klondike tours skagway alaska

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Alerts in effect, persevering through unimaginable obstacles.

Headlines screamed "Gold!" The dream of a better life catapulted thousands of people to Alaska and the Yukon Territory. Their journey shaped them, and changed the people they encountered and the north forever. Today, the park remembers the trails, boomtowns, and stories of the Klondike Gold Rush. Read More

Learn about the newly designated Chilkoot National Historic Trail, plan your Chilkoot hike, or explore photo galleries and history.

Learn about the great human drama that was the mad dash to the far north known as the Klondike Gold Rush.

At Klondike Gold Rush there are two ways you can earn your Junior Ranger badge. Find out how you can start today.

Company L, a unit of Black soldiers, spent 3 years serving their country in Southeast Alaska. Learn about their time taming the frontier.

Courageous women from all walks of life joined the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897-98.

Discover the people, places, and stories of the Klondike Gold Rush.

Last updated: February 1, 2024

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Contact info, mailing address:.

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park P.O. Box 517 Skagway, AK 99840

907 983-9200

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Klondike Tours

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Klondike Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Klondike Tours

Review Highlights

“ And thanks to Joe 's suggestion, we added a new book to our library - the Hidden Life of Trees. ” in 4 reviews

“ Dirk was incredibly funny and an amazing storyteller. ” in 2 reviews

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351 Broadway

Skagway, AK 99840

Serving Skagway Area

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Since 1992, Klondike Tours has been the Skagway go-to for an exploration done right. Our popular expeditions guide you by bus from the trails of '98, through the Klondike Highway, up the White Pass, and into Canada for a day of breathtaking adventure. We pride our business on being more than just a glimpse into Alaska's beauty, though. We also offer the chance for each guest to step off and capture their experiences or choose a more inclusive package. Try your hand at gold panning, play with Yukon puppies, or escape through the awe-inspiring beauty of waterfalls and glaciers with a private tour. With our WhitePass Deluxe, WhitePass VIP Private Tours, or Yukon Dogs and Gold, you can have fun meeting new people or schedule a private tour customized to your preferences. No matter your appetite for adventure, we offer the deals for a memorable day of pure bliss. …

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The 3-Hour White Pass Summit Bus Tour is absolutely magnificent. Bryan made frequent stops along the way and provided fascinating descriptions of the many sights. This is a well established outfit that you can totally trust.

International Falls separating the US (left) from Canada.

Had a great time while in Skagway! Hadn't rode a bike in 30 years, out tour guide was great and the ride was beautiful!! Thanks for the memories

A must-see experience. Joe, our driver, was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. The bus tour runs around fifty dollars and spans roughly three hours. You can reserve a seat in Skagway and they'll pick you up near your ship or in town. Pick up was timely and the spot well explained. Scenic exploration of the entire area with photo taking stops every few minutes. **One note: be sure to have a passport on your person as the excursion crosses Canada at one point.**

Jun 24, 2019

Kalai, now you're in rare company, which means you can brag about your tour to all of your loved ones. Maybe they'll want to experience it as well. We'd love for you to share a few photos with us. Best, Greg Clem, Owner

Amazing tour, and amazing company. Really enjoyed our time on tour, I love the fact that these were local people really knew the area. Nothing like being on the crew ship for dealing with the retail establishments that are just here for the season. They totally went the extra mile to make sure that we had an amazing experience! Most importantly, it's worth the walk into town to invest in the locals. Don't book on the crew ship. It's a rip off. Keep the money in Alaska. And they will appreciate by taking great care of you. We also like the fact that it was a lot more personable. We weren't stuck on some giant big bus with 80 people. Which allowed us more opportunities to stop check out places and not take valuable time getting on and off the bus. About a 10 minute walk right off the boat. And definitely worth it!

Jun 28, 2019

Matthew, we make sure our tour guides are knowledgeable about the area, so our customers can get the most out of the tour. Also, we understand the importance of keeping an intimate number of people on each trip. It makes for a better experience. When you're ready to see the sights again, feel free to reach out to us. - Greg Clem, Owner

Dirk was an amazing tour guide! We were actually having trouble cramming in both sight-seeing and activities for the kids in one tour so this one was perfect! Dirk was incredibly funny and an amazing storyteller. Thanks to Dirk, we were able to see and do some amazing things like seeing the bears, being able to be pulled by the Alaskan huskies, and even get fresh water from a waterfall! Definitely an amazing experience, and would recommend to friends.

Jul 1, 2019

707, Dirk and the rest of our staff work hard to create a personable and fun tour. We want your experience with us to be a highlight of your vacation. When you reminisce about your time here, we hope you'll remember the sights. Thanks, Greg Clem, Owner

Hands down my favorite tour of our 10 day Alaskan vacation thanks to our guide, historian, botanist, story teller, poet and comedian Joe Shepherd. I learned more in our time with him than almost anywhere else. He was a wealth of knowledge and I was captivated by his depth of understanding of the people and the stories of Skagway. He even read us his own poem about the raven. And thanks to Joe's suggestion, we added a new book to our library - the Hidden Life of Trees. Fascinating!Thanks Joe for an unforgettable adventure!

Jul 2, 2019

Michelle, we take pride in our tour guides' versatility. Their knowledge and personable touch help enhance the tour. We're glad you made great memories here. Keep us in mind when you're in the area again. Thanks, Greg Clem, Owner

I took the White Pass Deluxe ride. You get 3 hours of your time with about 8 stops along the way. You don't have to get out of the bus if you don't want to, but the guide always offers to help take photos or allows you to look around for a few minutes if you want to at each stop. You pass the U.S. Border while on the ride and find yourself at the tormented valley. This is such a unique landscape, you will not see anything like it again! The drive is beautiful you get to see cascading waterfalls right by the road and mountains along the way. Joe our tour guide was super informative and had some great jokes too! Definitely recommend taking this tour and one of the best priced bus tours offered in Skagway!!!!

Saw this while on the Klondike Tour!

