Skagway Articles

The park's own bear page for Chilkoot hikers. It confirms that black and brown bears are both seen regularly on the trail, makes hikers responsible for storing food properly, and recommends the 20-minute bear film at the Chilkoot Trail Center before setting out.

A state viewing guide to Skagway's wildlife spots, from Pullen Creek and Yakutania Point to Dyea and the Klondike Highway. It notes which animals turn up where and when, with short bear safety tips, which makes it the most useful single source for a visitor with a few hours ashore.

The story of a park study tracking the spring hooligan run up the Taiya River, including the dates the fish arrived and the gulls, seals and sea lions that followed them. It also explains why the oily little fish mattered so much to the "grease trails" over the Chilkoot.

Food storage rules for the Canadian half of the Chilkoot: lock attractants in the bear lockers before setting up camp, and cook only in the shelters. It also covers which bear sprays are legal in Canada and the ban on carrying spray on commercial flights.

A plain-language explainer on the 100-yard rule for humpbacks and how boaters can watch whales without disturbing them. Good background for anyone booking a whale or wildlife cruise out of Skagway.

The state's companion guide for Haines, a 45-minute ferry ride away. It covers the Chilkoot River bear season (peaking in July and August), whale sightings in the inlets, and the fall bald eagle gathering on the Chilkat River.

A short park page on the boreal toads of the Taiya River watershed: where they breed, how the park tracks them, and where they spend the winter. A good offbeat feature for families.

Background on the downtown creek where king, pink and coho salmon spawn within sight of the cruise docks. It explains how foot traffic was damaging the banks and the plan for a trail and overlooks; it's dated, so pair it with a note on the creek today.

The park's main page for planning a Chilkoot trip. It covers the Recreation.gov permit, the mandatory orientation at the Trail Center, and the current rule that hikers must turn back at the border.

A starting point that sorts local trails by trailhead: the Dewey Lakes system, the river footbridge, Dyea and the railroad stops. It links to the NPS pages for shorter, moderate and difficult hikes.

Explains how to hike out and back from Bennett to Chilkoot Pass while the border is closed. It includes distances, elevations and site counts for each Canadian campground.

Lists the permit season and shoulder-season dates and how to book either side of the trail. It also covers the orientation requirement and the refund rules.

A news report on why the crossing at Chilkoot Pass is still closed. It describes the steep drop in hiker numbers and what the closure has meant for Skagway.

The booking page for the retired railroad caboose at the Denver Glacier trailhead, which you reach by WP&YR train. It explains the access season, the sleeping setup and the bear and weather precautions.

A printable map and chart of Skagway-area trails with times, distances, elevation gain and difficulty. It adds local notes on bears, camping permits and tricky spots such as AB Mountain above tree line.

A Skagway-raised writer's favorite things to do in town, including hikes to Upper Dewey Lake and up AB Mountain. It is a friendly, personal complement to the official trail pages.

A park interpretation chief's overview of Skagway's gold rush buildings, museum and nearby Chilkoot Trail. Some details are dated (it describes the Soapy Smith parlor museum as opening in 2016, and the park has since dropped ranger-led walking tours).

A short history of the "Dead Horse Trail" and the building of the railway over White Pass. Good background reading before a train ride.

The railway's own fact sheet on construction dates, cost, grades and its shutdown and revival as an excursion line.

The state tourism site's profile of Skagway, covering its history, outdoor activities and how to get there by air, sea or road.

The town's own sample day plans, grouped by theme, from Chilkoot hikes and river floats to the railroad, Yukon van tours and slower-paced galleries and shows.

A contributor's review of the train trip with practical notes on seating, comfort and what you will see. Includes a tip on which side of the car to choose on the way down.

A port-by-port roundup of popular Alaska shore excursions, including Skagway and Haines, useful for comparing Skagway with other stops on an itinerary.

A news report on rockslides that have kept the Railroad Dock closed to foot traffic since 2022 and on research into rockslide risk around town. Explains why some passengers reach their ship by shuttle or water taxi.