A popular cruise port, Skagway has a fascinating history. Cruisers who stop in Skagway will find a town brimming with gold rush history, unique culture, and amazing opportunities for enjoying the state’s renowned natural beauty.
Skagway is the northernmost point in Alaska’s Inside Passage, at the far end of Lynn Canal. Once the boomtown gateway to the Trail of ’98 and the Klondike gold fields, the population has now dwindled about 1,000 year-round citizens. In the summer, those numbers increase dramatically with over 1 Million cruise passengers visiting each season.
Prior to 1896, Skagway was a Tlingit hunting and fishing area. In 1896, gold was discovered on a tributary of the Klondike River, about 600 miles from Skagway. After the Klondike gold rush began, the population of Skagway boomed to between 8,000 and 10,000. Many of the original buildings still exist, along with a raised wooden walkway. On June 28, 1900, Skagway became the first incorporated city of Alaska, beating Juneau by ONE day!
Most cruise ships arriving in Skagway will dock at one of three locations right on the edge of town: Ore Dock, Railroad Dock or Broadway Dock. Railroad dock has been affected by rock slides the past few years. If your ship docks there, you may have to take a tender to shore, as the farthest end of the pier is not safe.
What You Need to Know About Skagway Cruise Port
The city of Skagway is within easy walking distance of the cruise port. There are many shore excursions to choose from, including the popular and historic White Pass Trail, that are accessible to cruise passengers. If you have not pre-booked, there will be vendors available onshore.
Currency
Although close to Canada, Skagway is located in Alaska (USA). The official currency is the USD (United States Dollar).
Businesses in Skagway will accept cash, credit and debit cards.
Language
In Alaska, you might hear some unusual vernacular including “Lower 48” (the 48 contiguous United States), “break-up” (spring time when ice and snow finally melt) and “cheechako” (a newcomer), but the primary language is English.
Time Zone
Most of Alaska (including Skagway) is within the Alaska Standard Time Zone. Alaska Standard Time Zone is one hour behind Pacific Time and four hours behind the Eastern Time Zone.
Weather
Weather in Skagway will range from the 40s to the low 60s during Alaska cruise season. Skagway has the driest climate of any of the Southeast passage port towns, which means you will probably enjoy sunny weather during your visit. That being said, one of the wettest days I’ve had in Alaska was in Skagway. It was POURING! Also, due to the location at the end of the Lynn Canal and the configuration of the valley, Skagway tends to be windy.
Tip: When considering what to wear on your Alaska cruise, dressing in layers is always a good idea. Mornings will start off cool, but the weather can warm up significantly later in the day.
Getting Around Town
It is very easy for cruisers to get around Skagway on foot. It’s only a short walk from the dock to downtown Skagway and the terrain is flat. Be careful of the elevated wooden walkways….it can be easy to trip on them if you aren’t looking. Overall, this city is very walkable.
Public Transportation
The Skagway Municipal And Regional Transit (SMART) offers a SMART shuttle bus. Their “Dock to Downtown” Loop runs every 15 minutes during cruise season.
An all-day SMART bus pass costs $5 per person or you can pay $3 per person for a one-way pass.
Car Rentals
There aren’t many car rental options in this small town. DIY Jeep Tours is one innovative option that combines a rental car with a built-in tour guide. Each rental includes a CD that will give you mile-by-mile guide explaining historic and scenic spots.
Other places to look for car rental are Expedia and Avis. Be sure to reserve your car as early as possible…there is a limited supply.
In 2018, we rented a car for the day and made the trip on the Klondike Highway heading to the Yukon. There really isn’t any need to worry about getting lost…there is only one real road in and out of Skagway. Be sure to take your passports with you if you plan to cross into Canada!
We made several stops along the way to enjoy the scenery and to stretch our legs. The driving was very easy, but there was some construction along the way, which slowed us down a little. Keep an eye on the time…you don’t want to miss the “all aboard”!
Top Skagway Shore Excursions
There are many activities to choose from in Skagway, but several of my favorites are the White Pass train, horseback riding, hiking and just wandering the town.
White Pass and Yukon Route Railway
Probably the #1 thing to do in Skagway is to take the White Pass train. The White Pass and Yukon Route opened on August 1, 1900 and is a narrow gauge railroad linking the port of Skagway, Alaska with Whitehorse, the capital of Yukon. It is an isolated system and has no direct connection to any other railroad.
Recognized as an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, the train gains nearly 3,000 feet over 20 miles, and engineers faced harsh weather conditions and difficult terrain to make it happen. This honor is awarded to engineering feats like the Panama Canal, the Eiffel Tower, and the Statue of Liberty.
