Day Hikes in Skagway
10 Activities
Chilkoot Lake Nature and Wildlife Viewing - Departs from Skagway
Leave the crowds behind on this fun nature and wildlife viewing trip! From Skagway, the trip begins with a 45-minute ferry ride along the steep-walled fjords connecting Skagway to Haines. Over a dozen unnamed waterfalls drop hundreds of feet from the cliff sides on both sides of the boat. Marvel at the scenery and look for humpback whales, harbor seals, and bald eagles. Arrive in Haines, and meet your naturalist guide for a small-group driving tour to scenic and wildlife-rich Chilkoot Lake State Park. This park has it all: a turquoise lake surrounded by snowy mountain peaks, a salmon-filled river flowing into the sea, and important Tlingit cultural sights. Bald eagles, harbor seals, and brown bears are often seen here. As you drive through the park, your guide knows the best places to stop for scenery and the possibility of wildlife spotting. Supplied with extra binoculars and a powerful spotting scope to bring the wildlife in close, your guide explains how the animals fit into the Chilkoot's complex ecosystem. May, June, and July feature an explosion of wildflowers with bald eagles nesting along the lush river. Beginning in August, pink salmon-the smallest and most abundant of the Pacific salmon varieties-begin their run up the Chilkoot River to spawn. This is the best opportunity to see brown bears as they are often witnessed feeding along the banks of the river. Make sure to bring your camera to take advantage of the numerous photo opportunities.
Chilkoot Trail Hike, Float, and Summit Drive Tour
This excursion retraces the footsteps of the Klondike Gold Rush stampeeders over the historic Chilkoot Trail and float back down on the beautiful Taiya River. Tour the spectacular views of alpine lakes, towering snow-capped peaks, and pristine forest on a drive to the summit of the picturesque White Pass. Your excursion begins at the dock. After a safety orientation, board a van and drive through Skagway to the backcountry and the historic town of Dyea. Hike the first two miles of the scenic Chilkoot Trail, the centerpiece of gold rush history in Skagway. This world-famous trail was the main route to the riches of the Klondike during the gold rush. Now a tranquil place of incredible beauty, the trail winds through a lush rainforest alive with birds, animals, and wildflowers. Enjoy the exercise, fresh air, beautiful scenery, pristine forests, and history of a bygone era as the trail takes you up and over the 350' tall Saintly Hill. Along the way, your tour guide weaves an entertaining mix of natural history and Klondike folklore. Photo opportunities abound as you retrace the footsteps of the gold-hungry stampeders who forged this route over 100 years ago. Arrive at the banks of the Taiya River, where your 18-foot raft awaits for the scenic float (no whitewater) back to Dyea. The forest gives way to fields of beach greens and wild iris, and the granite walls of the fjords rise steeply to the snow-capped peaks and hanging glaciers. Enjoy a riverside snack of homemade cookies and a hot beverage with countless picture-perfect moments before loading up in the van and continuing the tour up to the White Pass summit. We’ll drive for about 45 minutes from the take-out to the top of the scenic White Pass. There are many photo opportunities of beautiful alpine lakes, glaciers, towering snowcapped peaks and pristine forests. After enjoying the spectacular scenery, we’ll return through the U.S. Border station and return to the town of Skagway. *Timings: (~10 minutes) - Your friendly guide will meet you near the Skagway Small Boat harbor sign and restrooms. Here they will take the opportunity to get to know you and provide answers to any questions that you might have about your upcoming excursion. (~35 minutes) - From the small boat harbor we’ll board a van and head toward Dyea and the Chilkoot Trail. Along the way, you’ll enjoy a driving town tour of Skagway and the scenic coastal gravel road to Dyea. (~120 minutes) - Once we arrive in Dyea, your guide will get you outfitted with trekking poles and you’ll have the opportunity to use the restroom before we begin tracing the Gold Rush stampeders’ steps along the first two miles of the Historic Chilkoot Trail. (~10 minutes) - At the end of the hike your guide will get you outfitted with a PFD and rubber boots and provide a safety briefing as we prepare for the scenic float down the Taiya River. (~35 minutes) - Sit back and enjoy as your experienced river guide rows you down the scenic Taiya River. The stable 18’ raft provides a great platform for photography and taking in the sweeping mountain, ocean, and rainforest views. (~15 minutes) - Once we reach the riverside raft take-out, you’ll be treated to a homemade cookie and hot cocoa, hot tea, and some free time to take in the dramatic landscape with the supplied spotting scope. (~85 minutes) - From the river take-out we’ll begin our drive north up the Klondike Highway to the dramatic summit of the White Pass. There will be many photo opportunities and we’ll stop at the “Welcome to Alaska” sign so that you can get pictures with the sign. (~60 minutes) - When we depart the summit the leisurely drive back to your ship will take about 45-60 minutes as we make a photo stop at Bridal Veil Falls and stop through US Customs.
