From Cache

Skagway Hike and Float

On this adventure you'll retrace the steps of the Gold Rush stampeders on the infamous Chilkoot Trail, hiking through a moss-covered northern temperate rainforest for 2 miles. The scenic hike is 1.5 to 2 hours and is moderately difficult over uneven and hilly terrain (elevation gain of 300 feet) for the first mile then mostly flat ground for the remainder.

After the one-way hike, suit up in life jackets and rubber boots and enjoy your relaxing float on the tranquil Taiya River. Keep your eyes open and your camera ready to spot Bald Eagles and other potential wildlife. Your peaceful float will last roughly 40 minutes before returning you to the shore where we'll provide you with a light snack and beverage. Sit back and enjoy the scenic ride back to Skagway!

Please note: This tour is only available from Monday to Friday. All participants must sign a visitor's acknowledgment of risk before participating in this tour. Children under 18 will be required to have a parent or legal guardian sign this form.

The minimum age of participants is 5. This tour operates in both sunny and rainy weather so please dress in layers for your comfort. Waterproof jackets are advised in case of rain. Additional rain poncho and rubber boots (in place of your shoes) are provided for the raft portion only. Hiking poles are available if needed. Please wear sturdy walking/hiking shoes with good traction.

Participants must be in good physical condition for the 1.5-2 hour hike. Those with back, knee, hip, or balance issues should consider their participation in this activity. Due to safety reasons and keeping on the tour schedule, your guide will strongly advise against participation in the hike if they feel it to be too strenuous for your ability level. An alternate arrangement will be made so you can participate in the float portion.

Duration: 4-4.5 hours (Roundtrip from cruise ship terminal. Hike Time: 1.5-2 hours. Float Time: 40 minutes.)

Inclusions:

  • Roundtrip scenic transportation
  • Rain poncho, rubber boots, and life jackets are provided for the raft portion only
  • Hiking poles are available if needed
  • Beverages and a light snack

Requirements: 

  • Minimum age: 5 years old
  • Participants must be in good physical condition for the 1.5-2 hour hike. Those with back, knee, hip, or balance issues should consider their participation in this activity. Due to safety reasons and keeping on the tour schedule, your guide will strongly advise against participation in the hike if they feel it to be too strenuous for your ability level. An alternate arrangement will be made so you can participate in the float portion. 
  • Please consider bringing your own reusable water bottle to reduce the use of single-use plastic water bottles. 

Duration: 4-4.5 hours. Tour times below are approximate:

  • 1.5 hours - roundtrip guide-narrated transportation
  • 1.5~2 hours - hiking on Chilkoot Trail
  • 40 minutes - guide-navigated river float trip

Meeting Instructions:

  • This tour meets on the cruise ship dock. Fully detailed instructions are included on your finalized ticket vouchers.

ADA Accessibility of Tour:

  • This tour is not wheelchair or limited mobility accessible.

Will we get wet on the raft ride?

The river float is mild with no whitewater splashing over the side of the raft. Rain ponchos are provided for protection if needed.

How many people fit in a raft?

The river float rafts each hold a maximum of 11 passengers and 1 guide.

How difficult is the hike portion of the tour?

Both uphill and downhill have some steep sections like climbing a staircase. Some uneven terrain on dirt surface and rocks and roots to step around. Participants must be in good physical condition for the 1.5-2 hour hike. Those with back, knee, hip, or balance issues should consider their participation in this activity. Due to safety reasons and keeping on tour schedule, your guide will strongly advise against participation in the hike if they feel it to be too strenuous for your ability level. An alternate arrangement will be made so you can participate in the float portion. 

Are there any age restrictions for children?

Please contact us if you are interested in bringing a child under 5 years of age.

Can I bring a backpack?

Backpacks, small bags, and purses are allowed on this tour.

Can I bring my own food or drink?

Non-alcoholic beverages in a closeable containters and snacks are allowed on tour.

Are food and drink included?

Beverages and a light snack are included.

Not seeing answers to your questions?

Check out other frequently asked questions here!

Customer Reviews
Sep 2022 - Anne H.

Thomas was a fabulous guide. During our hike we learnt about bears and their tracks, the trees and even about mushrooms that grow in the North. It was wonderful!

Aug 2022 - Audra A.

This was definitely the highlight of our trip! Owen was a wonderful guide! He was very knowledgeable and very kind. The hike was beautiful and the float down the river was peaceful and relaxing. Thank you for creating a wonderful experience for our family, including our kids!!

Jul 2022 - Lori P.

