Day hikes you can walk to from the cruise docks

By Skagway Times editors · Checked October 18, 2026

Skagway is a small town hemmed in by steep mountains, and several good trails start within walking distance of the ships. NPS says the visitor center at 2nd Avenue and Broadway, in the old railroad depot, is less than half a mile from every cruise dock. Most of the trailheads below are a short walk beyond that.

Distances and times differ a little between the National Park Service and the local trail map. Where they disagree, we give both. None of these trails is maintained or patrolled by NPS, so you are on your own out there.

Yakutania Point and Smuggler's Cove

This is the easiest nature walk from the docks. From 1st Avenue, turn onto Main Street, go two blocks south, then follow the sidewalk west past the airport terminal and cross the Skagway River on the footbridge. NPS puts this trailhead about three-quarters of a mile from the historic district.

Yakutania Point is a short, nearly flat loop with a picnic shelter and an outhouse. Plan on about an hour. Smuggler's Cove branches off to the right from the same trail and makes a slightly longer outing of 1 to 2 hours. NPS calls the Smuggler's Cove walk easy, while the trail map rates it moderate. Either one fits easily into even a short port call.

Lower Dewey Lake

The Dewey Lakes trails start right at the edge of the historic district. Walk east on 2nd Avenue past the railroad depot. Where the tracks cross the road, turn left and follow the tracks north about 120 meters to the trailhead. Watch for trains.

It is 0.9 mile to the lake, with about 500 feet of climbing. A 3.6-mile trail circles the lake. Its east side has rocky stretches where you'll need your hands. Allow 1 to 2 hours. Many walkers go just to the lake and back, which is a good choice on a tight schedule.

Upper Dewey Lake and the Devil's Punchbowl

From Lower Dewey Lake, turn left at the junction sign, head north across several footbridges, and then turn right at the Upper Dewey Lake sign. The climb from there is relentless. NPS lists the hike as 6 miles round trip with 3,100 feet of elevation gain, taking 5 to 6 hours, and rates it strenuous. The trail map gives 6.9 miles and calls it an all-day hike.

The Devil's Punchbowl is a small alpine lake. To reach it, take a narrow path south up the ridge from the cabin at Upper Dewey Lake. That adds about 2.5 miles round trip, 600 feet of climbing and roughly 2 hours. The trail map lists the whole trip from town at 9.4 miles with about 3,700 feet of gain. It is not a good place to camp.

Icy Lake and Upper Reid Falls

This trail also starts from Lower Dewey Lake. Turn left at the junction, go north past the Upper Dewey turnoff and the power company road, and then climb northwest from the south end of Icy Lake to the falls. NPS says it is 7 miles round trip with 850 feet of gain, taking 4 to 5 hours. The trail map estimates about 3 hours. Expect mud along the lakeshore. There is no safe way to scramble down from Upper Reid Falls to Lower Reid Falls, so come back the way you went.

Gold Rush Cemetery and Lower Reid Falls

This flat walk is the easiest way to see a waterfall. It is about 4 miles round trip from the visitor center, with only about 50 feet of gain, and takes about 2 hours. Head north on Main Street or Alaska Street, cross the highway, and follow the gravel road that runs behind the railroad yards. Watch for cars and trains, and don't walk on the tracks or on the road beside them. Lower Reid Falls is just past the cemetery.

AB Mountain

AB Mountain is the big local climb, and it is best left to fit, experienced hikers. NPS lists 10 miles round trip and about 5,000 feet of gain. The trail map gives 11 miles and 4,900 feet. Both call it an all-day hike. The trailhead is on the Dyea Road. Without a car, you can walk the Smuggler's Cove trail, take the access road up to the Dyea Road, and walk a short way along it.

NPS warns that the trail is dangerous above tree line. Don't start if clouds could hide the summit, go around ice patches rather than across them, and note landmarks on the way up, because the route is easy to lose on the way down. A Skagway local writing for Travel Alaska says the climb takes 6 to 8 hours round trip and rewards you with ridgeline views over Lynn Canal.

Denver Glacier, by train

Denver Glacier is not a walk from the dock, but it is easy to add if you book ahead. The White Pass & Yukon Route (WP&YR) runs hikers 6 miles up the line to the Denver trailhead. NPS places the flag stop at railroad mile 5.8. In 2026 the hiker train ran from April 30 to September 30. Morning trains left Skagway at 7:40 am with an 11:20 am pickup, and afternoon trains left at 12:40 pm with a 4:30 pm pickup, back in Skagway at 5:00 pm. A round-trip ticket cost $60 for adults and $30 for children ages 3 to 12, and you must buy it in advance. A passport is required, and WP&YR says to allow time to clear U.S. Customs on the return.

The trail follows the East Fork of the Skagway River through old-growth hemlock forest and past Denver Falls to a view of the glacier. NPS lists it as 4 to 6 miles round trip with about 900 feet of gain. The trail map gives about 1,200 feet. It is rated moderate as far as the trail goes and difficult beyond its end. Avoid the area in March and April, when avalanche danger is high. Be very careful on the glacier itself, where fresh snow can hide crevasses.

Next to the tracks at the trailhead is the Denver Caboose Cabin, a retired WP&YR caboose that sleeps six. It belongs to the Tongass National Forest and is reserved through Recreation.gov. The Forest Service lists no drinking water at the trailhead, and the cabin listing notes that black bears are common in the area.

At a glance

The last column is our editorial judgment, based on the times listed and an allowance for walking to and from the ship.

Safety: all-aboard, weather and bears

Turn around early. Before you set out, find your ship's all-aboard time, not just its departure time. Pick a turnaround time that leaves room for the walk back to the dock, a slower descent, and a cushion for wrong turns. On a short call, stick to Yakutania Point, Smuggler's Cove, Lower Dewey Lake or the cemetery walk.

Weather. Conditions in the mountains can be very different from the weather in town. NPS warns against climbing AB Mountain when clouds may hide the summit. Upper Dewey and the Punchbowl climb to similar open country. Bring rain gear and a warm layer, and carry water and snacks even on short walks.

Bears. The local trail map reminds hikers that Skagway is bear country. Make noise as you walk, keep food and scented items away from bears, never approach or feed one, and if you meet a bear, stay calm, back away slowly and don't run. Black bears are common around Denver Glacier.

Trains. Several trailheads cross or run beside the railroad tracks. Stay off the tracks, and keep an eye out for trains.

Overnight. Camping on the Dewey Lakes trails requires a free permit from the Skagway Police Station. Fires are allowed only in designated pits, and you need a burn permit.