Available Timing
Skagway Adventure Hike
Join experienced guides on an exciting hiking adventure through the Tongass Rainforest that immerses you in the incredible beauty of Southeast Alaska. Your adventure will begin with a guided driving town tour of Skagway and continue up the White Pass on the Klondike Highway. Along the way, your guide will regale you with history about the Klondike Gold Rush and the natural history of the area. From the trailhead, you will spend the next 2 hours hiking through the beautiful alpine forest surrounded by the towering snow-capped mountains of the White Pass. Your naturalist guides will frequently stop along the way to share their knowledge about the native flora, and fauna, and to describe the amazing glacial history of Alaska. Each group is outfitted with binoculars to maximize your opportunities to see up close the spectacular mountain and river scenery. Midway through the hike you will be treated to a delicious snack at the final breathtaking overlook with incredible views of the Skagway Valley, White Pass, and the Lynn Canal. This is a great active family experience and kids are welcome (minimum age of 6). Bring your camera!! * Timings: (~10 minutes) - Your friendly guide will meet you near the Skagway Small Boat harbor sign and restrooms. Here they will take the opportunity to get to know you and provide answers to any questions that you might have about your upcoming excursion. (~ 15 minutes) - We’ll depart from our meeting point by van for an interpretive driving tour of historic downtown Skagway on our way up the Klondike Highway to our private Porcupine Mountain trailhead. (~15 minutes) - Once we arrive a short walk will bring us to the trailhead where your guide will provide a safety briefing and get you outfitted with trekking poles for the hike. (~110 minutes) - From here we’ll continue uphill along the trail stopping at a series of scenic viewpoints that take in the vistas of the Skagway Valley and White Pass. Along the way, your expert guide will share their knowledge of the native flora and fauna and the unique geological history of the area as we pass through multiple ecosystems. After a rest at the last viewpoint, we’ll head back down the trail to our rough-cut timber kiosk for some hot cocoa and trail mix. (~15 minutes) - We’ll depart the trail for a scenic ride back through the Skagway Valley and back to town.
White Pass Mountaineering Adventure
This tour is a full-day adventure into an off-trail, above-tree-line alpine area of White Pass. This tour is only recommended for hikers and mountain climbers looking for a challenging adventure in the wilds of Alaska. Our trip begins with a 40-minute van ride into the mountains and up the White Pass, which borders Alaska and the Yukon Territory in Canada. After we gear up, we’ll leave the road and venture into the alpine wonderland of White Pass. The nature of the tour and route conditions varies depending on the time of the year. In May and June, the conditions on the route are likely covered in snow and will require a combination of snow-shoeing and stream crossing. Later in the season, we’ll still encounter snow up higher on the peaks, but the access route will likely be snow free and involve off-trail hiking through alpine grasses and wildflowers, scrambling on rocks, and the occasional stream crossing. Our route will cover about 6 miles and gain up to 3,000 feet in elevation. Typically, our objective is to climb to the summit of Feather Peak or Mount Cleveland, both of which stand at about 5,500 feet. Both high points offer incredible views of the surrounding jagged peaks and wilderness of White Pass. However, there are a series of high points and routes that your guide may choose from. We may use crampons, ice axes, ropes, and other technical equipment to access the summit, however, there are also moderate routes to the summit that can be done without ropes. Safety is always our top priority. The exact route will depend on conditions, group ability, and guide choice. Even if the summit isn’t possible for the day, there are incredible waterfalls and scenic views to enjoy on this alpine hiking adventure. We allow for a full 8 hours for this adventure, however, timing in the mountains can be variable. We’ll be sure to get you back to your cruise ship on time. Our mountain guides are skilled at instruction and are excited to help teach snowshoe technique and basic mountaineering skills along the way. Weather can be quite variable at the pass. It is possible to have sunshine, whiteout foggy conditions, 30mph winds, rain, and even snow all on the same day. Temperatures are likely 10-20 degrees cooler than at sea level. It is important to dress in layers and avoid bringing cotton clothes. We operate this trip rain or shine, so good clothing and preparation are essential to thoroughly enjoy the adventurous experience. A waterproof jacket and pants, extra warm layers, and good hiking boots are essential. (~15 min) – Driving town tour of Skagway and visit to Skagway overlook (~20 min) – Unload and head into the backcountry, crossing a few small streams (~40 min) – Depart Skagway and drive up the White Pass (~2 hours) – As we gain elevation, we'll ascend an exposed ridge with some steeper snow and rock scrambling bringing us to a high point. Along the way, we'll stop to eat snacks and have lunch. (~3 hours) – We'll ascend up through tundra (or snow), taking short breaks about every hour or so. We'll bypass a series of beautiful waterfalls, and make our way toward the upper part of the mountain (~2 hours) – We'll descend back down the mountain, and back to the road. (~40 min) – Drive back to Skagway stopping along the way for photo opportunities
Available Timing
Skagway E-Bike & Brew
Discover the heart of the Klondike Gold Rush while cruising around Skagway on an E-Bike Tour followed by a tasting at the Skagway Brewing Company! Our pedal assisted E-Bikes (Trek Allant+) feel like riding a normal bike but faster and easier! Cruise through downtown Skagway on our E-Bike Tour out to a historic cemetery where your guide will bring the stories of the intrepid Gold Rush stampeders to life. Leave your bikes for a short hike to a breathtaking waterfall. Feel the wind in your hair as you effortlessly zoom up to a splendid lookout over the town. See the glacially carved valley and striking mountain peaks. Finally descend back to town and tour Skagway's oldest brewery, founded in 1898! Sample the delicious local brews and learn about Skagway Brewing Co’s unique brewing process and commitment to sustainability.