We waited until off of our boat to book any excursions and it paid off because we ended up getting a pretty good deal on this. I think it was like $35/person. For such a cheap price we decided to give it a go. It wasn't amazing, but it was definitely something to do that allowed us to get to see a bit of the town outside of the touristy shopping streets. The tour guide was pretty funny and gave lots of interesting facts and insight into how the town runs on a normal day. She talked a lot about how much wildlife Alaskan natives see, and have to be aware of, on an every day basis. It wasn't a fantastic, must-do type tour, but it was pretty good! A fairly inexpensive way to spend a few hours, rather than shopping and spending a bunch of money on junk that nobody needs.

Jun 30, 2019

Kendra, we pride ourselves on having a friendly and knowledgeable staff. Our tours go best when you're entertained and informed. If you're ever in our neck of the woods again, feel free to stop by Thanks, Greg Clem, Owner

Great Tour of the sled dogs and mining for gold. Jack was our driver and he was fantastic. Very entertaining and knowledgeable on everything. I would highly recommend this company and tour.

Russ, we want our guest to leave with enough knowledge to lead their own tour. It comes in handy when friends and family ask you about your exciting adventure. Keep us in mind when you're looking to rekindle those memories. Thanks, Greg Clem, Owner

Great tour!! Dirk was very friendly and knowledgeable! Highly recommended if visiting Skagway!

Jul 16, 2019

Meenu, happy to have you on our tours! Thanks so much! Hope to see you again the next time you're in the area. Take care, Greg Clem, Owner

7 other reviews that are not currently recommended

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              Skagway Alaska Tours        (907) 983-3900

A virtual tour of the klondike highway.

The Klondike Highway! Don’t stand in the middle of the road to take a photo, please.

Skagway is one of the three Southeast Alaska towns connected to the rest of the continent by road. That’s pretty neat. Best of all, when you come to Skagway, you can take a tour of this road and see some pretty amazing sights. It’s called the Klondike Highway and today, I am going to take you on a virtual tour of this amazing roadway because I am very nice.

The Klondike Highway is very scenic

How scenic is it? It’s so scenic that it was named one of the top 10 most scenic highways in the world! By me. I named it as such because I’ve driven on a lot of roads and it is definitely one of the most scenic. Congratulations, Klondike Highway!

Our virtual tour of the Klondike Highway begins!

The Klondike Highway starts in Skagway, right in the spot where the cruise ships dock. Just a few miles north, the road begins to ascend toward the White Pass Summit, which is 15 miles away from the start. Along the way, there are some amazing waterfalls, incredible views, and multiple places to pull off the road and take a photo. At the Summit is the Welcome to Alaska sign, which is a popular photo spot. Be on the lookout for hoary marmots, mountain goat, wolverine, bears, and Bigfoots.

The Klondike Highway – Crossing into British Columbia, Canada

When you cross the border, the scenery opens up into a vast panorama. It’s really something. A few miles away is Canadian Customs, where they check your passport for entry into their fine country. They don’t dress like Mounties, which is a little disappointing. This stretch of the Klondike Highway is about 25 miles long and features more amazing scenery and a chance to see just about every variety of northern wildlife imaginable. Around Lake Tutshi, I frequently see lynx roaming about. If you don’t see one, perhaps it’s the missing lynx.

The Klondike Highway – Crossing into The Yukon Territory

Before you know it, you are in the Yukon. There is a big sign that welcomes you there because everyone loves signs. On the mountain peak above the sign, goats and sheep are frequently spotted. They are not barnyard animals, these are wild mountain goats and Dahl sheep. I doubt they know the difference but you will.

The lake to your right is Tagish Lake. I catch a lot of big trout in that lake. The biggest I caught was 30 pounds. I practice fillet-and-release and I can tell you for a fact that it tasted great. You pass some other stuff and it’s all very pretty. This is a good place to see bears. I saw a 1,000-plus pound grizzly bear here one time. It was scary.

After a while, you come to Carcross, which is a small town. Then you pass the world’s smallest desert before coming to Emerald Lake, which is a pretty body of water that people like to photograph. You can keep going from here, but I would just come back to Skagway because that’s enough virtual tour for one day.

I hope you enjoyed this virtual tour of the Klondike Highway, which I just nominated as one of the top 3 most scenic highways in the world. Stay tuned because next week, it might just be Number One!

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© Copyright 2018 M & M Tours. Skagway, Alaska. All rights reserved.

Once the gateway to the Klondike goldfields, Skagway is a small town at the northernmost point of the inside passage. This town of about 1000 full time residents serves as a gateway into the Klondike, and is a popular cruise destination. Made famous as the starting place of the Chilkoot Trail over White Pass to the riches of gold beyond, Skagway is now home to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and a wealth of charming storefronts, scenic tours, and gorgeous vistas. Just down the road is the Tongass National Forest and the ghost town of Dyea, a wonderful and calming escape from the main street's busy boardwalks.

Our Skagway programs access some gorgeous nearby areas for adventure and scenic exploration. From canoeing on Summit lake on the White Pass or hiking the beginning of the Chilkoot Trail, to journeying on the historic White Pass and Yukon Railroad or biking along the old historic townsite of Dyea, there is something for everyone. Great hiking trails, vibrant downtown shopping areas, and access to the interior make this Alaska town one of our favorites.

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Golden circle adventure from juneau, price: $5980*.

Explore the best adventures around the Golden Circle with mountain biking, sea kayaking, canoeing, alpine tundra hiking, distillery tasting, and more. See Alaska and the Yukon the way they were meant to be explored - on unforgettable adventures!

• Destination: Juneau, Haines, Skagway, Whitehorse, Haines Junction, and Carcross
• Activity: Adventure-Program
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Duration: 7 days
• Meeting Point: Juneau

Trip Details

Golden Circle Adventure From Whitehorse

Price: $5810*.

