Skagway was once the gateway to the Klondike gold rush in the late 1800s. Today, it is cashing in on the gold rush era by appealing to tourists. It is a major geographical gateway to southeast Alaska, and connects to the Alaskan Highway. The Alaska State Ferry stops here, as do several cruise ships. Skagway is has plenty of activities and sites for tourists.
Hiking
Hikers will find many trails around Skagway. The most famous is the 33 mile trek along the Chilkoot Trail, which goes over the Chilkoot Pass to Lake Bennett, where miners set off for the Klondike gold rush. The trail offers breathtaking views and perhaps some wildlife and relics from the gold rush days.
There are many other trails around Skagway, along the ocean or the rivers watching for wildlife. Another trail leads to an area where visitors can pan for gold and watch a melodrama about the gold rush days.
On the Water
For the adventurous there is kayaking and canoeing. Kayaking is more popular as the small crafts are easier to maneuver and less likely to turn over. Guides offer tours and lessons. Kayaks can be rented along the waterfront in Skagway. Outfitters are available for a guided kayak tour.
Hike and Float
Explore more nature in Skagway with a guided hike and float trip. This trip involves a 10-mile coastal drive to the abandoned gold rush town of Dyea. The tour includes a hike along the Chilkoot trail to the Taiya River. Once at the river, guests take a float down the river. At the end of the float, tourists are picked up and taken back to Skagway. The tour takes four hours, with two hours of hiking and 45 minutes on the float. Guides will explain much of the flora and fauna, both from a history and a nature perspective.
Exploring
Street and trail maps are available at the visitors center in Skagway. A rewarding way to explore Skagway is on foot, walking the historic streets. The gold rush environment has been restored, with many historic shops and historical characters walking the streets. There are also many specialty shops in the downtown area for gift shopping.
Dogs
Mushing with dogs, or being pulled by dogs while riding in a sled, is an image many people have of Alaska, and it can be a reality in Skagway. Guides take visitors to a glacier to ride with a team of dogs.
You may choose to get there by helicopter as part of a "flight-seeing" tour. The helicopter can provide very closeup views of glaciers, and set tourists down near the team of dogs.
Trains
Ride the train along the same route that gold rushers took on their way to the Klondike on the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad. The railroad was built in 1898 for people to get to the gold fields. Today, it is a ride through great scenery. The train goes basically the same way as trails travel, just more quickly.
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