Available Timing
Chilkoot Trail Hike and Float Tour
Begin in Skagway as we drive 10 scenic coastal miles to the head of the famous Chilkoot Trail in Dyea, an abandoned Gold Rush town, now part of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. On the 2-mile moderate hike, retrace the steps of the Gold Rush stampeders through a green moss-covered northern temperate rainforest. You will learn lots of gold rush and natural history and have time for taking photos. At the end of the one-way hike we meet with the raft and suit up for a relaxing river float on the tranquil Taiya River. As you float down the gentle Taiya River, your guide will point out wildlife (Bald Eagles are common, bears occasionally) and tell stories of the area’s fascinating history while you enjoy the gorgeous river and mountain views. Enjoy a riverside snack after the float. This is an ACTIVE tour and the hike is moderately strenuous over uneven, hilly terrain (elevation gain is 300 feet up then 300 feet down) for the first mile, then on mostly flat ground for the remainder. Wear sturdy walking shoes with good traction. Please note that the hike portion of this trip is moderate to strenuous. Please be in good physical condition. Those with back, knee, hip, or balance issues should consider their participation in this activity. There is an alternate easier guided walk in place of the Chilkoot trail hike available and you will meet up with the group for the float portion. Please advise us when booking if you may need this service. Due to safety reasons and keeping our tour schedule, our guides will strongly advise you to do this alternate route at the start of the hike if they feel your participation in the Chilkoot Trail hike to be too strenuous for your ability level. Hiking poles are available for the hiking portion. For the Float portion we have lifejackets, rubber boots to wear instead of your shoes, and long rain ponchos. Tour goes rain or shine so please come prepared to hike in the rain with rainjackets and/or pants if needed.
Laughton Glacier Expedition
Unveil the Wonders of Skagway You will board the train for a nearly one-hour journey on the White Pass scenic railway, filled with spectacular waterfalls, rushing rivers, jagged mountain peaks, and complemented by Klondike Gold Rush history. At Glacier Station, you will begin a fully guided round-trip hike of up to eight miles, in the clean mountain air. Your hike begins on a well-maintained trail meandering through the surreal beauty of an old-growth rainforest valley that is home to an abundance of moose, bear, mountain goats and other wild animals. The trail winds along the raging Skagway River, meeting it in places where you will take memorable photos before you turn into the valley containing the majestic Laughton Glacier. You will take a break at the “lookout” and bask in the splendor of the 360-degree views available there. Leaving the lookout and proceeding toward the glacier, you will notice that the route has become more rugged, though still manageable. Approaching the glacier, the terrain changes dramatically as you leave the rocky riverbed and pick your way through a boulder field and onto the glacier. You are certain to enjoy the breathtaking views, exposed crevasses and moulins, and other fascinating features of the great frozen river of ice, ever-changing in the harsh Alaskan environment. Hot drinks will be offered by your guides while you are perched on the glacier. Upon return to the trailhead, you will be greeted with our traditional “Bush Buffet”, complete with cold beverages. Relax and enjoy the ride back to town on “The Scenic Railway of the World”. With a ratio of no more than six guests per guide, you will receive extraordinary customer service. In May and early June, glacier travel may be limited or impossible due to snow on the glacier.