Experience the best adventures around the Golden Circle on this sporty 7-day journey. Mountain biking in the Yukon, kayaking in Glacier Bay, canoeing to and trekking across the Mendenhall Glacier, and coastal hiking await you in the best small towns in Alaska and the Yukon.

• Meeting Point: Whitehorse

SE Alaska Extreme Adventure

Price: $9150*.

Get out and explore some of the most extreme sports available in Southeast Alaska and the Yukon. Access glacial ice climbing via helicopter, mountain bike down incredible single track in the Yukon, hike through the clouds beyond the Juneau tramway, and explore the alpine tundra along the famed White Pass. This itinerary is designed for adventure explorers looking to explore what Alaska and the Yukon have to offer on daily expeditions.

• Destination: Haines and Skagway, AK
• Duration: 11 days

SE Alaska Scenic Exploration

Price: $5410*.

Experience wilderness and jaw-dropping scenery on this 6-day tour of the most breathtaking vistas in Southeast Alaska. Marvel at glaciers 100' tall; see bears, eagles, sea lions, and whales up close; explore rainforest, pristine lakes, and gorgeous fjords. See the best of the best on this scenic extravaganza!

• Destination: Juneau, Skagway, Haines and Gustavus.
• Activity: Scenic-Exploration
• Difficulty: Easy
• Duration: 6 days

Southeast Alaska Adventure

Price: $6325*.

Experience Alaska and the Yukon through jaw-dropping, unique, and exciting active adventures. Trek across glaciers, kayak through pristine seas, fly over Glacier Bay National Park, mountain bike down world-class single-track, hike in alpine tundra, and more on this active 6-day itinerary.

• Destination: Juneau, Skagway, Haines, and Gustavus.

Golden Circle Scenic Exploration – from Whitehorse

Price: $4200*.

Travel the Golden Circle from Whitehorse and explore the towns of Haines, Skagway and Juneau. Experience the beauty of the Southeast Alaska glaciers, native culture, and Yukon Gold Rush history in this 7-day itinerary.

Golden circle scenic exploration – from juneau, price: $5120*.

Travel the Golden Circle from Juneau and explore the towns of Haines, Skagway and Whitehorse. Experience the beauty of Southeast Alaska glaciers, native culture, and Yukon Gold Rush history in this 7-day itinerary.

• Difficulty: Moderate

BRINGING SKAGWAY SHORE EXCURSIONS TO A HIGHER STANDARD !

Bennett Scenic Journey

Immerse yourself into Skagway’s premier tour! Travel the historic 67.5 miles (4.5 hours) by train between Skagway, Alaska, and Carcross, Yukon Territory, Canada, traveling the same route that the Klondike stampeders traversed in 1898!

YUKON RAIL & BUS EXCURSION

WHITE PASS SUMMIT RAIL & BUS EXCURSION

White Pass Summit Rail & Yukon Suspension Bridge  

Our NEWEST tour!! Come join us on the one-way train excursion AND visit the Yukon Suspension Bridge to make your day complete.  Create memories, enjoy the scenery and experience two great tours in one!

YUKON KLONDIKE ADVENTURE

Join us on an entertaining mini-bus tour with an outstanding tour guide that will leave you begging for more! Included with this tour is an adventure well into the Yukon Territory to beautiful Emerald Lake and a visit to Caribou Crossing Trading Post. It is a trip of a lifetime for all ages! 

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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Check out some of our amazing tour photos

Safe: we are committed to guest and staff safety at all times

W e ensure that everyone feels safe while traveling with our company.  This will always be our first priority.

Clean: Heightened hygiene & sanitation protocols

Enhanced cleaning protocols throughout entire experience. Hand sanitizer available on all tours.

Informed: staff trained on current guidelines

Training to keep up to date on safety standards.  Collaboration with local partners to make sure we are all working together.

Professional: Taking a proactive approach

We’ve implemented these strategies so you can relax and be inspired by the spectacular scenery that our area has to offer.

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Skagway White Pass Railroad Summit Excursion & Train Tour

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• Reviews (645)

Excursion Overview

Take an unforgettable journey aboard skagway's scenic railway.

The Skagway White Pass Railroad Summit Excursion is our most popular Skagway excursion! Begin your excursion as you board the train in Skagway and travel 20 miles from tidewater to the Summit of the White Pass - a 2,865-foot elevation! Every passenger enjoys vast canyon views and complimentary bottled water throughout the fully narrated tour. On this Skagway train tour, relax in vintage passenger coaches as you retrace the original route to the White Pass summit, passing Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point, and Dead Horse Gulch. Enjoy a breathtaking panorama of mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, trestles, and historic sites along the White Pass Railroad. See the original Klondike Trail of 1898 worn into the rocks, a permanent tribute to the thousands of souls who passed this way in search of fortune. Passports are NOT required for this tour. Passenger coaches are heated and are equipped with restrooms. Please specify if you are traveling with a wheelchair. There is a short walk to the meeting location - a shuttle is available to take for an additional price paid to the shuttle driver day of.

Train Sold Out? Explore scenic Skagway another way!

Due to high demand, you may notice certain dates are unavailable to book for the 2024 season. Discover additional excursions to explore the White Pass, Klondike Highway, Yukon Territory, and more: Skagway Sightseeing and Yukon Tours

Train tours in October 2024:

Please note that from October 6th-23rd 2024, a slightly shorter tour, Journey to Inspiration Point will be operating. This shortens the Summit tour by a little more than a mile to allow for ongoing bridge maintenance before the snow arrives. A reduced fare will be reflected in your shopping cart due to the change in tour length.

Things You Need to Know

Inclusions:.

• Bottled water

Requirements:

• There are no additional requirements for this excursion.

Duration: 2.75 hours (Roundtrip from downtown Skagway.)

• 2.75 hours - roundtrip scenic train trip to White Pass Summit

Meeting Instructions:

• This tour meets at the Skagway Train Depot. Fully detailed instructions are included on your finalized ticket vouchers.

