagway
• Be sure to dress in layers, as the weather in Skagway can change quickly. Even in summer, it can be cool and rainy.
• Wear comfortable shoes. The Skagway town is very small and walkable. If you have enough time, don’t hesitate to explore nearby hiking trails.
• Pack a fully charged camera, extra batteries, and memory cards.
• Be aware of the crowds, especially if you are visiting Skagway on a cruise ship day.
• Best Things to do
  • Ride the rails of history on the narrow-gauge White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, following the Klondike Gold Rush path from Skagway, Alaska to Whitehorse, Yukon. 
  • Walk around Skagway city
  • Visit Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and check your luck with Gold panning
  • Embark on Skagway’s scenic railway for the White Pass Summit Excursion. Enjoy vast canyon views and a narrated tour to the summit.
  • Explore local landmarks, including the White Pass & Yukon Railroad route, Pitchfork Falls, and more.
  • Explore other attractions like the Trail of 98 Museum,  Gold Rush Cemetery, Skagway City Overlook, and more. More info here.
  • Take a Bus/Motor Coach/Jeep Tour to White Pass Summit and Yukon Suspension Bridge. Choose wisely and explore breathtaking landscapes on your perfect adventure.
  • Do Skagway Dog Sledding and Glacier Flightseeing Tour
  • Take a Skagway Street Car City Tour with a storyteller
  • Take a Chilkoot Lake Tour to watch wildlife
  • Float along the Taiya River