This breathtaking train ride will take you on the White Pass Summit route that gold miners took in 1898. You will see glaciers, waterfalls, mountains and even signs of the original Klondike trail worn into rocks.
The train ride lasts from 2.5-2.75 hours and goes 40 miles round trip. You do not need your passport to ride the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway (I recommend taking it just in case). Be sure to bring your camera!
If this is your first Alaska cruise, the White Rail Pass is a shore excursion to definitely consider.
Visit Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
To learn more about the history of Skagway, just a short walk from your cruise ship, you’ll find the Klondike Gold Rush visitor center and museum. You can watch presentations from rangers and explore exhibits that help you retrace the history and experience of the Gold Rush. If museums are your thing, you can also visit a historic home and a parlor museum in town, including the J. Bernard Moore House. Originally built by the city’s founder, William Moore, it now has been returned to its 1904 glory and is furnished with many original family possessions to give you a true sense of what life was like in an Alaska gold rush town.
Authorized in 1976, the park is dedicated to the history of the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897–98. The park is made up of four units, including a business district in Skagway, two historical routes—the Chilkoot and White Pass trails—and a visitor center in Seattle, Washington.
The park’s visitor center in Skagway is a great place to begin exploring the area’s gold rush history. Housed in an 1898 railroad depot, it showcases exhibits that educate visitors about the gold rush that led to modern-day Skagway. Take part in one of the many free activities like film screenings, ranger presentations, and guided walking tours.
Visit the Red Onion Saloon
A visit to Skagway is not complete without a stop at the historic Red Onion Saloon. You can easily find the building on the corner of 2nd & Broadway. It is always a favorite with both visitors and locals. The saloon was built in 1897 during the height of the Gold Rush, and operated as one of the finest Bordellos in town. Even though the times have changed, the spirit has not. A visit to Red Onion Saloon is the perfect Skagway Excursion to complement your Alaskan cruise.
Hiking
Another popular activity in Skagway is hiking There are numerous trails both long and short. The Chilkoot Trail, “the world’s longest outdoor museum” is the beginning of the route to the Yukon Goldfields. It provides a thrilling 33 miles of spectacular hiking from tidewater at Dyea to Bennett Lake in Canada (17 trail miles in US; 16 miles in Canada). This is by far the most challenging endeavor you can partake in, but also the most rewarding. If you are considering this adventure , visit the Trail Center on Broadway, between 5th and 6th Avenues, which is open from May to September.
Another option is to hike to Lower Dewey Lake. It’s a little less than a mile to get to the trailhead frown downtown, and then 3.6 miles around the lake.
The trail starts out with an uphill climb, but quickly evens out and becomes a leisurely loop. Chances are good that you’ll spot some wildlife as you experience peace and quiet.
Plan to spend 2-3.5 hours on this hike, depending on your speed.
Horseback Riding
I have been horse backing riding in many locations across the USA and Skagway was probably the most beautiful. The horses are well cared for and the trails took us through the forests and open meadows just outside of Skagway.
Float the Taiya River
Want to experience Alaskan outdoors and wildlife? A Taiya River Float Trip is an excellent choice. Float past the ice-capped peaks, glacial lakes, and lush forests of the Taiya River on a 2.5-hour scenic rafting cruise. Along the way, learn about the region’s Gold Rush history, spot wildlife in the Dyea Valley, and see the starting point of the historic Chilkoot Trail.
Because this river is fed by glacier water, it has a gorgeous green-turquise color. Bits of rock called “glacial flour” reflect sunlight, resulting in a beautiful and unusual color.
There is a good chance you will see Alaskan wildlife including bald eagles, otters, moose, and potentially bears.
Rainforest Cycling Trip
Southeast Alaska is home to the nation’s largest rainforest. You can experience the beauty of a temperate rainforest by biking.
Discover the highlights of Skagway and its nearby surroundings on an electric bike tour. Join a small group and pedal around Skagway listening to stories about the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush and the beginnings of the community. Observe artifacts at the local museum and pan for gold, just like the miners once did, to see if you can strike it rich.
Go Ocean Rafting
Located on the Lynn Canal, North America’s longest and deepest fjord, Skagway is the perfect place to fly past gorgeous waterfalls, rocky beaches and wildlife.
Take in the coastal wilderness of southeastern Alaska from the water on a RIB adventure. Don a waterproof suit, goggles, and gloves and skirt the shoreline to marvel at the pristine coves, natural waterfalls, and the only fjord in North America. You will have plenty of opportunities to grab photos and spot wildlife plus savor the silence when the captain cuts the motor.
