Skagway for Free

Skagway is a National Historic Park as the Gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush in 1898. The entire town is a Museum with many Free Attractions.

1. BEGIN WITH THE WALKING TOUR. Click on the Skagway Walking Tour link to have a look at the map of the walking tour.

The tour starts at the White Pass and Yukon Railroad Depot which houses the NATIONAL PARK SERVICE VISITOR CENTER. You can enjoy the film, "Days of Adventure/Dream of Gold", a walking tour with a National Park Service ranger, and other activities. You will also find the NPS GOLD RUSH MUSEUM in the fancy yellow colored building.

Skagway, during the goldrush era, was known for its "characters" and you will find out more about one of its most famous, Soapy Smith, in his saloon, Jeff Smith's Parlor, which is still looking much as it did during gold rush day. Continue up broadway past many of Skagway's original buildings which were constructed between 1897 and 1900. Continue on to one of Skagway's best-known watering holes, The Red Onion Saloon.

Next you'll come to the Arctic Brotherhood Hall, the facade, which has been called a prime example of Victorian Rustic Architecture. You'll find the Skagway Convention & Visitor's Bureau housed in this historic treasure.

Your tour will continue with stops at the Golden North Hotel, Mascot Block, many more of Skagway's oldest structures,the Skagway Museum and City Hall, Skagway's once thriving Red Light District, and ending with the scene of the infamous Reid-Smith Gun Battle.

2. VISIT THE MUSEUMS

CORRINGTON MUSEUM OF ALASKAN HISTORY - Free

MASCOT SALOON EXHIBIT AND MOORE HOUSE - Free

VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER - Exhibits, films, guided walks and programs - Free

SKAGWAY MUSEUM - Adults $2 - Children $1

TRAIL OF '98 MUSEUM - ??

3. WONDERFUL WALKS AROUND SKAGWAY

Take the two mile walk to Gold Rush Cemetery, a delightfully creepy place just north of town beyond the rail yards. You will find hundreds of graves beside the Skagway River deep in the forest. Look for the restored graves of the villinous "Soapy" Smith and Frank Reid, the town hero. They both died in a shootout on Broadway.

About 1/4 mile beyond the cemetery you will find Reid Falls. Trail maps are available at the Skagway Visitor Center and if you feel like a less strenuous day you can take the city bus to the 23rd Avenue stop near the cemetery.

LOWER DEWEY LAKE is a short 20 minute wak from Skagway starting at 4th Avenue and Spring Street where you will head toward the mountain, cross the foot bridge over Pullen Creek and follow the trail uphill to the lake.

HIKE THE A.B. MOUNTAIN TRAIL - A difficult all day hike of 10 miles and 4,900 feet of elevation gain it takes you from Dyea Road to the ridgeline. You can hike this trail for about 30 minutes to a large rock off the trail to the right for a good view of Skagway.

STROLL out to Yakutania Point. The Yakutania Point Trail begins at the footbridge over the Skagway River at the southwest corner of town and winds for half a mile to Yakutania Point. This well traveled trail is one of the easiest hikes in Skagway and it is a good spot to look for harbor seals, ducks, and shorebirds. Look for the gray headed seals from the point, while standing on the footbridge over the river.

The small MOLLY WALSH PARK on 7th Avenue is a great play park for kids and in nearby PULLEN CREEK PARK at the boat harbor you can see spawning silver salmon.

Take Dyea Road to the SKAGWAY OVERLOOK at Mile 2. There is a wooden bench and a wonderful view of the downtown Skagway District and Waterfront, and the peaks above Skagway.

HIKING INFORMATION

The National Park Visitor Center at 2nd and Broadway is the best place to find more information about hiking trails and walks as well as ranger led tours.