“It felt like the mountains were leaning in just to hear my footsteps.” That was my first impression of Skagway, Alaska—a town wrapped in drama, both natural and historic. Here, glaciers creep quietly toward the sea, while clapboard buildings stand proud like they’re still waiting for the next gold rush. Skagway is a place where stories rise with the morning fog and trails lead somewhere ancient. I came looking for wilderness. I left with windburned cheeks, trail dust on my boots, and a head full of history I didn’t know I’d been missing.
Best Things to Do in Skagway
Davidson Glacier
The trip to Davidson Glacier was half the adventure—a boat ride across Lynn Canal followed by a paddle through an icy lagoon. Our group glided past floating bergs, their surfaces glowing a milky blue that looked almost unreal. When we finally beached the canoes, the glacier towered in silence ahead of us, streaked with ancient dust and sparkling in the sun. I reached out to touch the edge—cold, solid, eternal. “You don’t visit a glacier—you meet it,” I thought, my palm pressed to time itself.
White Pass and Yukon Route Railway
Riding the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway was like slipping into a sepia-toned photograph. The narrow-gauge train hugged cliffs and crossed trestles, the engine chugging steadily toward the clouds. I sat near a window that framed jaw-dropping views—glacial rivers, waterfalls slicing through stone, and snow-dusted peaks stacked like stage backdrops. Inside the wooden cars, everything creaked just right. The guide shared tales of stampeders and survival, but I kept drifting into silence, watching mountains roll by. "This track wasn’t built for speed—it was built for awe,” I thought, as the train disappeared into a tunnel carved from ambition.
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
At the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, Skagway’s wild past came into focus. The preserved downtown buildings looked ready for a film set—false fronts, swinging doors, and all. Inside the visitor center, I followed the desperate, daring stories of fortune seekers heading for the Yukon. There were journals, maps, weathered tools, and black-and-white photos of men half-buried in snow with pickaxes in hand. "This place isn’t just about gold—it’s about grit,” I thought, stepping outside to a boardwalk that had echoed those same boots over a hundred years ago.
Lower Dewey Lake Hiking Trail
I followed the Lower Dewey Lake Hiking Trail next, a steady climb out of town that earned every inch of elevation with switchbacks and moss-lined steps. The air smelled like pine and cool rock. At the top, the lake spread out like a mirror, ringed with spruce and silence. I sat on a boulder at the edge, boots dangling, watching ripples dance across water dark enough to swallow the sky. “This is where noise goes to rest,” I thought.
Back in town, I had lunch at The Glacial Coffeehouse, where I ordered a smoked salmon sandwich with dill cream cheese on fresh sourdough. The bread was soft with just enough crust, and the salmon was rich, cool, and subtly briny. I sat at a sidewalk table, the sandwich wrapped in wax paper, and watched hikers shuffle past with dusty boots and wide smiles.
Skagway Museum and Archives
The Skagway Museum and Archives sat quietly in a former schoolhouse, its wood floors worn smooth by time. Inside, artifacts lined the cases—Tlingit beadwork, vintage maps, a miner’s battered pickaxe. One wall held photographs of early settlers framed in expressions both tired and defiant. There was something deeply local about the whole place, as if every object had a name and a reason to stay here. “This isn’t a museum—it’s memory, carefully shelved,” I thought, turning the corner into a room that still smelled faintly of old paper and pine cleaner.
Yakutania Point - Smuggler’s Cove Trail
The Yakutania Point and Smuggler’s Cove Trail led me out of the harbor and into something wilder. The trail wound through thick coastal forest, where Sitka spruce shaded the path and ravens called from the canopy. At Yakutania Point, the land opened wide to views of Taiya Inlet, with jagged peaks reflected in silver water. Further along, Smuggler’s Cove felt tucked away and cinematic—like the kind of place where secrets are both kept and revealed. “Some hikes tell you where you're going—this one just lets you arrive,” I thought, settling onto a driftwood log for a long, quiet stare across the water.
Captain William Moore Cabin
I ended at the Captain William Moore Cabin, the oldest surviving building in Skagway. The simple log walls and mossy roof stood near the river, quietly defiant. A sign explained Moore’s role in founding the town, scouting trade routes, and weathering brutal winters. I walked a slow loop around the cabin, imagining the crackle of fire inside and the creak of that door on a snowbound morning. “Every town has a heartbeat—sometimes it’s made of wood,” I thought, running my hand along the rough-hewn logs before heading back toward town.
Best Time to Visit
I usually plan my Skagway visits between May and September. That’s when the weather’s warmer, the daylight stretches long, and everything’s in full swing. You’ll love the wildflowers in June and July—I’ve even spotted bald eagles and bears on hikes. If you go in early fall like I have, you’ll enjoy fewer crowds and golden leaves lighting up the mountainsides.
How to Get There
- By Cruise: I’ve cruised in before, and it’s a stunning arrival. You’ll sail through the Inside Passage and dock right near downtown—it’s incredibly easy to explore.
- By Ferry: I’ve also used the Alaska Marine Highway. You’ll travel like the locals do, with scenic ferry rides connecting Skagway to other Southeast Alaska towns.
- By Air: When I’ve flown in, I’ve taken a quick regional flight from Juneau. You’ll land at Skagway Airport (SGY)—small but incredibly scenic.
- By Car: If you’re driving from the Yukon or interior Alaska, I’ve done the drive down the Klondike Highway—it’s one of the most beautiful road trips you’ll ever take.
Where to Stay
- Historic Skagway Inn – I stayed here once and felt like I’d stepped back in time. You’ll enjoy cozy rooms, hearty homemade breakfasts, and the kind of hospitality that sticks with you.
- Westmark Inn Skagway – I’ve recommended this spot for its location and charm. You’ll be close to everything and can relax with a drink at the on-site saloon after a day of exploring.
- Sgt. Preston’s Lodge – I’ve heard great things from fellow travelers. If you want affordability, comfort, and a friendly vibe just steps from town, this one’s a solid choice for you.
Final Thoughts
Skagway wears its history on its sleeve, its mountains on its shoulders, and its wild heart in full view. It’s a town shaped by trailblazers and tides, where every step feels stitched to a larger story. I came chasing waterfalls and old tracks. I left with glacier air in my lungs, gold rush grit in my imagination, and a sense that in places like this, the past isn’t behind you—it’s just a little farther up the trail.
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