We enjoyed the hike and float excursion very much. Owen was an excellent guide, He was very knowledgeable, shared stories and history and made sure we were safe throughout the hike and float. Highly recommend to those visiting Skagway.

Jun 2022 - Robert G.

GREAT ADVENTURE; HIKE WAS ENJOYABLE AND THE FLOAT WAS SCENIC AND RELAXING. THE GUIDES WERE AWESOME!!! LEARNED TO LIKE THE LICHEN!!

Sep 2019 - Marcie B.

Absolutely loved the hike and float. Our guide was easy going and very knowledgeable. If you want to experience the land this is the perfect excursion. One of my favorite days spent in Alaska.

Sep 2019 - Kathryn B.

Great hike and storytelling from Owen. Good pacing on the hills and plenty of time to enjoy the scenery.

Aug 2019 - JAY K.

What an excellent tour. We had a family of 9 (7 kids ages 5-18) and the hike was amazing. Brooke was an excellent guide. Stopped and took the time to show us different trees, plants, and berries. The float trip was relaxing and we seen several bald eagles. The snacks at the end was a nice freshening surprise.

Aug 2019 - Jason S.

We had a great guide who was really nice and knowledgeable. I think her name was Brooke. She seemed to really care about everyone's safety. It was a fun hike and float. Everything went very smooth. Great time and exactly as described.

Jul 2019 - Robert S.

Unique but great guide.

Jun 2019 - Russell S.

Hike was great, float a little boring. Owen was a great guide

Jun 2019 - John M.

Owen did a great job giving us historical and botanical facts along our hike. He was a fantastic guide. We thoroughly enjoyed this excursion.

Jun 2019 - Lyndon V.

This was a great experience. I consider the hike more than moderately difficult, but it was worth the effort to get to the float. The scenery was amazing and the guide was very good about using breaks to point things out while allowing others in the group to take make the hike at a reasonable pace.

Jun 2019 - Barbara M.

Our tour guide was awesome.

Jun 2019 - Charles Z.

OUR tour guide SAM was excellent! I would highly recommend him! very caring, knowable and pleasant

Jun 2019 - Charles H.

The guides did a great job. My wife was having difficulty with the steep hills on the hike. The second guide stayed with her until the ground was smooth. The whole crew went above and beyond to assure a fun, educational, and SAFE event. Thank you. I would do this again.

May 2019 - Kristy C.

We really loved this hike and float. The drive, hike and float were all beautiful. I love hiking but haven't gotten to hike much in Alaska so that was my favorite part. Our guide was awesome and did a great job of checking in on everyone to make sure we were doing well. And also a great job of sharing info about the area. This was a wonderful way to spend our time in Skagway!

May 2019 - Reuben M.

This was a delightful excursion. A small group of us spending time in the beautiful outdoors of Skagway. The hike was not terribly difficult and the float down the river was peaceful and lovely. And the crew that was with us (Joe, Heidi, Hannah) were all great. Easy to talk to and seemed sincerely interested in us. Highly recommend.

May 2019 - Tara R.

AMAZING!! Our guide (Sam) was wonderful and very knowledgeable about Alaska, local wildlife and forest growth. This excursion was the highlight of my trip.

May 2019 - Melissa B.

What a beautiful hike! Joe was very knowledgable and taught us a lot about the forest. The float was a great way to see Alaska from a new perspective!

May 2019 - Jeremy S.

This excursion was by far my favorite experience from my Alaskan travels. The hike took us through beautiful woody areas and the float was a perfect relaxation afterward. Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable which made the entire experience top notch.

Sep 2018 - Stacey R.

Ryan was an amazing tour guide. He shared a lot of knowledge with us. We all really enjoyed it.

Sep 2018 - David M.

Excellent tour. Ryan paced the hike perfectly for the group, and shared his knowledge of the area. Float was pleasant. Back at the kiosk Lisa offered to text me about the lights, now that was above and beyond. Thanks all

Sep 2018 - Jessica B.

Sam was our guide and he was great! I loved the fact he was hiking in sandals. Very informative about a lot of different plants and habits of alaska. Hike was not difficult but definitely uneven terrain as stated. The float was great and beautiful and we even got to see some river seals along the way!

Aug 2018 - Suman J.

Awesome service. Knowledge of the providers was great.

Aug 2018 - Ann T.

We had a wonderful guide on this excursion. We really enjoyed our time on Skagway. I would highly recommend this excursion.

Aug 2018 - Wendy K.

Beautiful hike and we loved the float!

Aug 2018 - Jeffrey L.