ADA Accessibility of Tour:

• This tour is wheelchair/mobility scooter accessible. Guests that require accessibility accommodations, must go to the train depot 30 minutes before departure for additional time in loading. However, space is limited in lift-equipped cars. An optional shuttle, the Skagway Municipal and Regional Transit (SMART Bus) is available to take guests to/from the docks to the Train Depot for an additional fee on the day of the tour. Please leave a comment during checkout if accessibility accommodations will be required. If the operator is unaware beforehand of necessary accommodations, they may not be able to accommodate guests the day of.

Refund Policy:

• You may cancel for any reason up to seven (7) days prior to the date of the tour for a full refund.
• Please see our Refund Policy Page for complete details.

Tours can be canceled for any reason up until seven (7) days prior to the date of the tour for a full refund unless otherwise noted on the individual tour product page in the Things to Know section. To cancel a tour, please use the cancelation request link within your e-ticket that was emailed to you OR send an email to  [email protected] with the following information:

- Order number

- Tour you are canceling

- Number of passengers you wish to cancel

Within 0-7 days before the tour date, cancelations are eligible for a full refund only in the following scenarios:

- The tour is canceled by the tour operator for any reason (for example: bad weather or mechanical issue)

- You experience a medical emergency during this window and can provide documentation (documentation must be submitted within 30 days to receive a refund)

- Your ship changes port itineraries causing you to miss an excursion

All refunds are processed through Alaska Shore Excursions, and will not be processed through any cruise line or local tour provider. Refunds will appear under Alaska Shore Excursions on your bank/credit card statement. Credit card refunds are processed within 10 business days of the request. Exceptions to the refund policy include multi-day packages and some day tours. Please refer to the specific refund policy listed on the individual tour product page.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a valid passport is not required for this tour.

There is a short walk to the meetup location. Guests have the option to purchase tickets for the Skagway Municipal and Regional Transit (SMART Bus)

No, although you will be entering Canada on this tour you will not be permitted to exit the train until it returns to Skagway.

Yes, each train car is equipped with a restroom.

Yes, this tour is a scenic train trip up and down the mountain pass.

Each rail car holds approximately 43 passengers. We do not assign seats, passengers will be instructed by the Station Master which train car they are welcome to board. Once in the assigned car, passengers are free to choose any seat available. Passengers will not be given their car assignment until the day of travel when they meet with the Station Master.

Guests must be able to climb steps into the train and bus. This tour has limited wheelchair accessible seating available upon request.

Layered clothing is recommended, it is possible for slight temperature drops due to elevation however the train cars are heated.

There are no age restrictions for this tour.

Backpacks, small bags, and purses are allowed on this tour.

Non-alcoholic beverages in closeable containers and snacks are allowed on tour.

Bottled water is included.

Check out other frequently asked questions  here !

Guest Reviews

On oct 2023.

The excursion was amazing. The trains are pristine and perfectly restored. The scenery was beautiful. The cars were warm and comfortable on a cold, drizzly day. I highly recommend.

This was an ABSOLUTELY AMAZING experience. If you re debating on rather or not you should do this excursionâ go for it.

This train ride was amazing, it was definitely one of our highlights of our trip to Alaska. I would definitely recommend this excursion.

such a beautiful scenic tour. the guide was very informative would definitely do again

On Sep 2023

I enjoyed the Skagway White Pass Railroad Summit Excursion. It had beautiful mountain and stream views and we were giving a great deal of information as we traveled up the Summit. I would highly recommend this tour.

• Reviews Showing: 645

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Duration: 2.75 hours

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Adult: $ 146.00

Child (3-12): $ 73.00

Infant (Free Under 3): $ 0.00

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Skagway Bicycle Tours

Klondike bicycle tour.

Duration: 2.75 hours

Distance: 15 miles           Rating:  Moderate

Restrictions:  Minimum age is 13 and minimum height is 4' 6", passport required

Retrace the historic gold rush route while coasting down from the White Pass Summit on a bicycle!

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy an intimate tour environment with a 1:6 guide to guest ratio.
• See the historic White Pass Summit and White Pass Trail.
• Coast downhill on a mountain bike.
• Experience three different climate zones - the alpine, sub-alpine, and temperate coast.

“We rode the Klondike Bicycle Tour. It was the most scenic bike adventure I’ve ever been on!”  Kevin Hays, St Johns, MI

"A great time! An easy bike ride down a mountain with the most incredible views! An absolute must for those wishing to see the sites outside Skagway." Princess C.R.U.I.S.E. comment

White Pass Train and Bike Tour

Duration : 4.5 hours

Distance : 15 miles of biking  Rating : Moderate

Restrictions : Minimum age is 13 and the minimum height is 4' 6", passport required

Join us on a wonderful combination of two great excursions for an encompassing experience of the Skagway area!

After a bicycle and safety orientation, it is fifteen scenic miles downhill from the summit to the sea!  As you coast along the paved Klondike Highway on this one and a half hour bike ride you make multiple stops for photos of the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, cascading waterfalls, awe-inspiring glaciers, majestic mountains, and other historic sites.  You even get to ride your bike across the US border!  After your thrilling ride, enjoy time in historic downtown Skagway.

On this tour your senses awaken to sights and sounds of Alaska that can only be experienced on two wheels.  This fun excursion offers a unique way to tour Skagway and the surrounding area.  Experience the great Northern outdoors, get some fresh air and go biking with Alaska’s original bike touring company!

• Combine two great excursions: a historic train trip up the White Pass and a bike ride down.
• Enjoy an intimate touring environment with a 1:6 guide to guest ratio.
• An encompassing experience of the Skagway Valley.
• Informative and fun guides!

Notes: Participants must be confident on a bicycle with hand brakes coasting downhill at speeds between 15 and 25 MPH (23 - 40 KPH).  Passports and other necessary immigration documents are required for US and Canadian border inspection.   Helmets are required.  Participants must be at least 13 years old and 4’ 6” in height.  Sport shoes and layered clothing are recommended.  Rain/wind jacket, pant, and fleece gloves are provided.  The ride is approximately 15 miles.  Tour time may vary depending on delays at the US Border crossing.  A snack is included on this trip.

