Skagway Shore Excursion: Gold Panning & Salmon Bake

Salmon grilled over alder wood, gold panning in the creek, and a melodrama in the forest

A two-hour Skagway shore excursion at Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp combines an all-you-can-eat buffet of wild Alaskan salmon and camp fare with gold panning, live entertainment and authentic mining exhibits. The tour includes transportation from the port, a live English-speaking guide, and everything you pan for is yours to keep. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Those 13–17 need a signed parental consent form if attending without a parent or guardian.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Liarsville Gold Rush Camp

• Arrive at Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp
• Enjoy all-you-can-eat salmon bake feast
• Listen to Alaskan folk music entertainment
• Visit gold rush era exhibits and waterfall
• Watch melodrama and poem performance
• Learn and practice gold panning
• Browse gift shop and antique tents
• Enjoy complimentary cookies and cider
• Take photos with dance hall girls

The experience

The Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp sits at the foot of White Pass beside a waterfall, a recreation of the settlement that gave rise to tall tales during the Klondike Gold Rush. Your tour begins with an all-you-can-eat meal in the forest: wild Alaskan salmon grilled fresh over an alder wood fire, Chilkoot Chicken, Alyeska au gratin potatoes, Prospector Pete's Baked Beans, salads and sides, finishing with blueberry cake for dessert. A local entertainer plays Alaskan folk music while you eat. Beer and wine are available for purchase. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are on hand.

After the meal you move into the gold rush era camp itself. In the Hippodrome, a cast of sourdoughs and dance hall girls perform a hilarious melodrama and recite a poem by Robert Service, the "Bard of the North." Then comes the gold panning instruction: you learn the technique, then head to the Liarsville gold fields where you're guaranteed to find gold, and you keep everything you pan. The camp also holds authentic mining exhibits, a bordello and laundry tent with antiques and vintage clothing from the era, and a gift shop for souvenirs. Complimentary cookies and apple cider are available as you wander, and you can have your photo taken with one of the dance hall girls.

Transportation from the port and a live English-speaking guide are included. The tour runs two hours total, fitting comfortably into a port day. Layered clothing and comfortable shoes are recommended for the forest setting and creek work.

What’s included

• All-you-can-eat buffet with wild Alaskan salmon, chicken, potatoes, beans and sides plus blueberry cake.
• hot and cold beverages.
• gold panning instruction and access to the gold fields where you keep your finds.
• live entertainment including melodrama and Alaskan folk music.
• admission to authentic gold-mining exhibits, the bordello and laundry tents.
• complimentary cookies and apple cider.
• photo opportunity with a dance hall girl.
• transportation from the port.
• live English-speaking guide.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 May 2027

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 20 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Alaska Travel Adventures Inc.

Is this one for you?The tour departs from the Skagway port with transportation included, so you don't need a rental car or local ride to reach Liarsville: a key advantage for cruise passengers with limited port time. The two-hour window fits neatly into a typical port day, and the shore excursion guarantee protects your booking against ship delays.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

Can I actually keep the gold I pan at Liarsville?

Yes. You're guaranteed to find gold in the Liarsville gold fields, and everything you pan is yours to keep, no limit.

What's included in the all-you-can-eat meal at Liarsville?

The buffet features wild Alaskan salmon grilled over alder wood fire, Chilkoot Chicken, Alyeska au gratin potatoes, Prospector Pete's Baked Beans, salads, sides and blueberry cake for dessert. Beer and wine are available for purchase. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are provided.

Is transportation from the Skagway port included?

Yes. Transportation from the port to Liarsville Gold Rush Trail Camp and back is included in the tour price.

What happens during the entertainment portion at Liarsville?

A cast of sourdoughs and dance hall girls perform a hilarious melodrama in the Hippodrome, and a local performer recites a poem by Robert Service while a musician plays Alaskan folk music. You can also have your photo taken with one of the dance hall girls.

Do I need any experience to pan for gold?

No. The tour includes instruction in gold panning technique before you head to the gold fields, so beginners are welcome and guaranteed to find gold.