Skagway to Yukon tour with Emerald Lake and wildlife museum

Skagway's gateway into the Yukon backcountry, with glaciers and the smallest desert on earth

A guided van tour from Skagway crosses into Canada's Yukon Territory, stopping at Emerald Lake, the Carcross Desert, and multiple photo points along the Klondike Highway. The tour includes entry to Wild Adventure Yukon wildlife museum in Carcross, a family-style BBQ lunch, and pickup from the cruise ship docks. A valid passport is required, as the route leaves the US and re-enters it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Tour Skagway and Yukon highlights

• Tour downtown Skagway
• Drive along Klondike Highway
• View Pitchfork Falls from highway
• Stop at White Pass summit photo spot
• Visit Welcome to Yukon sign
• Explore Carcross Desert (weather permitting)
• See Emerald Lake near Carcross
• Lunch at Yukon Wildlife Museum and petting zoo
• Return to downtown Skagway

The Experience

The tour departs from Skagway's cruise ship docks and heads north on the Klondike Highway, climbing toward the White Pass summit before crossing into British Columbia and the Yukon. Along the way, stops include Pitchfork Falls—a 2,000-foot cascade that flows beneath the White Pass and Yukon Railway bridge—and the Welcome to Alaska and Yukon signs, where First Nations vendors sell authentic goods. The guide narrates the Klondike Gold Rush history and points out glaciers, lakes and mountains visible from the road.

Emerald Lake sits 10 minutes north of Carcross village, its distinctive colored water framed by surrounding peaks. The Carcross Desert—sand dunes formed by receding glaciers thousands of years ago and claimed as the world's smallest inland desert—may be included depending on timing and weather. Lunch is a family-style BBQ chicken meal served at Wild Adventure Yukon in Carcross, with vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free options available on request. The wildlife museum and petting zoo are part of the entry, so there is something for different ages and interests.

The full outing runs 6.5 hours including travel time. A live English-speaking guide leads the van or touring bus, and the operator handles pickup and drop-off at your cruise ship berth—you'll need to specify which ship you're on when booking. Because the route crosses the US-Canada border twice, a valid passport is required for most travelers; foreign visitors should confirm they are able to leave the US, enter Canada, and re-enter before booking.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off at your cruise ship berth in Skagway.
• guided van or touring bus with a live English-speaking guide.
• multiple photo stops along the Klondike Highway including Pitchfork Falls, Emerald Lake, the Carcross Desert, and the Welcome to Alaska and Yukon signs.
• entry to Wild Adventure Yukon wildlife museum and petting zoo in Carcross.
• family-style BBQ chicken lunch with vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free options available on request.
• all fees and taxes.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Skagway Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to reach Emerald Lake, Carcross Desert, and the Yukon interior—the route goes well beyond Skagway's downtown and White Pass, with multiple photo stops and wildlife viewing along the way.

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Top questions

What is Pitchfork Falls and where do we see it on the tour?

Pitchfork Falls is a 2,000-foot cascade that drops into the Skagway River along the Klondike Highway between Skagway and the British Columbia border. The falls flow underneath the White Pass and Yukon Railway bridge, and the tour stops there for photos.

Do I need a passport to take this tour from Skagway?

Yes, a valid passport is required for most travelers. The tour crosses from Alaska into Canada (British Columbia and the Yukon) and back again, so you must be able to leave the US, enter Canada, and re-enter the US. Foreign travelers should verify their eligibility before booking.

What is included in the lunch at Wild Adventure Yukon?

Lunch is a family-style BBQ chicken meal served at the wildlife museum in Carcross. Vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free options are available upon request, and entry to the museum and petting zoo is included.

How long is the tour and what does that time include?

The tour runs 6.5 hours total, which includes all travel time between Skagway and the various stops along the Klondike Highway, the photo stops themselves, lunch, and the museum visit.

What wildlife might we see on this tour?

The tour offers 3 times more opportunity to see wildlife compared to tours that only visit White Pass, because the route extends further into the Yukon backcountry. You'll also visit the petting zoo at Wild Adventure Yukon in Carcross as part of the museum entry.