The Best Skagway Independent Shore Excursions

 

Skagway is home to only about a thousand year-round residents, it becomes one of Alaska's busiest destinations each summer as visitors arrive to experience its remarkable history and scenery.

The town rose to fame during the Klondike Gold Rush, when tens of thousands of hopeful prospectors came through on their way to the gold fields in Yukon. Today, much of the downtown area has been carefully preserved as part of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. During a stroll through town, you can imagine life during the gold rush.  The most common comment we hear is that it’s looks like a movie.

One of the highlights of any visit is riding the historic White Pass & Yukon Route. This narrow-gauge railroad climbs high into the mountains, winding through tunnels, across dramatic trestle bridges, and past waterfalls and deep valleys. The views are spectacular, and the journey offers a glimpse of the difficult route that gold seekers once traveled on foot. Your cruise ship will have several options for the train ride. This tends to work out best to book this excursion through the cruise line. 

Nature is everywhere in Skagway. The town is surrounded by steep, snow-capped peaks, dense forests, and glacial rivers. Depending on the season and a bit of luck, you might spot bald eagles soaring overhead, mountain goats on rocky cliffs, harbor seals in the water, or even bears foraging along the shoreline or nearby streams. If you enjoy hiking, there are trails ranging from easy walks to challenging climbs, including sections of the famous Chilkoot Trail, where thousands of stampeders once carried heavy supplies toward the Yukon. Haines, Alaska is a short ferry ride away. As of August 2026, the ferry docks were closed due to instability.

Click here for a full list of all of these excursions. Or click the title of the excursion below. This will give you more information about the excursion. If you book through this link, Trips with Angie will get a small commission and a copy of your booking. If you’ve booked your cruise through Trips with Angie, we can double check the timing and add it to your itinerary.

Discover the art of small-batch distilling at Skagway Spirits tour, a family-run distillery nestled in the heart of Skagway. Start your tour with  a scenic drive through the historic district and a visit to the breathtaking Skagway Overlook. At the distillery, you’ll get  an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the distillation process. Sample handcrafted cocktails made from locally sourced ingredients. A drink from a curated menu crafted by skilled mixologists is included. Transportation is included from the cruise port.

While in Skagway port, Alaska, hop across the border to spend the day discovering the treasures of the Yukon, Canada with a full-day tour. This comprehensive tour travels along the Klondike Highway by minibus.  We think you’ll enjoy the mountain scenery and possible wildlife sightings. Visit Wild Adventure Yukon to check out its interesting wildlife museum and a dogsled camp.   A hearty lunch is included. Valid passports are required, with visas if necessary. Includes port pick-up and drop-off.

Discover the Chilkoot Trail by foot and water on this small group half-day hike and float shore excursion from Skagway. After a scenic van ride, embark on a moderate, 2-mile (3.2-kilomter) guided trek with just a small group. Then, climb aboard a rubber raft for a tranquil float down the Taiya River, all while learning more about local sights and history. Round-trip transport from the port is included.

Explore the highlights of  Skagway with a Skagway City and Summit Tour via a comfortable bus that picks up from all cruise ports for ultimate convenience. This tour covers the highlights: White Pass summit for a photo with the Welcome to Alaska sign, scenic Pitchfork Falls, the Canadian border, and the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitors Center to learn the history of the gold rush era. Transportation from the port is included.

Ready to walk across a scenic suspension bridge?  This Yukon Suspension Bridge and Summit Tour picks you up from your ship and takes you to White Pass Summit and the Yukon Suspension Bridge. Afterward, you’re driven back to the port. It’s simple scenic drive with a stop to explore the bridge.

This is not a run-of-the-mill sled excursion—Musher's Camp® & Sled Dog Adventure in Skagway packs in several fun activities and concludes with a treat that’s hard not to love. Follow your guide on a short tour of downtown Skagway. At the camp, you’ll board a multipurpose, all-wheel drive vehicle for a ride up a mountain. You’ll board a sled for a ride along a dirt path with Alaskan huskies through Tongass National Park. Afterward, get a chance to spend time with husky puppies. The meeting spot for this tour is about a 10 minute walk from the port.

Want to do it all? Discover the highlights of the Yukon and British Columbia and learn more about its history, nature and local culture with this Bridge, Puppies, and Summit Triple Combo in Skagway tour. Visit key landmarks such as the Yukon Suspension Bridge and Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park.  Enjoy plenty of photo opportunities at cascading waterfalls, valleys and glaciers. Then, prepare for a big dose of cuteness at a dog sled camp where playful husky puppies await your cuddles. The pick-up point for this tour is at the cruise terminal.

Soar over glacial waterfalls and stunning Alaska scenery on this Grizzly Falls ziplining excursion. Meet your guide at the dock and enjoy an entertaining trip through historic Skagway on your way to Dyea. The course features multiple ziplines and suspension bridges to give you views of the surrounding Tongass National Forest. The meeting spot for this tour is a 10 minute walk from the port.

Immerse yourself in some Alaska's most dramatic natural scenery—and enjoy a personalized, relaxing way to sightsee—on this small-group, river-float shore excursion. Following pickup from your Skagway port, head to the Dyea Valley, and board your inflatable raft. During this peaceful river float, your guide points out any wildlife, including possible bald eagles and even bears. Learn about Skagway’s history as you snap photos of the one-of-a-kind sights. Pick-up for this tour is at the cruise terminal.

Spend time photographing the spectacular landscape around Haines on a full-day photography tour from Skagway. Your professional photographer guide helps you to get great photo ops of Alaska's stunning landscape and wildlife like bald eagles, brown bears, humpback whales, moose, and other animals (depending on the season). Suitable for all levels of photography experience, this tour can be tailored to the participants' interests and the best wildlife viewing of the season. Transportation is available from the port.

We’ve done our best to select excursions that could be fun for your family. As with all excursions, please do your own due diligence with the excursion provider, review physical requirements for the tour, and read the liability waiver carefully before signing.