Skagway & White Pass Summit Tour with Photo Stops

Summary

Gold Rush echoes, misty falls and border peaks on Skagway’s wild edge

You’ll ride from Skagway’s quirky main street up through wild mountain passes to White Pass Summit, stopping for photos at roaring falls and border signs along the way. With a local guide sharing stories (and jokes), plus pickup right at your cruise ship, you’ll feel both welcome and awed by these rugged landscapes.

What’s the experience like?

"If you look close, you can still see wagon ruts from 1898," our guide Tom said, half-grinning as we bumped along Broadway. I’d barely settled in when he started pointing out old saloons and weathered storefronts—somehow the whole street smelled faintly of spruce and coffee. It’s funny, I’d always pictured Alaska as just mountains and ice, but Skagway’s got this lived-in charm. There was a woman waving from her porch in a red raincoat; she called something to Tom that I didn’t catch. He just laughed and told us everyone knows everyone here.

The climb up the Klondike Highway felt unreal—like someone kept turning up the contrast outside. We stopped for photos at Pitchfork Falls (it roared louder than I expected), then at Moore Bridge where the wind whipped so hard my hat nearly took off for Canada. At the “Welcome to Alaska” sign, Tom offered to take our picture—he lined us up so the mountains looked almost fake behind us. The air was thin and sharp; I could taste cold metal on my tongue. Someone tried to pronounce Tormented Valley in Tlingit and totally botched it—Tom’s laugh echoed off the rocks.

I didn’t expect how quiet it would get near the summit. There were moments where nobody talked, just watched fog drift over snow patches and listened to water trickling somewhere below. On the way back down, we paused at a hillside overlook—you could see all of Skagway laid out like a toy town, cruise ships docked like giant white beetles. My hands were freezing but I couldn’t stop staring. It’s weird what sticks with you; sometimes it’s not even the big views but that feeling of being small in a place with so much story underneath.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Skagway tour and White Pass summit

• Tour downtown Skagway highlights
• View Pitchfork Falls from highway
• Stop at Klondike Gold Rush sites
• Photo stop at Welcome to Alaska sign
• Enjoy panoramic Skagway overlook

Top questions

How long is the Skagway city & summit tour?

The tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Does this tour include pickup from my cruise ship?

Yes, pickup and drop-off at all main cruise ship docks in Skagway are included.

Will we cross into Canada during this day trip?

You’ll travel up to the US/Canada border at White Pass Summit but do not enter Canada itself.

Are there restroom breaks during the tour?

No specific restroom stops are listed; facilities may be limited along the route.

Is this tour suitable for young children or infants?

Yes, infants can join but must sit on an adult's lap or use a pram or stroller.

What should I bring for this Skagway day trip?

A passport or compliant ID is required as you re-enter the US border; bring warm layers due to changing weather.

How many photo stops are included on this tour?

The tour makes 5-6 photo stops depending on weather and road conditions.

What landmarks will we see on this Skagway & summit tour?

You’ll see Pitchfork Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Moore Bridge Overlook, Tormented Valley, and more along the Klondike Highway.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip land transport by van or touring bus with multiple scenic stops along Broadway and up to White Pass Summit, narrated by a local guide who’ll help with photos (even at that famous “Welcome to Alaska” sign), plus convenient pickup and drop-off right at your cruise ship dock before you head back onboard.