Musher's Camp & Gold Panning
Offered by AlaskaX In Skagway, Alaska
: $
About us
Our mission is to inspire others through adventurous and informative experiences in the wilderness and beauty of Alaska.
AlaskaX is a locally owned and operated company with a focus on providing affordable and immersive tour experiences in the remote Alaskan wilderness. We strive to provide our guests with an unforgettable adventure that is respectful of our surroundings. We believe that it is important as a tour company to provide experiences that honor and will positively impact the natural and cultural environments. Our company prioritizes reducing our waste and consumption, sustainably using our resources, maintaining biodiversity and ecological processes, and supporting our local economy and community. To better represent what we believe, we are proud to disclose our momentous transition from a diesel generator to a hydroelectric power system that we are installing to produce clean energy for our zip-line and dog camp tours. We hope that our eco-conscious tours will leave you with not only extraordinary memories but a greater appreciation and understanding of Alaskan nature and heritage.
AlaskaX is a locally owned and operated company with a focus on providing affordable and immersive tour experiences in the remote Alaskan wilderness. We strive to provide our guests with an unforgettable adventure that is respectful of our surroundings. We believe that it is important as a tour company to provide experiences that honor and will positively impact the natural and cultural environments. Our company prioritizes reducing our waste and consumption, sustainably using our resources, maintaining biodiversity and ecological processes, and supporting our local economy and community. To better represent what we believe, we are proud to disclose our momentous transition from a diesel generator to a hydroelectric power system that we are installing to produce clean energy for our zip-line and dog camp tours. We hope that our eco-conscious tours will leave you with not only extraordinary memories but a greater appreciation and understanding of Alaskan nature and heritage.
What we'll do
This authentic Alaskan tour begins with a bus ride through Skagway to our dog camp deep in the Tongass National Forest. Once you arrive, you will attend a presentation from our mushers where you will learn all there is to know about the sport, as well as meet these professional athletes and their pups! After this, get ready to feel like an early explorer by panning for gold in our riverside sluice. Top it off by traversing our scenic grounds and visiting our gift shop before returning to town.
Your journey begins with an entertaining historic tour from your knowledgeable guide through downtown Skagway and along nine miles of stunning coastline to our Adventure Camp in Dyea. Kick off your visit with what we like to call a “Musher Talk.” We have been sharing our passion for dog sledding for years, and in that time, we have gathered up the most frequently asked questions about the sport. In the Musher Talk, we will share fascinating information about this extreme Alaskan state sport and welcome any additional questions you may have. Of course, we make sure you have plenty of time to meet some of the actual athletes who do these amazing things, our sled dogs! Not to worry—we have litters of puppies too that are ready for cuddles and kisses. Human socialization is actually essential to their development and racing success. After that, take a chance to pan for gold in our riverside sluice! Once your guide shows you the art of gold panning, you can test your luck to see what you can find while learning about the history of the gold rush that took off from this area. Then you will have time to take a short self-guided nature hike next to a beautiful waterfall and dense Alaskan forest or browse the gift shop and relax in our saloon with a deck overlooking the picturesque stream. All of this in a spectacular Alaskan setting! This is a tour full of Alaskan adventure, history, and awe-inspiring wilderness.
Tour Itinerary
35 minutes
Narrated scenic drive from the dock to our Adventure Camp
30 minutes
Restroom break followed by interactive presentation about dog mushing
20 minutes
Time to meet the sled dogs and play with the puppies!
20 minutes
Test your luck and pan for gold!
