Quick Links
Skagway is one of the touristic coastal towns of Alaska. Skagway is located in the stunning Alaska Panhandle and is famous for being a popular destination for cruise ships and for its central role in the mad Klondike Gold Rush 125 years ago. Skagway was part of the setting for the famous Jack London book The Call of the Wild, which has been adapted into film multiple times.
Attractions in Skagway include the White Pass and Yukon Route narrow gauge railroad (built in a hurry to serve the gold rush), the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Parks, the White Pass Trail, the Chilkoot Trail, the historic gold rush era buildings, and much more.
Skagway: The Wild West Boom Town Supplying Dawson City
Skagway grew after the discovery of gold in the Yukon. It quickly became a port town and the principle route into the remote gold fields of the Yukon around Dawson City (Dawson City has become perhaps the most iconic gold rush boom town in North America). The population soared almost overnight from almost nothing to around 30,000 in the general area and between 8,000 and 10,000 by mid-1898.
Within weeks saloons, offices, and stores sprang up. It soon had the reputation for lawlessness, and in 1898 it was described as "little better than a hell on earth." The town was controlled by mob men, and there were ever-present fights, prostitutes, and excessive liquor. There were Wild West-style shootouts and plenty of thieves and con men.
As the mad-dash gold rush eased in 1899, Skagway's economy began to collapse. Fortunately, people like Martin Itjen managed to preserve many of the buildings and much of the heritage of the town.
Today Skagway is one of the main places to explore the heritage of the Klondike Gold Rush. Those who are able to go all the way into the Yukon can even see old-time Cancan shows in an old casino in Dawson City.
What To See An Do In Skagway
Skagway has a population of around 1,000, but this doubles during the summer tourist season. Thanks to its tourist infrastructure, its glaciers, its mountains, the historic train to the Yukon Territory, its gold rush heritage, and its position as a convenient stopover for the coastal Alaskan cruises, it receives around 1 million visitors every year (more than the whole state of Alaska). People flock to see why Skagway is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Alaska.
Over 400 cruise ships visit annually, and there can be 10 times the town's resident population from the ships on a busy day (a modern continuation of its rush of the past)
There are over 20 historic preserved buildings, including The Moore House, The Mascot Saloon, and the Jeff Smith's Parlor. The Mascot Saloon was one of over 70 saloons of the town's heyday when it was "the roughest place in the world." Today it is run by the NPS and is a museum delving into the town's history of gambling, drinking, and prostitution.
- Moore Homestead: Skagway's Oldest Building, Built in 1887
White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad: Ride The Gold Rush Rail Road - the Town's Most Popular Tour From Skagway
If one has the time, take the time to go hiking and backpacking out of the town. There are excellent hiking trails - including the Chilkoot Trail, a three to four-day historic hike. One of the impressive glaciers to see is the Laughton Glacier which is an impressive hanging glacier reached by railroad and an easy 2.5-mile hike.
Take the time to visit the Gold Rush Cemetery, which is a 1.5-mile walk from downtown Skagway. Here people see the graves of Soapy Smith and Frank Reid - the villainous con man who both died in a Wild West-stye shootout.
Nearby is also Skagway's rival town ghost town of Dyea. It is at the foot of the Chilkoot Trail, but the town quickly died after Skagway was chosen as the departure point of the train.
Transportation To & From Skagway
While around three-quarters of the visitors come by cruise ships, cruise ships are not the only way to visit Skagway. It is possible to drive to Skagway from Canada's Yukon Territory. It is one of only three Southeast Alaskan communities to have connections to the greater road system with access to the Lower 48, Whitehorse, Yukon, British Columbia, and the Alaska Highway.
Skagway is also connected to the Alaska Marine Highway, bypassing Canada. The Alaska Marine Highway is Alaska's extensive ferry system that is also part of the US National Highway System.
The old heritage White Pass and Yukon Route railway is still in operation as a heritage railway with rides to the community of Carcross; from there, passengers take a bus to Whitehorse in Canada.
A final way to get to Skagway is the Skagway Airport which is serviced by Air Excursions and Alaska Seaplanes - both bush carriers.