Available Timing
Heli-Hike to Glacier Station
Embark on the Ultimate Skagway Adventure This tour is designed to satisfy your desire for the ultimate adventure in Skagway! We have combined a scenic helicopter flight and a train ride aboard the historic White Pass Scenic Railway with a breathtaking wilderness hike in the Tongass National Forest. This fully guided wilderness experience offers the perfect mix of adventure, exercise and unforgettable scenery. Your day begins with a helicopter flight along the Sawtooth mountain range and over Goat Lake, before landing at Glacier Station. After a brief orientation and gear-grab, you’ll be off on a four- to five-mile round trip hike along the raging Skagway River to a viewpoint of the magnificent Laughton Glacier. Enjoy exceptional customer service, as there will never be more than six guests per guide. The group size is always small. Your hiking experience will be tailored to your particular interests as much as possible. This remote subalpine valley offers wonderful views and an endless array of flora and fauna. If photography is your passion, this is the perfect opportunity to indulge! Be on the lookout for wildlife, bear, moose, mountain goats and many other species all call this valley home. Once back at the wilderness whistle stop, board the White Pass train for a 14-mile scenic rail journey back to Skagway while snacking on our cooler of “backcountry delights.” You’ll treasure the diversity, extraordinary beauty and the companionship of this very special day in Skagway. Flight pattern varies based on current weather conditions.
Available Timing
Laughton Glacier Snowshoe Expedition
This trip combines a scenic rail journey aboard the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railway with a wilderness snowshoe trek toward the magnificent Laughton Glacier, an adventure you won’t soon forget. You will board the train for a nearly one-hour scenic journey filled with spectacular waterfalls, rushing rivers, jagged mountain peaks and complemented by Klondike Gold Rush history. At Glacier Station, guides will outfit you with snowshoes and other gear before you begin a fully guided and narrated three- to five-mile round trip snowshoe hike. Revel in the clean mountain air, amidst the surreal beauty of an old-growth forest. The magnificent, snow-blanketed, sub-alpine rainforest valley is home to an abundance of moose, bear, mountain goats and other wild animals. This spectacular trail winds along the raging Skagway River, where you will take memorable photos before continuing toward a smaller valley containing the Laughton Glacier. The canopy opens as you leave the forest and reach a panoramic viewpoint known as “the lookout”. This is where you can take a break as well as photos while enjoying the breathtaking views of Alaska’s winter wonderland in the spring. From here, some may choose to continue a ways toward the majestic Laughton Glacier, while others may make this the apex of the hike. Whatever you choose, you’ll be invigorated by the raw beauty of the Alaskan wilds and be offered hot drinks by your guides. Upon your return to the trailhead, you will be greeted with our traditional “Bush Buffet”, complete with snacks and assorted beverages. Finally, enjoy a relaxing train ride back to Skagway on “The Scenic Railway of the World.” With no more than six guests per guide, you can expect exceptional customer service.
Burro Creek Wilderness Lodge
Your Burro Creek adventure begins at the Skagway Small Boat Harbor, where you’ll take a scenic 10-minute boat ride across the Taiya Inlet to Burro Creek Lodge. Once there, enjoy a spread of charcuterie (for purchase), roast s’mores (included) by the campfire, and take a short walk to the waterfall. Relax on the lawn with croquet and cornhole, or simply soak in the stunning fjord and mountain views. Each departure carries up to 6 guests, and groups from different departures may overlap at the lodge, creating a friendly, social atmosphere. Your ticket includes one adult beverage (beer or wine), with additional drinks available for purchase. This 2.5-hour tour begins and ends at the Small Boat Harbor—the perfect blend of Alaskan wilderness, good food, and laid-back fun. Itinerary: ✅ Semi-Private group experience – up to 6 guests per departure ✅ 10-minute scenic boat ride across the Taiya Inlet ✅ Campfire s’mores under the Alaskan sky ✅ Mini hike to a hidden waterfall just steps from the lodge ✅ Lawn games like croquet and cornhole with a view ✅ Charcuterie spread (for purchase)– perfect for sharing ✅ Wine & beer available for purchase Highlights: Step off the beaten path and into a one-of-a-kind Alaskan experience at Burro Creek Lodge. Your adventure begins at the Skagway Small Boat Harbor, where you’ll board our boat for a quick and scenic 10-minute ride across the Taiya Inlet. As the bustle of town slips away, you’ll arrive at a secluded lodge surrounded by towering mountains, lush forest, and the sparkling waters of the fjord. Once ashore, you’ll be welcomed with a complimentary drink, and the chance to unwind in the lodge’s beautiful setting. Enjoy a short walk to the waterfall, challenge your friends to a game of croquet or cornhole, or simply relax on the lawn and take in the views. As the campfire crackles, gather with your group to make s’mores and enjoy the cozy atmosphere that makes Burro Creek so unforgettable. Each ticket includes one adult beverage (beer or wine), with additional drinks available for purchase. Whether you’re toasting with a glass of wine, sharing laughs by the fire, or soaking in the natural beauty, this is a chance to experience the best of Alaska at a slower, more intimate pace. With departures carrying up to six guests, Burro Creek offers a friendly, small-group atmosphere. Groups from different departures may overlap at the lodge, making for a relaxed and social vibe while still keeping the experience personal. This 2.5-hour tour begins and ends at the Small Boat Harbor in Skagway—perfect for couples, families, or friends looking to add a touch of magic and relaxation to their Alaskan journey.
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