20 minutes
Free time at camp to browse the gift shop, hike to a waterfall viewpoint, or use the restrooms
40 minutes
Return drive back to town
Your journey begins with an entertaining historic tour from your knowledgeable guide through downtown Skagway and along nine miles of stunning coastline to our Adventure Camp in Dyea. Kick off your visit with what we like to call a “Musher Talk.” We have been sharing our passion for dog sledding for years, and in that time, we have gathered up the most frequently asked questions about the sport. In the Musher Talk, we will share fascinating information about this extreme Alaskan state sport and welcome any additional questions you may have. Of course, we make sure you have plenty of time to meet some of the actual athletes who do these amazing things, our sled dogs! Not to worry—we have litters of puppies too that are ready for cuddles and kisses. Human socialization is actually essential to their development and racing success. After that, take a chance to pan for gold in our riverside sluice! Once your guide shows you the art of gold panning, you can test your luck to see what you can find while learning about the history of the gold rush that took off from this area. Then you will have time to take a short self-guided nature hike next to a beautiful waterfall and dense Alaskan forest or browse the gift shop and relax in our saloon with a deck overlooking the picturesque stream. All of this in a spectacular Alaskan setting! This is a tour full of Alaskan adventure, history, and awe-inspiring wilderness.
Tour Itinerary
35 minutes
Narrated scenic drive from the dock to our Adventure Camp
30 minutes
Restroom break followed by interactive presentation about dog mushing
20 minutes
Time to meet the sled dogs and play with the puppies!
20 minutes
Test your luck and pan for gold!
20 minutes
Free time at camp to browse the gift shop, hike to a waterfall viewpoint, or use the restrooms
40 minutes
Return drive back to town
What to expect / what's provided
*Duration: 2 Hours 45 mins
*This excursion is suitable for all guests.
*We cannot accommodate scooters on this tour; however, we can accommodate manual collapsible wheelchairs.
*A signed waiver is required of all guests.
*Easy activity level; guests must be able to walk up to 50 yards as well as ascend/descend steps to go in/out of the vehicle.
*Optional 300-yard hike over uneven terrain to waterfall overlook.
* Gift shop and saloon available to purchase snacks or beverages.
*NOTE:
- Does not include a sled ride.
- We recommend wearing layers, rain gear, and sturdy shoes.
*FAQs:
- Are tours canceled due to rain?
No. Southeast Alaska is located in the largest temperate rainforest in the world---the Tongass National Forest. Since we are known for our ample liquid sunshine, we strongly believe there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing! As long as the weather conditions are not deemed unsafe, tours will proceed as normal.
- What if the port is canceled or delayed?
Although extremely rare, if the ship cancels the port of call, we will provide guests with a full refund. If the ship is delayed, we will try to accommodate tours as best as we can.
- Is smoking allowed on tours?
Smoking is not permitted on any of our excursions or vehicles, although there are some areas away from the tour grounds where you may smoke.
- Are we guaranteed to return to the ship in time?
All of our excursions are scheduled around cruise ship arrival and departure times so that you are guaranteed to return to the dock with time to make it back onboard.
- Where do we meet for the tours?
All of your tours will meet at your cruise ship dock unless a different location is specified.
- Do you offer tours in the winter months?
Our company operates tours from early May to early October during the tourism season; we do not operate any tours from November to April.
- What should I bring with me on the tours?
We strongly recommend guests bring rain gear, warm clothing/layers, and cameras to capture the memories.
- Are all of the tours wheelchair accessible?
For guests with limited mobility, we recommend our Musher’s Camp and S’More Roasting/Gold Panning Adventures. On these adventures, we can accommodate guests with a collapsible style wheelchair. Guests must be able to transfer from the chair to get into and out of vehicles but otherwise can utilize the collapsible style chair as needed. Our Musher’s Camp and Sled Dog Adventures in both Juneau and Skagway can accommodate a collapsible style wheelchair but guests must be able to transfer into and out of vehicles as well as walk short distances. Glacier Point Wilderness Safari, Glacier Point ATV Adventure, Chilkoot Horseback Adventure, and Grizzly Falls Zipline are all not wheelchair accessible.
- Are children allowed on tours?
Each of our tours has different restrictions for height, weight, and age. Visit our several different excursions pages for more information regarding children’s restrictions on our tours.
- How far in advance do I need to make a reservation?
Our excursions tend to fill up quickly. For this reason, it is better to make your reservation sooner rather than later.