"This was a "wow" tour. Biking...was fun, exhilarating and the energy was positive. Highly recommended!" Cheryl Spielman

STAMP YOUR TICKET

The klondike experience.

Stamp your ticket for the Klondike and join us for an educational experience highlighting the excitement, the joy and the tradition of the world's perfect beverage, BEER . Brewer led, interpretive programs take place within the brewery production area, require closed-toe footwear and last 30 minutes. Must have valid ID and be 21+ for sensory evaluation and product dissection.

$20 per person, Safety glasses and samples provided. Space is limited, reserve today. Tours daily at 2:00 and 4:00 PM. 

NATIONAL PARKS TO VISIT ON AN ALASKA NATIONAL PARK CRUISE

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With a little planning, you can turn your Alaska Cruise into an unforgettable Alaska National Park Cruise and get to see and explore some of the most jaw-dropping National Parks.

Alaska National Park Cruise

With major ports in Seattle Washington, Whittier Alaska, and Seward Alaska, the majority of Alaska Cruises either depart and/or end in Alaska and Washington giving you access to 11 of the 63 National Parks plus numerous other National Park managed sites.

Alaska itself has 8 designated National Parks and a total of 24 National Park Sites

Washington provides yet another 3 Designated National Parks and a total of 15 National Park sites.

Some of the longer voyages start in San Francisco California which boasts 9 Designated National Parks and a total of 28 National Parks sites!

Alaska itself is an adventure but making it an Alaska National Park Cruise makes it the ultimate adventure!

Seattle, Washington 

Seattle is typically the beginning and/or end of an Alaska Cruise. You can take a seven-day roundtrip inside passage cruise that stops at ports like Juneau, AK, Skagway, AK, Ketchikan, AK, Icy Strait Point, AK, Sitka, AK, and Victoria B.C.  They also have a scenic cruising day for either Glacier Bay National Park or Tracy Arm Fjord.

There are also Seven-day voyages that either travel Northbound or Southbound with South end ports being either Seattle, San Francisco , or Vancouver BC and the North end ports being Seward, AK, or Whittier, AK for Anchorage.

Here is a list of National Park options for each port of call.

Olympic National Park is one of the prettiest sights you will ever take in. It doesn’t matter if you are standing on Hurricane Ridge starring out at snow-capped mountain peaks, walking through the Hoh Rainforest , trying to see how far you can reach your arms around the Giant Spruce Tree, or walking the ocean beach you will be taking home a lifetime of memories!

Mount Rainier National Park demands your attention, especially on that rare nice sunny day.  It is easily seen all over Western Washington including Seattle. The views from the mountain are epic too! My advice is to take the skyline trail where on a sunny day you can see Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, and Mount Hood at the same time! Don’t forget about the wildflowers too! They tend to be in bloom around June depending on the weather and the snowfall.

North Cascades National Park borders Canada and has one of the most scenic drives in the National Parks system. Highway 20 (Open Seasonally due to the amount of snowfall) has breathtaking views of the mountains. Stopping to see Diablo Lake and Ross Lake is a must along with lacing up your boots and exploring its pristine wilderness!

Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Site- Seattle Unit is located in downtown Seattle and tells the story of Seattle’s role of the stampede to the Yukon Gold Fields!

Wing Luke Museum Affiliated Area (Seattle) is your opportunity to understand what it is/was to be an Asian American in the Pacific Northwest.

Scenic Day of Cruising at Glacier Bay National Park  

Glacier Bay National Park is mostly seen by cruise ship visitors, in fact, less than 1 percent of all park visitors visit Glacier Bay by land!

This is mostly due to its remoteness and lack of services anywhere near this gem.

The good news is that a Park Naturalist is often onboard the cruise ship as it sails inside Glacier Bay.  Park Rangers will set up a pop-up visitor center available for cruise ship guests. They also assist in spotting wildlife and explaining Glacier Bay. Visitors can see Humpback whales, Orca Whales, puffins, bears, Stellar Sea Lions, Sea Otters, Bald Eagles and numerous other seabirds!

Park Ranger John Pro Tip:

For those 1 percenters that make it to Glacier Bay National Park by either flying into Gustavus, Alaska, or taking the ferry are in for a great experience!

The park has four designated trails, a beautiful lodge, a campground, and a park visitor center with a dining room and gift store.

There is also a tour boat that has full-day excursions into Glacier Bay. I enjoyed this boat tour as it is much smaller than a cruise ship and was able to get much closer to the shores, the massive glaciers,  and wildlife and had a much more personal experience.

Juneau, Alaska

Juneau is the capital of Alaska. It is also only accessible by boat or plane as there are no roads leading out.

It is also where I experienced a Duck Fart for the first time at the Red Dog Saloon, a truly Alaskan experience!

While there are no National Parks in Juneau, you can still have a great time outdoors!

Mendenhall Glacier is part of the Tongass National Forest and is a common cruise ship excursion stop. For a great reason too, it has amazing views of the Mendenhall Glacier!  It also has several Ice Caves. The most photographed are quite challenging to reach and are on the West flank of the Glacier.

Whale Watching Excursion

is one of the most popular excursions in Juneau. I love this tour and have seen numerous Humpback and Orca Whales. I even saw Humpback whales bubble net feeding and breaching out of the water!

Skagway, Alaska

Skagway is best known for the gold rush and the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad which runs vintage locomotives past the famously steep Chilkoot Trail offering incredible views of the mountains as it climbs to Canada

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Alaska Unit

in August of 1896, gold was found in the tributary of the Klondike River in Canada’s Yukon Territory. This set off one of the greatest gold rushes in history as gold seekers boarded ships from places like Seattle and headed to Skagway and Dyea where their journey began a 600-mile trip to the goldfields of the Klondike River. A big part of the city of Skagway is preserved as part of the park and tells all about the experiences of being in Skagway during these times.

