FREE THINGS TO DO IN SKAGWAY

  • 1. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center – Visitors can return to the days of the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897-1898 by touring 15 restored buildings within the historic district.
  • 2. Lower Reid Falls – Short hiking trail leading from a Gold Rush-era cemetery to a waterfall.
  • 3. BearHead Photography Gallery – Come and see a National Geographic photographers perspective of Alaska. Barrett Hedges’ gallery, Nature’s Wildest Moments, has images printed from his travels all over the state of Alaska, and the western U.S. Come in to the gallery to experience these wildest moments of nature through his eyes. Choose from images of bears, moose, bald eagles, whales, landscapes and much more to find that perfect image for your home as a lasting memory of your trip. Images are available in Metal Prints, Traditional Prints, Canvas Prints, Books, and Calendars. Free shipping within the U.S., and discounted worldwide shipping is available for all prints.
  • 4. Lower Dewey Lake Hiking Trail – Enjoy this 3.1-mile loop trail near Skagway, Alaska. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. This is a very popular area for birding, camping, and cross-country skiing, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. This trail switchbacks steeply for about 500 feet (0.5 mile) along the forested hillside. Not far up the trail there is a rock bench which provides a view of town and the harbor. The trail winds past a city reservoir and then continues on to the Lower Dewey Lake loop. This trail switchbacks steeply for about 500 feet (0.5 mile) along the forested hillside. Not far up the trail there is a rock bench which provides a view of town and the harbor. The trail winds past a city reservoir and then continues on to the Lower Dewey Lake loop. A rolling trail along the west side of the lake leads to an earthen levee and spillway and continues on to the rougher and narrower east side of the loop. Good views of the Twin Dewey Peaks (5,410 ft) may be had from all points of the lake. A number of picnic tables lay along the trail and sandy beach spots provide opportunities for swimming, fishing and non-motorized boating.
  • 5. Yakutania Point – Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 28 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The best times to visit this trail are May through October. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. This trail offers breathtaking water views and stunning rocky beach landscapes. The hike begins at Skagway Airport Parking lot and leads to Yakutania Point, where you can admire the passageway of the cruise ships and relax on the rocky shore. Don’t miss Smugglers Cove for more beautiful rocky beach views. The path is rocky in many parts, so wear hiking shoes.
  • 6. Upper Dewey Lake – 5.4-mile out-and-back trail near Skagway, Alaska. Generally considered a highly challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 46 min to complete.
  • 7. Gold Rush Cemetery – This is the oldest cemetery in Skagway and the easiest to visit. This was the first cemetery for the City of Skagway and many of our famous Gold Rush characters are interred here including local kingpin Jefferson “Soapy” Smith and early tourism promoter Martin Itjen and his “world’s largest gold nugget.” A list of people interred at the Gold Rush Cemetery is available for download (accessible PDF 344 KB). A trip to the Gold Rush Cemetery is a short walk from town and can be coupled with scenic Lower Reid Falls. It is also possible to take the local SMART bus shuttle to a stop 1/2 mile from the cemetery. Many commercial tours of town also include stops at the cemetery.
  • 8. Klondike Brewing Company – The Klondike Brewing Company is your Craft Beer destination in Skagway, Alaska located on 2nd Ave between Broadway and State Streets across from the Red Onion Saloon. Featuring brewed on site beers served at 38 degrees Fahrenheit, the Klondike Brewing Company celebrates in all that is the World’s perfect beverage, Beer! Tap room, mercantile and beer garden on site with brewery tours offered daily.
  • 9. State Street and Broadway Street – The Coast Mountains stand just a thousand feet from Broadway Street and nearly all of the storefronts and other buildings erected during the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush. Efforts to protect the city’s historic buildings, gold rush artifacts, and related resources first involved individual residents such as Harriet Pullen, who arrived in Skagway in 1897 and went on to amass a well-known museum collection. Today many of Broadway’s historic buildings — originally hotels, saloons, and stores — are used as museums, jewelry stores, gift shops, and art galleries.
  • 10. Pitchfork Falls – The water flowing from Goat Lake to the Skagway River makes a spectacular 2,000 foot waterfall. You can view it from a pull-out at mile 7.6 of the Klondike Highway.

RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS NEAR THE CRUISE PORT