White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad Scenic Rail Trips

Table Of Content

• The Scenic Alaskan Train Ride on the White Pass & Yukon Railroad From Skagway: Shore Excursion Review
• Transforming the White Pass Railroad from Industry to Sightseeing
• What to Pack for a Scenic Train Ride?
• Wheelchair Accessibility on the Skagway Train: Everyone Can Enjoy Alaska By Train
• Denali from the Sky: Guide to Denali Flightseeing Tours in 2024
• Best Skagway Tours & Excursions:

This legendary railway was born from the Klondike Gold Rush frenzy in the late 1890s. We paid for the tour ourselves, and what you’re about to read is our genuine, unfiltered experience. There are 40-mile round trip rides from Skagway to the White Pass Summit available. Or, it might kick off across the Canadian border in Fraser -- about a 45-minute ride by motorcoach. Remember that you'll need to carry your passport for rides involving a border crossing.

The Scenic Alaskan Train Ride on the White Pass & Yukon Railroad From Skagway: Shore Excursion Review

Take advantage of amazing photo opportunities and capture the true beauty of sweeping landscapes, towering mountain READ MORE... Follow the same route taken by Gold Rush pioneers in the late 1800s! This scenic driving tour will take you on a journey through historic downtown Skagway, up the iconic Klondike Highway, and over the Canadian border.

Yukon relaxes border rules for tours, but not enough for White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad KHNS Radio - KHNS Radio

Yukon relaxes border rules for tours, but not enough for White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad KHNS Radio.

Posted: Sat, 09 Apr 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Transforming the White Pass Railroad from Industry to Sightseeing

The stations located above Fraser are reserved for cruise passengers who take a pre- or post-cruise Yukon extension and are heading down to Skagway to join their ship (or vice versa). The White Pass and Yukon Route train was first established at the turn of the 20th century as a narrow gauge railroad. It navigated the tight curves and steep climbs of the landscape to transport ore and other concentrates until 1982, when world metal prices plummeted. Keep your eyes peeled on the scenery, and maybe you’ll catch a glimpse of some of Alaska’s famous wildlife. It had beautiful mountain and stream views and we were giving a great deal of information as we traveled up the Summit.

What to Pack for a Scenic Train Ride?

An exclusive scenic stop at Lake Bennett is a treat for everyone. Alternatively, the Anchorage to Fairbanks route provides a different yet equally stunning perspective of the Alaskan landscape. Another excellent choice is the scenic journey from Anchorage to Seward, a route popular with cruisers. In conclusion, our journey on the Skagway Train Tour is evident to be more than just a scenic ride. It’s a voyage through history and breathtaking Alaskan landscapes.

Same for Dead Horse Gulch, with the bleached bones of perished gold-rush pack animals scattered below. Before looping at the White Pass Summit, you’ll get a look at the headwaters of the Yukon River. You'll hear informative commentary throughout your journey, with a guide pointing out notable landmarks and the events that took place there; attendants are on hand to answer any questions. The White Pass and Yukon Route reopened in 1988 as a tourist attraction and now operates solely as a means of sightseeing. In 1994, it was designated an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark; it shares that title with the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty.

White Pass Summit Rail and Bus Excursion

If you’re unsure where your cruise ship is docking, you can download a Skagway cruise schedule at Cruise Line Agencies website. The small-town charm, gold rush history, and breathtaking train rides provide plenty of excitement for visitors. Experience the best Skagway has to offer on this interesting and interactive Skagway White Pass Summit rail and bus excursion.

Wheelchair Accessibility on the Skagway Train: Everyone Can Enjoy Alaska By Train

Imagine embarking on a breathtaking journey through Alaska’s rugged landscapes. That’s the essence of the Skagway Train Tour, a must-do for cruise ship visitors and beyond. Nestled in the scenic Alaskan frontier, Skagway is a gateway to adventure.

We offer group discounts and can combine your Skagway tour with other popular shore excursions in Juneau and Ketchikan for additional savings. Because weather can significantly impact your enjoyment of the tour. Sometimes fog or low-level clouds make visibility on the Skagway train excursion poor.

It's important to note that while the route extends into Whitehorse, the train no longer runs there. Please note that from October 6th-23rd 2024, a slightly shorter tour, Journey to Inspiration Point will be operating. This shortens the Summit tour by a little more than a mile to allow for ongoing bridge maintenance before the snow arrives. A reduced fare will be reflected in your shopping cart due to the change in tour length. William Moore and his son Ben created a homestead at the terminus of the Skagway River because he recognized it as the most direct route to the goldfields of the Yukon. They named their home Mooresville and built a log cabin, wharf, and sawmill that would prove instrumental to Skagway's development in the coming years.

Park Rangers greet you and share stories and artifacts from the Klondike Gold Rush. Through engaging presentations and compelling video narratives, they share the miners’ personal stories, dreams, and what life was like for those hoping to find fortune. The Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park is a captivating site that is a testament to human perseverance, ambition, and the allure of adventure. The park takes you back to the late 19th century when thousands of hopeful miners rushed to the Klondike region, hoping to find gold and change their fortunes forever.

These tours often sell out well ahead of time because Skagway usually has four ships in port. If you want to take a Skagway helicopter excursion to the glacier or to the dog sledding camp, we urge you to book the tour right now. Invariably, these cruise passengers voice the reasons that they booked their Skagway tours on the ship, and what follows is a brief overview.

The Yukon, with its sprawling landscapes, dramatic mountain vistas, and pristine lakes, represents the untamed beauty and rugged history of the North like no other place. Whether you choose a 6-hour scenic boat cruise, paddle through serene waters on a canoe, or soar above the landscape on a 5-hour helicopter ride to the glacier’s base. This blend of history, community, and the simple joy of discovery makes exploring downtown Skagway one of the most rewarding experiences for visitors seeking the essence of this unique Alaskan town. Beyond the culinary scene, downtown Skagway is a history and culture treasure trove. Stroll past historic saloons and explore engaging museums that bring the Gold Rush era to life, or take in a show at one of the historic theaters.