You can also take one of the Train Excursions up the pass and the railroad parallels the path the gold miners took to get to the gold fields. Sit back and relax and wonder how difficult it must have been carrying a year's worth of supplies up this mountain pass!

There is also a Wildlife excursion that takes you to Haines Alaska just across the bay. This was one of my favorite trips as we saw several Grizzly bears!

Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan is known for Creek Street, and its Native American Totem Poles that are located throughout town. Totem Bight State Historic Park had 14 restored or replaced poles in large with help from the Civilian Conservation Corps(CCC) before World War 2 began.

Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness is a part of the Tongass National Forest along with Mendenhall Glacier. Its 2.2 Million acres of wilderness was set aside by President Jimmy Carter in 1978. There are two options; take a floatplane and see the Misty Fjords or take an approximately 4.5-hour boat tour to get to Misty Fjords.

Totem Bight State Park

is an incredible State Park with 14 remastered Totems, and a Clan House all along a beautiful forested trail!

Sitka, Alaska

Sitka has a population of well under 10,000 inhabitants. It also shows its Russian roots with the Russian Orthodox St. Michael’s Cathedral and the Russian Bishop’s House. There is a very nice visitor center and a nice hiking trail with several Totem Poles spread throughout the forest.

Sitka National Historic Park

preserves the site of a battle between invading Russian traders and indigenous Kiks. and Tlingit.

Visitors should also take the park's coastal trail with totem poles from the Tlingit and Haida.

Seward, Alaska, and Whittier Alaska for Anchorage Alaska

Cruise ships don’t actually arrive in Anchorage; they dock in either Whittier or Seward.

Both cities are a good hour from Anchorage. Luckily Kenai Fjords is in Seward and well worth visiting!

Perhaps the most popular activity is taking a day boat trip to Aialik Bay from Seward.

Wildlife is abundant here and I have seen Humpback Whales, Orca Whales, sea otters, sea lions, black bears, puffins, and numerous other species!

You can also drive up to the  Exit Glacier area where there is primitive camping and hiking.

For those wanting an adventure, you can hike the Harding Ice Field Trail up to the Harding Ice Field.

Warning: this trail will test you as its 8.2 miles out and back and has over 3000' in elevation gain.

Kenai Fjords National Park is located in Seward Alaska. The Harding Icefield is Kenai Fjords crowning feature with nearly 40 glaciers flowing from it!

Here you can also see the effects of climate change through its shrinking glaciers.

I was shocked to see the change in eight short years!

You can take a hike to the Harding Icefield or perhaps take a boat tour and hopefully see one of its many glaciers calving.

Denali National Park and Preserve is one of the jewels of the National Parks System! It boasts six million acres with only a single road traveling into its interior! Cruise ship passengers doing the North to South or vice versa Alaska Cruise have the option of adding on an optional tour taking them to Denali National Park. Visitors have a great chance of seeing the Big 5 animals: moose, bear, Dall sheep, caribou, and Gray Wolves! Those lucky enough must have a keen eye and continue scanning the tundra and bush.  Did you know that Denali has working sled dogs? They are vital for Denali, and you can visit the Kennels! The kennels are typically open year-round from 8 am-5 pm except when they are in the park (frequent in the winter).

I would also highly suggest taking the Tundra Wilderness Tour.

This narrated bus tour is a 5-5.5 hour roundtrip bus tour that takes you up the main park road well past where personal vehicles are allowed in the summer giving you the opportunity to see Mount Denali, the tallest mountain in North America at 20,310 feet in elevation!

Wildlife is abundant along this road so keep your eyes peeled.

San Francisco, California

San Francisco is full of history! It also has perhaps the sexiest bridge in the world. The San Francisco Bay area alone boasts 11 National Parks sites in the immediate area with two more big National Parks only a couple hours away.

Muir Woods National Monument is an unbelievable place to visit! You are 15 miles from downtown San Francisco, and yet you feel that you are completely in tune with nature. There is not a single building in sight, no sounds from the city, only a stand of trees including the massive California Redwoods. Every city in the world should only be so lucky to have a treasure like this!

Yosemite National Park is another of the National Park Crown Jewels! Guaranteed you will never forget the first time you look into the Yosemite Valley. Half Dome, El Capitan, and Bridal Veil Falls will become your new standard for epic views!

Just remember that Yosemite now requires a reservation to enter the park between April and October. Make sure to click this link and make a reservation

Pinnacles National Park is located south of the bay area. We were attracted to the National Parks 59 th of 60 National Parks in search of the California Condor.

We saw many varieties of birds but were unable to catch a glimpse of a Condor.

Pinnacles is also known for some epic hikes. Just make sure to show up early enough to get a parking spot.

Make sure to check out my post on the 12 National Park Sites in the San Francisco Bay Area !

Planning a National Park vacation? America the Beautiful/National Park Pass covers entrance fees for an entire year to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites.

The park pass covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and for up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

Buy on  REI.com  and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

Free Entrance Days  -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.

Make sure and also check out all the great National Parks in California , National Parks in Washington , and Alaska National Parks . If you like cruising,  make sure to also check out Cruising to America's National Parks - Caribbean Ports of Call and Cruising to America's National Parks - Hawaii Ports of Calls for more ideas on cruises to take.

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Skagway (Alaska)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Alaska

Local Time 2024-04-04 00:05

Port Skagway cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Skagway, Alaska. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Skagway is an Alaskan cruise port located on the northernmost point of Inside Passage . The town has population around 1,000 and lies in the narrow plain of Skagway River (at the head of Lynn Canal).

Skagway is also the northern terminus of Alaska Marine Highway (abbre AMH, state-operated ferry service). The settlement was familiar to thousands of gold rushers as the gateway to the Alaskan goldfields. It offered the shortest route to Klondike, but it was far beyond from being the easiest one. The gold rush was a blessing for Skagway and by 1898 the town became the largest in Alaska (with population ~20,000). When in 1900 the gold yield dwindled, Skagway's population of mostly miners shifted to Nome .

