Cruise Port Guide: Skagway
Skagway is the most northern deep water, ice-free port in North America. Given Skagway’s location and geographic benefits the port town provides year round transportation access from the mainland United States to the Yukon Territory and the Northwest Territories. In the summer months Skagway is a very popular cruise port that is visited by most cruise lines.
The Klondike Gold Rush created the town that Skagway is today. Gold was found in the Klondike in 1896 and the first round of prospectors arrived in 1897. As the population of Skagway grew the town’s reputation began to shift into the “Wild West”. The route to the Yukon was no easy trek, and many miners lost their lives to it. In 1898 construction began on the Whitepass and Yukon Route Railway. Unfortunately in 1899 the economy began to decline in Skagway and the gold rush was coming to an end. In 1900 when the railroad was completed the primary use of the railroad was for transportation and freight of other ores.
Today, Skagway is a great place to view living history. The town has kept several landmarks as they were back in the Gold Rush. It feels like you’re stepping back in time, but with all the modern amenities of still being on vacation.
Getting AROUND skagway
Skagway is longer than it is wide, sitting in a valley between mountains. Cruise ships dock right at the edge of town making it easy to explore. You don’t need to rent a car, take a taxi or even a bus to see everything downtown. It is an incredibly easy town to walk to the end of and back.
Things to do in town
Brush up on History at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park
Grab lunch the Red Onion Saloon
Visit the Gold Rush Cemetery, the oldest cemetery in Alaska
Take a photo of the Arctic Brotherhood Hall
Have a beer at Skagway Brewing Company
Best skagway excursions
wHITE PASS AND YUKON ROUTE RAILWAY
The White Pass Summit Excursion is the most popular train ride for cruise line guests. The tour is roughly three hours long and takes you 40 miles round trip to the White Pass summit on the Canadian border. You’ll pass through two tunnels and over Cantilever Bridge. The view from the train is absolutely stunning the entire trip.
You will want to sit on the left side of the train as you leave the station for the best views. If you are able to swap to the right side of the train on the way back down the mountain you should. Most cruise lines will let you book this directly through them, but you can also book through the railroad’s website. We did this when we went and it worked out well. You will just need to board the train at the train depot in town instead of directly off the dock by the cruise ships.
vISIT A MUSHERS CAMP
Dog mushing is the Alaska State sport, and a fun activity for the whole family. There are multiple excursion outlets to choose from if you want to try it out. Due to the cruising season being in the summer you won’t be able to use sleds, but rather wheeled carts that the dogs pull for training.
yukon driving tours
Take a beautiful sight seeing day taking a driving tour up the Klondike Highway. The most famous stop is the “Yukon Territory” sign by the Canadian border. Some tours end before you cross the Canadian border, and others will take you into Caracross, Yukon and you will need your passport. Beware which tour you choose and be sure to go prepared.
Hike
Lower Dewey Lake
3 Miles Round Trip
The entrance to the trail is located by the Whitepass and Yukon Railway tracks and you’ll need to cross them to start the hike. The trail starts out steep but levels out after the initial climb. There are picnic tables around the lake and even some kayaks and canoes to take out.
Upper Dewey Lake
5 Miles Round Trip
The Upper Dewey Lake trail starts in the same spot as the Lower Dewey Lake trail, but you will continue by Lower Dewey Lake instead of going around it. It is a beautiful forested trail and has amazing views of the harbor on a clear day.
Yakutania Point and Smugglers Cove
1.4 Miles Round Trip
This trail takes you across a footbridge on the edge of town, into a forested path along the coast. The beach at the end of the trail is a great place to have a picnic or hang out on a sunny day. The beach is a bit rocky so it is not great for spreading out.
