Skagway was the gateway to the gold fields for the thousands who flocked to Alaska and the Yukon hoping to strike it rich. Although Skagway offered the shortest route to the Klondike, it wasn’t the easiest. Over 100 years ago, the White Pass route through the Coast Mountains and the shorter but steeper Chilkoot Trail were used by countless stampeders, and many perished on the treacherous Chilkoot Trail.
The gold rush was a boon and by 1898, Skagway became Alaska’s largest town with a population of about 20,000. Hotels, saloons, dance halls and gambling houses prospered. But when the gold yield dwindled in 1900, so did the population as miners quickly shifted to new finds in Nome. Today, Skagway has less than 1,000 residents and still retains the flavor of the gold rush era.
Points of interest
White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad: The “Scenic Railway of the World” links Skagway with Yukon, Canada. A 41-mile roundtrip offers an unforgettable journey to the White Pass summit at nearly 3,000 feet.
Outdoor Adventures: Ride with sled dogs, go horseback riding, hiking, river rafting, flightseeing, ziplining and more.
Klondike Summit: Also called White Pass Summit, rising 3,292 feet above sea level along the Klondike Highway. Expect waterfalls, glaciers, scenic vistas and glimpses of the original Brackett Wagon Road and Tormented Valley.
Gold Rush History: Relive the Yukon Gold Rush—tour camps, pan for gold, and meet costumed characters bringing boom-town days to life.
Yukon (Canada): A wilderness playground reached via a scenic 65-mile drive from Skagway, transitioning from lush coastal landscapes to rugged interior wilderness. Whitehorse is the capital and a center for mining and forestry.
Haines: Just 14 miles from Skagway by water, Haines is renowned for its pristine beauty, abundant wildlife, and huge convocations of bald eagles.
Red Onion Saloon: Skagway’s most exclusive bordello during the Klondike Gold Rush—now a colorful National Historic Building and bar/restaurant.
Dog Sledding: Meet professional mushers and their canine teams. Fly to a glacier for snow sledding or visit summer training grounds for a wheeled-sled ride.
Booking and savings
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Skagway shore excursions (47)
Below are all currently listed Skagway excursions with duration, activity level, starting price, and links to view details and availability.
Rail and summit experiences
White Pass Scenic Railway — Rating: 4.7/5 (9,608 reviews) • 2.75 hours • Easy • From $169.95 • View details