Alaska Sign Tour Skagway: Late Afternoon Border Photos

Afternoon drive to the border sign, mountain views, and the photo you came for

A small group tour from Skagway to the Welcome to Alaska sign at the US-Canada border, departing in late afternoon when tour groups have cleared out. The three-hour drive climbs through the White Pass and along the Klondike Highway, crossing the Denali Fault Line and passing glacier-carved valleys and mountain pullouts your guide selects. Pickup at the cruise dock is included. Passports are required for all guests.

Step-by-step itinerary

Afternoon tour to Welcome to Alaska sign

• Meet guide at cruise ship dock
• Drive through Skagway historic district
• Cross Denali Fault Line on Klondike Highway
• Ascend White Pass with mountain views
• Stop at Welcome to Alaska sign
• Visit scenic pullouts with lakes and forests
• Return to Skagway with photo stops
• Arrive back at cruise dock or hotel

The experience

You board at the cruise dock in downtown Skagway and head north on the Klondike Highway with a local guide who knows the town's Gold Rush history and the landscape's geological story. The road climbs into the White Pass, where the terrain shifts from the peaceful streets of Skagway's historic district into rugged mountains and glacier-carved valleys. The Denali Fault Line marks where two tectonic plates meet, a visible scar in the landscape that the guide explains as you pass.

The late afternoon timing is the whole point. Most of the day, the Welcome to Alaska sign draws crowds competing for the same shot, but by the time you arrive, the tour groups have moved on. You get your photo at the border marker without the jostling, then continue along pullouts the guide has chosen: places where cobalt lakes sit against stunted forests and the mountains rise without obstruction. The light shifts as you drive, and the guide points out final photo opportunities on the way back to the dock or your hotel.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off at the cruise dock.
• a knowledgeable local guide who shares stories of Skagway's Gold Rush history and the area's Indigenous heritage.
• entry into Canada at the border (passport required).
• guaranteed stop at the Welcome to Alaska sign.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 5 May 2027

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (2 to 12 years) · Infant (under 2)

GroupUp to 10

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 7 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Rainbow Glacier Adventures

Is this one for you?Three hours leaves room for a leisurely lunch or time at a museum before or after, but not for a full second activity. If your ship's schedule is tight or you want to explore Skagway's downtown on foot, this tour fits neatly into an afternoon without eating the whole port day.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 12 years); Infant (under 2).

What do I need to bring to visit the Welcome to Alaska sign?

A valid passport is required for all guests, since the sign marks the US-Canada border fourteen miles north of Skagway. If you hold a passport from a country that requires a visa to enter Canada, bring that as well.

Why does this tour run in the late afternoon instead of the morning?

The Welcome to Alaska sign draws heavy tour traffic throughout the day, with groups crowding the spot for photos. The late afternoon departure means you arrive when those crowds have cleared, giving you an unhurried experience and a clear shot at the photo without jostling.

What is the Denali Fault Line the guide mentions?

The Denali Fault Line is a geological feature visible along the Klondike Highway where two tectonic plates meet and shift. The guide points it out as the tour climbs through the White Pass, showing how the earth's movement has shaped the terrain around Skagway.

Does the tour stop anywhere besides the Welcome to Alaska sign?

Yes. After the border sign, your guide selects a few favorite pullouts along the route where you can stop and photograph the rugged mountains, glacier-carved valleys, and cobalt lakes. The drive back to Skagway includes additional photo opportunities as the light changes in the late afternoon.

Where does the tour pick me up and drop me off?

Pickup and drop-off are at your cruise ship dock in Skagway, or at your hotel if you're staying in town. The guide meets you at the dock and returns you there at the end of the three-hour tour.