Skagway Trip Overview
Escape the crowds of Skagway into the wild Tongass National Forest. Enjoy a beautiful 10-mile drive along the rugged coast of the fjord to the starting point of the historic Chilkoot Trail, the ghost town of Dyea, and the gorgeous Taiya River Valley. Your professionally trained boatman will guide your raft down the gentle Taiya River, pointing out wildlife, talking about the local history, and telling stories of the Gold Rush. Don’t forget your camera as snow-capped mountains, hanging glaciers, and wildlife abound! Dyea is a peaceful getaway from bustling Skagway and a perfect opportunity to feel like a part of the great Alaskan outdoors.
Additional Info
Duration: 2 hours
Starts: Skagway, United States
Trip Category: Water Sports >> Float Trips
Explore Skagway Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Skagway, Alaska, United States
Escape the crowds of Skagway into the wild Tongass National Forest. Enjoy a beautiful 10-mile drive along the rugged coast of the fjord to the starting point of the historic Chilkoot Trail, the ghost town of Dyea, and the gorgeous Taiya River Valley. Your professionally trained boatman will guide your raft down the gentle Taiya River, pointing out wildlife, talking about the local history, and telling stories of the Gold Rush. Don’t forget your camera as snow-capped mountains, hanging glaciers, and wildlife abound! Dyea is a peaceful getaway from bustling Skagway and a perfect opportunity to feel like a part of the great Alaskan outdoors.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Pass By: Skagway, Skagway, Alaska
Explore this historic Gold Rush town’s charming downtown, quaint residential area, and small-town amenities as your expert guide regales you with it’s history and fun facts. Does Skagway truly not have a doctor? Where do local children go to school? How many people live here year-round?
Stop At: Skagway River, Skagway, AK 99840, USA
Take a look at the town of Skagway and the Skagway River from a higher perspective! Stop at the Skagway Overlook for scenic photo opportunities of the town, confluence of the Skagway River with the Pacific Ocean, and the Chilkat Mountains in the distance.
Duration: 10 minutes
Pass By: Tongass National Forest, Alaska 99833, USA
Enter into the serenity and beauty of the 17 million-acre Tongass National Forest. Within the Tongass, you will find a plethora of flora and fauna — with none of the crowds!
Stop At: Chilkoot Trail, Alaska
Stop at the trailhead of the Chilkoot Trail, the centerpiece of the gold rush history in Skagway. This world-famous trail was the main route to the riches of the Klondike during the gold rush. Now a tranquil place of incredible beauty, the trail winds through a lush rainforest alive with birds, animals and wildflowers. Your guide will weave an entertaining mix of natural history and Klondike folklore about the gold-hungry stampeder’s who forged this route over 100 years ago.
Duration: 10 minutes
Pass By: Taiya River, Skagway, AK 99840, USA
Your drive will end at the Taiya River put-in site for your float experience. A safety briefing will be provided and rubber boots, life jackets, and panchos (if raining) will be handed out to all guests. Your 18-foot raft awaits for the calm scenic float back to Dyea. During this approximately 45-minute float, you will see the forest give way to fields of beach greens and wild fireweed, and the granite walls of the fjords rise steeply to snow-capped peaks and hanging glaciers. Your guide will enthrall you with natural history, geology, and Gold Rush history along the way. At the end of the float, enjoy a riverside snack of homemade cookies and a hot beverage with countless picture-perfect moments before loading up in the van and heading back to Skagway.
Pass By: Dyea, Skagway, AK 99840, USA
Enjoy a 10-mile drive along the coast to the beautiful Dyea Valley, home to an old gold rush settlement, which has now returned to nature. On the drive to the float tour, you may spot seals and eagles, and your driver will share some information on the area’s history and nature.
Pass By: Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center, 291 Broadway, Skagway, AK 99840
The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is home to downtown Skagway, the historic Chilkoot Trail, and more! It is a unique national park that spans two states — Washington (where many gold rushers sailed from) and Alaska (the start of the Gold Rush routes).
