Dog Sledding & Gold Panning in Skagway: 4.5-Hour White Pass Tour

Ride sled dogs through the alpine, then pan for gold in a remote corner of Canada

A 4.5-hour guided tour from Skagway that combines White Pass sightseeing with dog sledding and gold panning in Canada. The mini coach picks you up at your ship or in town and travels 45 miles into the Yukon, stopping at waterfalls, glaciers and mountain lakes while your guide shares gold rush history and wildlife facts. The dog camp sits in a remote area where you'll play with puppies, ride a wheeled sled vehicle for 20 minutes through alpine terrain, and pan for real gold. A valid passport is required to cross into Canada.

The experience

Four and a half hours starts at your ship or a town pickup, boarding a 14 to 25 passenger mini coach that climbs toward the White Pass at 3292 feet. The route travels 45 miles into Canada, stopping at waterfalls that drop 3000 feet, azure glaciers, alpine valleys and mountain lakes. Your guide narrates the gold rush stories and the natural history of the region (plants, animals, the landscape itself), and this stretch is Skagway's best chance for spotting wildlife. The road itself is the sightseeing. You get out at each stop to stand in front of what you came to see.

The dog camp sits in a remote portion of Canada, and the 20-minute ride happens on a wheeled sled vehicle used for training. Before you ride, you play with the puppies and learn what a musher's life involves: the dogs' power, their grace, the way they run. Then you're on the vehicle moving through the alpine wilderness, feeling the dogs' pull and speed as they work. The ride is short, but it's the core of the day: you're not watching the dogs. You're moving with them.

After the sled ride, you pan for real gold. The thrill is finding those small shiny pieces in the pan. It's the tangible part of the gold rush story your guide told on the drive up. The mini coach is clean and well maintained, and the driver handles the long route while you watch the landscape change. Because this tour crosses into Canada, you'll need a valid passport on the day of travel. The tour operates in all weather, so dress for the conditions you'll meet at elevation.

What’s included

• Pickup at your ship or in town.
• a live English-speaking guide.
• transport in a clean, well-maintained mini coach.
• stops at waterfalls, glaciers, alpine valleys and mountain lakes.
• the 20-minute dog sled ride on a wheeled training vehicle.
• time with the puppies at the dog camp.
• gold panning with the chance to find real gold.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 10 May 2027

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Youth (7 to 12 years) · Child (3 to 6 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Klondike Tours

Is this one for you?The tour picks you up at your ship or in town, so you don't need a car or a way to reach the White Pass trailhead on your own. The fixed 4.5-hour schedule and included transport mean the whole day (the drive, the dog sled, the gold panning) stays together without you arranging anything beyond showing up with your passport.

Traveler reviews

4.68★★★★★★★★★★

311 verified traveler reviews

5 ★250

4 ★37

3 ★14

2 ★5

1 ★5

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (7 to 12 years); Child (3 to 6 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the dog sledding part of this tour actually like?

The dog sled ride lasts 20 minutes on a wheeled training vehicle, covering 1.3 miles through alpine terrain. You'll feel the dogs' power and speed as they run, and before the ride you spend time with the puppies and learn about a musher's work.

Do I need a passport for the Skagway dog sledding tour?

Yes, a current valid passport is required on the day of travel because the tour crosses into Canada. You'll need it at the border to continue to the White Pass and the dog camp.

Where does the tour pick me up?

The mini coach picks you up either at your ship in Skagway or at a town location. At the time of booking, you'll provide your ship name so the driver knows which dock to collect you from.

What waterfalls and glaciers will I see on the White Pass drive?

The tour includes stops at waterfalls up to 3000 feet tall and azure glaciers as you climb toward the White Pass at 3292 feet elevation. You'll also see alpine valleys, snow-capped mountains and mountain lakes across the 45-mile route into the Yukon.

Is there food or water available during the tour?

Food and drinks are available upon request. Let the operator know at booking if you'd like to arrange anything for the 4.5-hour day.