- Is there a charge for infants?
Children 2 years old and under are considered “lap children.” This means they do not need a paying ticket so long as they sit on someone’s lap during the sled ride as well as during all transportation to and from our camps.
- Is transportation included?
All of our excursions provide transportation to and from your cruise ship dock.
- What are the ages for infant (lap) tickets, child tickets, and adult tickets?
All ages are applicable at the time of activity. An infant is under 2 years old (no charge) and is considered a lap child and will be expected to sit in the parent's lap; the child is 2 - 12 years old, and the adult is 13 and older.
*This excursion is suitable for all guests.
*We cannot accommodate scooters on this tour; however, we can accommodate manual collapsible wheelchairs.
*A signed waiver is required of all guests.
*Easy activity level; guests must be able to walk up to 50 yards as well as ascend/descend steps to go in/out of the vehicle.
*Optional 300-yard hike over uneven terrain to waterfall overlook.
* Gift shop and saloon available to purchase snacks or beverages.
*NOTE:
- Does not include a sled ride.
- We recommend wearing layers, rain gear, and sturdy shoes.
*FAQs:
- Are tours canceled due to rain?
No. Southeast Alaska is located in the largest temperate rainforest in the world---the Tongass National Forest. Since we are known for our ample liquid sunshine, we strongly believe there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing! As long as the weather conditions are not deemed unsafe, tours will proceed as normal.
- What if the port is canceled or delayed?
Although extremely rare, if the ship cancels the port of call, we will provide guests with a full refund. If the ship is delayed, we will try to accommodate tours as best as we can.
- Is smoking allowed on tours?
Smoking is not permitted on any of our excursions or vehicles, although there are some areas away from the tour grounds where you may smoke.
- Are we guaranteed to return to the ship in time?
All of our excursions are scheduled around cruise ship arrival and departure times so that you are guaranteed to return to the dock with time to make it back onboard.
- Where do we meet for the tours?
All of your tours will meet at your cruise ship dock unless a different location is specified.
- Do you offer tours in the winter months?
Our company operates tours from early May to early October during the tourism season; we do not operate any tours from November to April.
- What should I bring with me on the tours?
We strongly recommend guests bring rain gear, warm clothing/layers, and cameras to capture the memories.
- Are all of the tours wheelchair accessible?
For guests with limited mobility, we recommend our Musher’s Camp and S’More Roasting/Gold Panning Adventures. On these adventures, we can accommodate guests with a collapsible style wheelchair. Guests must be able to transfer from the chair to get into and out of vehicles but otherwise can utilize the collapsible style chair as needed. Our Musher’s Camp and Sled Dog Adventures in both Juneau and Skagway can accommodate a collapsible style wheelchair but guests must be able to transfer into and out of vehicles as well as walk short distances. Glacier Point Wilderness Safari, Glacier Point ATV Adventure, Chilkoot Horseback Adventure, and Grizzly Falls Zipline are all not wheelchair accessible.
- Are children allowed on tours?
Each of our tours has different restrictions for height, weight, and age. Visit our several different excursions pages for more information regarding children’s restrictions on our tours.
- How far in advance do I need to make a reservation?
Our excursions tend to fill up quickly. For this reason, it is better to make your reservation sooner rather than later.
- Is there a charge for infants?
Children 2 years old and under are considered “lap children.” This means they do not need a paying ticket so long as they sit on someone’s lap during the sled ride as well as during all transportation to and from our camps.
- Is transportation included?
All of our excursions provide transportation to and from your cruise ship dock.
- What are the ages for infant (lap) tickets, child tickets, and adult tickets?
All ages are applicable at the time of activity. An infant is under 2 years old (no charge) and is considered a lap child and will be expected to sit in the parent's lap; the child is 2 - 12 years old, and the adult is 13 and older.
Cancellation Policy
This tour service is 100% refundable up until 7 days prior to departure time at which point it will be eligible for a 50% refund until 24 hours prior to departure, at which point it is non-refundable.
Map
