In the summer of 1897, word reached the outside world that gold had been discovered in the Klondike region of Canada’s Yukon Territory. Within months, over 100,000 prospectors converged on a small tidal flat at the head of the Lynn Canal in Southeast Alaska. They called the place Skagway. Today Skagway has a year-round population of about 1,000 people but receives nearly one million visitors annually — one of Alaska’s most popular cruise ship ports of call. The reason is obvious: Skagway’s Gold Rush-era downtown is one of the best-preserved historic districts in the entire country.
Getting to Skagway
By Ferry: The Alaska Marine Highway connects Skagway to Juneau and Haines. The ferry from Juneau takes approximately four and a half hours up the Lynn Canal — one of the most beautiful fjord journeys in the world.
By Road: Skagway is connected to the Alaska Highway via the South Klondike Highway, which climbs over White Pass (3,292 feet) into British Columbia. The drive from Whitehorse takes approximately two hours.
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
Most of downtown Skagway is protected within Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, administered by the National Park Service. The park preserves over a dozen historic buildings along Broadway Street. The NPS Visitor Center provides free ranger-led walking tours throughout summer that bring the Gold Rush period to vivid life with stories of the characters, criminals, and dreamers who passed through Skagway in 1897–98.
The White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad
Built in 1898 to carry prospectors over the White Pass into Canada, this historic railway is the most popular excursion from Skagway. The narrow-gauge railway climbs from sea level to 2,865 feet at White Pass Summit over just 20 miles of track, passing through tunnels, over trestles, and along cliff edges. The summit excursion costs approximately $130–$150 per person and operates on multiple departures daily throughout summer.
Hiking the Chilkoot Trail
The Chilkoot Trail is one of the most historically significant hiking routes in North America — the same path used by 30,000 prospectors during the 1897–98 Gold Rush. Today it is a 33-mile backcountry trail from Dyea to Bennett, British Columbia, typically completed in three to five days. Along the way, original Gold Rush artifacts — stoves, boots, cans, tools — lie scattered exactly where they were abandoned 125 years ago, preserved by the cold and protected by law.
Where to Stay and Eat
White House Bed and Breakfast is a historic 1902 building right in the downtown area — comfortable and excellent value. For dining, Olivia’s at the Historic Skagway Inn serves excellent Pacific Northwest-inspired cuisine, and the Skagway Brewing Company offers good beers and burgers in a lively atmosphere.
Practical Tips
- Book the White Pass Railroad well in advance — it sells out regularly in July and August.
- Chilkoot Trail permits must be booked months in advance for summer departures.
- Skagway is very walkable — the historic district is compact and most attractions are within easy walking distance.
- Cruise ship days bring enormous crowds to Broadway. Arrive early in the morning or visit the quieter ends of town.