To serve the tourist influx during summer, Skagway's population doubles. Port Skagway (locode USSGY) is among the most popular Alaskan cruise ship stops. For mainly tourism purposes is operated the White Pass Yukon Route (abbrev WPYR) gauge railroad. This service runs throughout the summer months only. The railroad is also used for shipping copper ore from Alaska's interior.

Of all the tourists (~1 million annually), roughly 3/4 are cruise ship passengers. Most tourists come here to visit the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, as well as the Coast Mountains' White Pass Trail (from Skagway to Yukon River and the lakes Crater, Lindeman, and Bennett) and Chilkoot Trail (33-m / 53-km long trail connecting Dyea AK with Bennett BC Canada). The town has a historical district with ~100 gold rush era authentic buildings.

In June 2018,  Carnival Corporation (via the subsidiary company Holland America - Princess Alaska Tours) entered into a deal to purchase "White Pass and Yukon Route" division of the company TWC Enterprises Ltd. The deal included Skagway's White Pass Dock/Port, also railroad (White Pass Scenic Railway) and retail operations. The money transaction was scheduled for July 31.

Skagway's most popular "shore excursion" options for cruise tourists include White Pass Railroad Excursion (aka White Pass Summit Excursion, provided by the train travel company White Pass & Yukon Railroad), Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (30-min live presentations given by a ranger), Yakutania Point (overlooking Tailya Inlet, walking and hiking), Dewey Lake Trail hiking (the Lower loop has length 2,5-mi/4-km, the Upper loop has length 3 mi/5 km).

The most-booked White Pass Summit Excursion features traveling in vintage coaches (pulled by an original steam locomotive) on the route to the White Pass Summit. The route passes attractions like Bridal Veil Falls (waterfall flowing from Lake Serene to South Fork Skykomish River), Inspiration Point Mine, Dead Horse Gulch (3000+ horses died on the trail during the Klondike Gold Rush, and their bones can still be seen near the summit). The unique train travel also features breathtaking views of the mountains, glaciers, gorges, tunnels.

In June-July-August 2022, three rockslides caused damage to the port, the dock used for the mountain train excursion remained closed for the rest of the season, and dozens of cruise ships were diverted to other Alaskan ports.

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A history of novelty songs about Alaska

In genres like rock, country and rockabilly, the songs reference alaska’s midnight suns, sourdoughs, cheechakos and cold winters..

The cover of a Japanese vinyl pressing of “A Rock n Roll Girl from Alaska” (1977) by Tanya Tucker

Part of a continuing weekly series on Alaska history by local historian David Reamer. Have a question about Anchorage or Alaska history or an idea for a future article? Go to the form at the bottom of this story.

At one point or another, regarding almost every aspect great and small, whether positive or negative, so many people have gazed with wonder at Alaska and thought to themselves, “I could make some real money off that.” The scale varies, from mosquito plushies to oil plundering, but the modern throughline is consistent and nigh constant. Alaska has been repeatedly exploited for financial gain, sometimes by Alaskans, too often for the betterment of outsiders.

The simplest way to exploit Alaska is to leverage its cachet and continuing natural, exotic appeal. The easiest way of doing that is to slap the word “Alaska” on a product. Think of the dessert Baked Alaska, which has a more convoluted origin than the traditional myth as an 1867 New York restaurant creation but nonetheless was certainly not from Alaska, merely borrowing the name. Beginning in earnest with the Klondike gold rush, the idea of Alaska has been used to sell everything from board games to movies to bottled water, an early example of the latter in an upcoming article. And among the smallest such examples, yet not the least interesting, are the Alaska novelty songs.

Novelty songs are somewhat difficult to define apart from their generally less than serious tone, though there are exceptions even for that. They have been popular for more than a century and originate from any genre. They are typically centered on a gimmick, like a joke, singular event, specific place, or passing cultural trend. “My Ding-a-Ling” by Chuck Berry, “Barbie Girl” by Aqua, and “The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)” by Ylvis are novelty songs. “Alaska” by Maggie Rogers is not a novelty song, though namechecking Alaska is a common trait of novelty songs about Alaska. As a rough rule, a song might be considered a novelty when the gimmick is more important than the music.

While the concept is enduring, novelty songs have endured peaks and valleys in popularity. One such peak began in the late 1940s, corresponding with increased interest in Alaska given the march toward statehood. While not specifically about Alaska, “When the Ice Worms Nest Again” merits mention. The song, perhaps written during the Klondike gold rush, refers to the classic sourdough prank on newcomers, pressuring them to down a drink with an “ice worm,” really just a piece of spaghetti marked with eyes.

Numerous covers were performed in the 1940s and 1950s by country acts with fantastic names, including Wilf Carter with the Calgary Stampeders, Bud Alden and the Buckaroos, and Smilin’ Johnnie and his Prairie Pals. The lyrics vary slightly from version to version, but per one version, “In the land of the pale blue snow, where it’s 45 below, and the polar bears are roaming o’er the plain, in the shadow of the pole, you can clasp me to your soul, we’ll be happy when the ice worms nest again.”

“April in Fairbanks,” written by Jane Connell for the 1956 Broadway revue “New Faces in 1956,” was one of the more unique examples of this trend, most notably given its relative success. Most commonly associated with singer Alice Ghostley, the song notes, “You’ve never known the charm of Spring until you hear a walrus sighing. The air is perfumed with the smell of blubber frying. April in Fairbanks; you’ll suddenly discover a polar bear’s your lover, in Fairbanks.” Connell was clearly more interested in the lyrics and jokey concept of trying to find love in a frigid Fairbanks.