Sea Kayaking
Want something quieter and more active? Sea kayaking is a great option.
Paddle Alaska’s Inside Passage on a sea kayaking trip from Skagway that explores a dramatic coast lined with towering peaks. Watch for bald eagles, moose, and whales as you paddle a 2-person kayak, then come to shore for a picnic on an Alaskan beach. For even more time on the water, you’ll make the round-trip journey between Skagway to Haines aboard a high-speed catamaran, a 17-mile trip that traverses scenic Lynn Fjord.
There are also plenty of free things to do in Skagway. Walk down the gold rush main street. Skagway’s main street is home to many shops, restaurants and museums. You could easily spend a few hours enjoying the boardwalk and perusing shops that sell jewelry, furs, and unique-to-Alaska gifts and souvenirs.
The downtown boardwalk is about a 10 minute walk from the docks.
Be sure to visit the Klondike Gold Rush visitor center and museum. A free 25-minute film “Gold Fever: Race to the Klondike” is shown at the NPS Visitor Center.
Check in to find out what time(s) the film is shown that day. You’ll leave with a great understanding of Skagway’s part in the Yukon Gold Rush.
If you love history and shopping, make sure to stop in at Corrington’s. The museum is tucked in the back of this high-end gift store and specializes in native artwork. It tells the history of Alaska in scrimshaw: artwork that is carved into ivory, whalebone and other materials.
The museum itself takes 30-45 minutes to walk through. Afterwards, you can shop for your own scrimshaw, or another unique souvenir, to take home and support local, native artisans.
Make your way down Broadway Street in downtown Skagway to get a picture of the snow and ice cutting train formerly used by the White Pass & Yukon Railroad.
Be sure to see the massive train/snowplow that was built in 1898. It cleared the tracks here until 1964. Restored in 1995 and is now on display for visitors to enjoy. It’s kind of hard to miss….it’s just outside the port along the train tracks.
Be sure to take a picture of he exterior of the Skagway Visitor’s Center. Located in the historic Arctic Brotherhood Hallm, this is a tourist destination all on its own.The outside of this building is intricately decorated with over 8,800 pieces of driftwood.
If you step across the street, you can see the letters “AB” (Arctic Brotherhood) and “1899” above the door. This unique building is a must-see!
Do you love visiting graveyards? Step into history at the Gold Rush Cemetery and Lower Reid Falls. This historical cemetery is 4 mile round trip walk from downtown Skagway. You can also take the local SMART bus shuttle, which will drop you off about a half mile from the cemetery. There’s a fascinating list of people interred in the Gold Rush cemetery. You can see their ages and the common (and uncommon) ways that people died in Skagway during the Gold Rush.
Lower Reid Falls is a 10-15 minute hike behind the cemetery. This path is suitable for anyone with mobility issues.
It can be an Alaska cruise mistake to not eat or drink in the ports of call. Consider having lunch or a local beer at one of the family owned restaurants.
Skagway Brewing Company is a popular favorite for locals, cruise travelers and cruise ship crew. Try a pint of Spruce Tip Ale for a unique taste of this Alaska beer.
The Red Onion Saloon is another popular restaurant in Skagway. Originally established in 1898 as a bordello for lonely gold miners during the Klondike gold rush era, the Red Onion Saloon is a historic landmark in Skagway. Now, you can grab a bite to eat while visiting the on-site brothel museum.
Visit Viator for even more great ideas. There are so many fun and exciting excursions to choose from!
FAQ:
What is the best time of year to visit Skagway?
Skagway has the mildest weather of any port town in Southeast Alaska, so plan to visit any time during cruise season. The best time of year to visit is in July or August when the majority of shops and excursions are in full operation and the weather tends to be the driest.
How far is downtown Skagway from the cruise port?
Downtown Skagway is a quick walk from the cruise port. There are four different ports available for cruise ships to dock in Skagway. Depending on which port your ship is docked in, the walk from the cruise port to downtown Skagway is between half to three quarters of a mile long.
Final Thoughts:
Skagway is a charming port town that lets cruise passengers step back in time to gold rush days through exciting excursions. Whether you walk through a historical museum, try your hand at panning gold or explore nature, this port will be a memorable stop on your Alaska cruise.
Whatever you decide to do in Skagway, I guarantee you will have a great time. Be sure to bring comfortable shoes and rain gear, just to be safe.
Tip: A good packing list for Alaska is essential. Packing for Alaska…What To Bring
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