Forum Discussion

snowedin's avatar
snowedin
Explorer
Feb 07, 2019

Skagway

Some have referred to Skagway as being a tourist trap overrun by folks from the cruise ships and that may be true to some extent but there is so much more to Skagway for the RVers that it would be a shame to miss it. First there is a lot of history to the area. One can drive to the head of the historic Chilkoot Trail and hike at least part of it. The scenery on the drive into Skagway and in the Skagway area is spectacular. There is the option of taking the fast ferry to Juneau with the opportunity to see whales along the say, fantastic scenery too, and then see Juneau & the Mendenhall Glacier. There are flightseeing trips out of both Skagway & Haines to see the area. There is the option to load the RV on the short Alaska Ferry jaunt to Haines and while in Haines see the bears fishing for salmon along the road to Chilkoot Lake. The drive from Haines to Haines Junction is about as scenic as it gets, transitioning from sea level up through Alpine terrain. And you get to see all this while still getting to drive from Haines Junction to Whitehorse on your return trip. There are many more things to do by taking the Skagway/Haines route vs the Whitehorse/Haines Junction route that is seems a shame to miss them.

And when the cruise ships depart toward evening Skagway becomes a different place, uncrowded, and we found it peaceful to dine while listening to a local band. The hardware store in Skagway has everything you can imagine if you need supplies. Am not saying that some of the daytime tourist attractions are not worthwhile but there seems to be something for everyone.

16 Replies

  • Our first trip to Skagway was in the late 70's when our family did a 5 day backpacking trip on the Chilkoot Trail. We have been back in more recent years and it has changed dramatically now that the cruise ships come in. It is still a quaint place to visit.
    Something else that is fun to do is the narrow gauge train trip from Skagway north to Bennett. They stopped running it for many years, but I think it is running again. Lunch was served in the old Bennett Train Station (a sight we were happy to see at the end of our backpacking trip).
  • Great little town when the ship's depart and yes there is a lot of history to see in the area, been there 4 times and likely be back this summer, mh from Skag to haines is not cheap for the time spent on it, $230.+.but is a scenic route.
  • It was one of our favorite places to visit when we took our small ships cruise of Alaska. All one has to do is gaze down the main street and imagine what it was like in the old golden days.
  • Skagway is a great place to visit. we were there twice both times there was no cruise boat in port.
    We were amuse at how many times we heard the phrase " Oh, You are RVers"
  • Agree.
    We have been to Skagway three times and stayed in Carcross. Besides the quite time, when the ships leave Skagway, our favourite was the beautiful drive back and forth from Carcross to Skagway.
    Soup.
  • I agree with you. we have only been to Skagway two times, but it is one of my favorite places. Cruise ships - big deal - there is plenty to do if they are there or not.
    stuart