Skagway is the gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush and one of the most atmospheric stops on an Alaska cruise. Ships dock rather than tender, at piers on the edge of town: the Railroad Dock, the Broadway Dock and the Ore Dock, with smaller ships sometimes using the ferry dock. The historic district along Broadway is a short, flat walk from the Broadway and Ore docks, while passengers on the Railroad Dock have recently needed a shuttle or water taxi because of rockslide risk on the cliff above it. This guide explains each dock, what you can see on foot, the excursions worth booking and how to plan a day in this compact Gold Rush town.
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Skagway at a glance
- Where ships dock: Railroad Dock (two berths, used by the largest ships), Broadway Dock at the foot of Broadway, and the Ore Dock. Small ships may use the ferry dock. No tendering on normal calls.
- Walk to town: A few minutes from the Broadway and Ore docks. From the Railroad Dock, follow the current shuttle arrangements.
- Top sight: The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park district along Broadway.
- Currency: US dollar (take your passport if your tour crosses into Canada’s Yukon).
- Best for: the White Pass & Yukon Route railroad, Gold Rush history and big mountain scenery.
Where cruise ships dock in Skagway
Skagway’s cruise piers are owned and run by a mix of the White Pass & Yukon Route and the municipality, and all sit at the southern edge of town where the valley meets the Taiya Inlet.
- Railroad Dock: the largest dock, with forward and aft berths that can take two big ships at once, set beneath a cliff painted with the names of ships and captains. Since rockslides in 2022, the dock has been closed to pedestrians, and when we checked, passengers were being moved between ship and town by shuttle bus or small water taxis. Expect queues at the end of the day.
- Broadway Dock: at the foot of Broadway, Skagway’s main street, so you are in the historic district within a couple of minutes. Trains can load right beside the dock for railroad excursions.
- Ore Dock: originally built for loading mineral ore, now with a new floating cruise berth that opened in 2024 and was designed to take ships up to Oasis-class length. It is a short walk to town.
- Ferry dock: between the Broadway and Railroad docks, mainly used by Alaska Marine Highway ferries, and sometimes by small cruise ships.
Dock assignments vary by ship and can change at short notice, so check your daily planner. The local SMART bus also runs between the docks and town for a small fare.
Things to do within walking distance
- Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park: the visitor center on Broadway is free, with exhibits on the 1897 to 1898 stampede and free ranger-led walking tours of the historic district.
- Broadway’s false-fronted buildings: restored saloons, stores and boardwalks that make Skagway feel like a film set, including the Mascot Saloon museum.
- Red Onion Saloon: a former Gold Rush bordello turned bar, with costumed tours of the upstairs “museum”.
- Skagway Museum: housed in the McCabe Building, with Gold Rush artifacts and Alaska Native objects.
- Gold Rush Cemetery and Reid Falls: about a mile and a half north of town, where con man Soapy Smith and Frank Reid are buried. A pleasant walk or a short shuttle ride.
- Lower Dewey Lake trail: a steep but short hike from town to a quiet forest lake with views back over the harbor.
Best Skagway shore excursions
Skagway’s excursions climb fast into high country. Choose a tour that returns at least an hour before all-aboard, and bring your passport for anything that crosses into Canada.
| Excursion | Time from the ship | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| White Pass & Yukon Route railroad to the summit | About 3 hours, from the depot or beside your dock | Cliff-hugging track, trestles and waterfalls on the Gold Rush route |
| Helicopter flight and glacier dog sledding | A few hours, from the heliport near the docks | A once-in-a-lifetime splurge on an icefield |
| Klondike Highway and Yukon tour | Half day to most of the day by road | Alpine lakes, the Canadian border and Emerald Lake on longer tours |
| Rail one way, coach the other | Most of the day | Seeing the pass from both the train and the highway |
| Chilkoot Trail and Dyea history walk | About 15 to 20 minutes by road to Dyea | Active travelers who want to walk the start of the stampeders’ trail |
Food and drink
Skagway’s food scene is small but fun. Look for salmon and halibut in town, a salmon bake on some tours, and local beer at the Skagway Brewing Company, known for its spruce tip ale. The saloons along Broadway make a good stop to warm up after a cold morning at the summit. Shops on Broadway sell everything from gold nugget jewelry to Alaska Native art; buy art with an authenticity label.
Tips for a day in Skagway
- Book the railroad early. The White Pass trains are Skagway’s most popular excursion and sell out on busy days.
- Pick the right side of the train. On the way up, the left side generally gets the best canyon views, so sit there or swap on the return.
- Dress in layers. The summit can be far colder and windier than town, even in July.
- Carry your passport on Yukon trips. Tours that cross into Canada need proper travel documents.
- Allow for the Railroad Dock shuttle. If you are berthed there, leave extra time to get back, as lines build late in the afternoon.
Frequently asked questions
Can you walk from the Skagway cruise port into town?
Yes from the Broadway and Ore docks, which are a few minutes from Broadway. When we checked, the Railroad Dock was closed to pedestrians because of rockslide risk, with shuttles and water taxis taking passengers to and from town.
Do I need a passport for the White Pass railroad?
Not for the standard round trip to the summit, which turns back before Canadian customs. You do need one for tours that continue into British Columbia or the Yukon.
Which dock is closest to town in Skagway?
The Broadway Dock, at the foot of Broadway, puts you in the historic district within a couple of minutes. The Ore Dock is also a short walk.
Is Skagway worth exploring without an excursion?
Yes. The historic district, the free National Park visitor center and ranger tours, and an easy hike to Lower Dewey Lake fill a day nicely without booking anything.
Planning your Alaska route? See our port-by-port guide to Alaska cruise ports, our Ketchikan cruise port guide and our advice on the best side of the ship for an Alaska cruise.
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