Musicians Johnny and Betty Jo Starr, formerly of Palmer, moved to Montana in 1953 but kept Alaska somewhat close to their hearts. On their own Alaska Records, they released a series of vinyl singles over the decade. As Betty Jo Starr and the Alaskans, Betty Jo and Johnny Starr, and Johnny Starr and the Alaskans, their songs included “Alaska Waltz,” “Copper Colored Klootch,” “Eskimo Boogie,” “I’m a Cheechako,” “Son of a Sourdough,” “Song of Anchorage,” “Song of Fairbanks,” “The 49th Star,” and a cover of “When the Ice Worms Nest Again. These tracks are each about as deep as their titles suggest. “I’m a Cheechako” opens with, “Now, I was among the many that came up Alaska way. Oh, I landed up in Seward, out in Resurrection Bay. From there I went to Anchorage, my fortune I would make, but I’m still a big cheechako, and I haven’t made my stake.”

The Starrs likely made some return visits north. “Eskimo Boogie” works like an itinerary for an Alaska tour, namedropping several well-known — infamous — Alaska bars, like the Mecca and Riverside in Fairbanks, the Malemute and Last Chance in Anchorage, and the Fireside Lounge and Buckaroo in a then-independent Spenard. The lyrics declare, “Well, we headed for the Malemute and we almost died. It was burned to the ground, so we knew that he lied.” The Malemute Saloon burned down on the night of Jan. 17-18, 1957, part of a large blaze that took four businesses and threatened a wide swath of downtown Anchorage.

Alaska novelty songs reached their zenith around 1959, as singers nationwide rushed for their celebratory take on the new state. The Rebelaires’ 1958 upbeat rocker “Alaska Rock,” the Huskies’ straightforward 1958 “Alaska, U.S.A.,” Macky Kasper’s 1959 jazz instrumental “Alaska Song,” Larry and Dixie Davis’ 1959 rockabilly song “Welcome Alaska,” Freddie Bearden’s “Alaska the 49th Star,” and several more like them came and went with little notice.

Lawton William’s 1958 country song “Alaska vs. Texas” stands out in this period. Exploiting a trend within a trend about Texan jealousy over Alaska statehood, Williams sings, “Oh, the Texan takes his Lincoln to round up his cattle herd, and children drive to school each day in a brand-new Thunderbird, but Texas pride is hurting now for they have just been told, that Alaska is the biggest state, and the place is full of gold.” Jokes and insults were thrown both ways as Alaska and Texas engaged in a brief and mostly friendly feud.

There were ramshackle comedic efforts at the lower end, like the 1958 “The Cool Alaska Rock & Roll (Part 1)” by Peter Lind Hayes and Mary Healy. “Part 2″ was the B-side. “C’mon and dance with me ‘cause I ain’t no square. I’m a gonna hug you tight like a polar bear.” Still, it is perhaps better than the 1965 “Big Fat Alaskan” by Donnie and the Outcasts, which leans into repeating the title.

In more Alaska-adjacent novelty songs, there were several releases about the midnight sun, such as the Pink Cloud’s 1967 “Midnight Sun.” Yes, most novelty songs skimp on the title. Al Oster, the longtime Yukon balladeer (1924-2017), repeatedly mined the legends and traditions of the north for new songs. And in his hands, something like the 1960 “Midnight Sun Rock” is barely a novelty.

Gary Williams’ 1964 country track “Alaska” has one of the more confounding lines in Alaska novelty songs. Williams, a Grand Old Opry traveling show mainstay for several years, was hopefully being ironic when he sings, “Like Soapy Smith and Dan McGrew, I’m gonna make my fortune too.” Both characters, the real Skagway gangster and the imaginary prospector, respectively, met their ends in shootouts. Regardless, this was one of the more successful Alaska novelty songs with solid airplay outside the state.

Even the Alaska natural disasters had novelty songs. Blue Ervin quickly released “Alaska Earthquake” after the March 27, 1964 Good Friday Earthquake. “Blue Ervin” was Ervin C. Elswick, an Army sergeant then stationed in Anchorage. Longtime residents might remember his radio show. The song itself is an anodyne effort, never rising above a tepid, simple recounting of events though taking the good time to praise Alaskans: “Anchorage and Whittier, Seward and Kodiak, all suffered greatly when the earth began to crack. They all are rebuilding their homes and stores once more, for these are great people, living on Alaska’s shore.”

If Anchorage had an earthquake song, Fairbanks had to have a flood song. In the wake of the severe August 1967 flood, Ted Harris released “The Fairbanks Flood,” a solid rockabilly jam.

In 1977, Tanya Tucker released “A Rock n Roll Girl from Alaska.” The country legend, notably not from Alaska, is undoubtedly more talented than novelty songwriters, even that early in her career. However, the song was only released in Japan as a 7-inch vinyl single as part of a coffee promotion, a novelty item if nothing else. “‘Cause I’m a rock’n roll girl from Alaska, from the ice block homes far away, but rocks of ice are so cold — and rock is nicer with roll, so the city is where I’ll stay.”

The back cover of a Japanese vinyl pressing of “A Rock n Roll Girl from Alaska” (1977) by Tanya Tucker

These are only a few of the many Alaska novelty songs that, when viewed together, illustrate a shared flaw. They are generally not specific enough to be genuinely Alaskan. Midnight suns, sourdoughs, cheechakos, and cold winters are lazy references, good enough for the outsiders. Where are the songs about potholes, massive breakup puddles, saying snowmachine versus snowmobile, picking berries, or shipping costs? Has there been a ballad of the white raven yet?

Key sources:

“ Al Oster, ‘Northland Balladeer’ Who Wrote About Yukon, Dead at 92 .” CBC Radio-Canada, October 30, 2017.

Discogs. Discogs.com .

“Fire Wipes Out Four Businesses.” Anchorage Daily Times, January 18, 1957, 1, 9.

“New Record.” Anchorage Daily News, January 9, 1959, 12.

David Reamer | Histories of Alaska

David Reamer is a historian who writes about Anchorage. His peer-reviewed articles include topics as diverse as baseball, housing discrimination, Alaska Jewish history and the English gin craze. He’s a UAA graduate and nerd for research who loves helping people with history questions. He also posts daily Alaska history on Twitter @ANC_Historian.

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