The hike was more rugged than I expected but the area peaceful and beautiful. Brooke gave us wonderful information about the rain forest the trees the relationship between the water and the birds the fish. She was most helpful and informative.

Aug 2018 - Con M.

As grandparents, we took our third granddaughter on this excursion. The early part of the climb is a challenge but the guide stopped often enough to let us catch our breath. The guide was very knowledgeable and even let some of our younger passengers work the oars on the raft. We would do it again.

Jul 2018 - Janet H.

The hike and float was great! Such a beautiful place! Joe, our guide, did a great job! He was friendly, very informative, and patient with our group.

Jul 2018 - Michael N.

Great time and wonderful guide!!

Jul 2018 - Joanne T.

This was a great excursion! We were picked up right at the ship by a very friendly and enthusiastic guide named Becca. She was awesome, very knowledgable about the history of Skagway and Dyea. She also was a wealth of information about the plants we encountered on our hike and about the changing landscape of the river. The scenery was beautiful. The hike is a bit strenuous but we were provided with hiking poles which made it more manageable. Definitely worth the money. If you're not afraid of sweating a little, do it!

Jul 2018 - Terry A.

This was a very nice hike, nothing strenuous at all. Beautiful scenery. Stopped several times for us to rest & talk to us. The float was great! Wasn't nervous at all bc u could tell guide knew what he was doing. He was very knowledgeable & nice! (Can't remember his name, young, dark hair) Worth the money!

Jul 2018 - Kevin H.

Ryan did a great job guiding us on this tour. Everything was as described, and it met our expectations.

Jul 2018 - Vance V.

We had an amazing time. Joe our Excursion lead was awesome he was knowledgeable and considerate. The hike was pretty steep at some points but very manageable. We saw quite a few eagles and enjoyed the relaxing float.

Jul 2018 - James M.

This excursion was as advertised. Our guide, Joe, was friendly, easy-going and knowledgeable. The only thing that would have made it better was a few more wildlife sitings.

Jun 2018 - Jerry R.

Our guide was very informative, fun and the trip was fantastic

Jun 2018 - Michele S.

Bob was a great guide! Fun and informative

Jun 2018 - Karen G.

The scenery was incredible and our guide was great.

Jun 2018 - Karen N.

awesome hike, friendly and interesting guide taught us much about plants and animals; wonderful float down the river where we saw river otter and bald eagles. wish we could have done this all day. simply fantastic!

Jun 2018 - Veronica R.

Amazing guide and awesome experience with everything ran very professional.

Jun 2018 - Thanh Lan P.

Bryan was great. He is gentle, knowledgeable and let us take our time as well as explained all our questions.

Jun 2018 - Maxyne S.

There were 6 of us led by Ryan, who is personable & knowledgeable. We all had a great time on this wonderful tour- highly recommend.

May 2018 - Lisa C.

There are several companies that run this tour. This one is called Skagway Float Tours and I highly recommend them. I booked this independently of the cruise line and saved about a third of the cost. The rep was easy to find at the terminal. Do not worry - you will make it back in time despite the cruise lines' scare tactics. Skagway is so small there are no issues. The guide was extremely friendly and knowledgeable and truly enjoyed his job. Customer service was excellent. I generally am not one to post reviews but I had such a great experience, the best way I can thank them is to provide some positive feedback for the next parties.

Aug 2017 - Jennifer G.

Our tour guide was amazing and really went above and beyond for us when we had an unexpected event.

Jul 2017 - Sri B.

What a guide - Amazing. First I was concerned that the guide was aged and wondered how he would do the hike. Boy was I wrong. He was great and very knowledgeable. This was one of our best hikes yet in Alaska. Would do it again and this trail is simply the best. We plan on doing a longer one the next time we visit. Don't even think twice about this - just do it. You will love it

Jun 2017 - LEI T.

like the wildness of Alaska, our coach Brain did a good job ! just make sure you dress warm before you getting into the floater.

Sep 2016 - Jennifer W.

Loved walk and raft. Very knowledgeable guide. Great scenery.thank you

Jun 2016 - Kristin S.

The hike was fun and float was relaxing.

May 2016 - Chad B.

Our guide was awesome! Knowledgeable and friendly...we had a great time. I would recommend this excursion for anyone who wants to get out and explore a bit. Top notch!!!

May 2016 - Connie D.

Great hike !!! We had an excellent guide Sam who was very kind and informative

May 2016 - Mark R.

Great hike and tour guide - JC is the absolute best! Hike goes up and down moderate to steep terrain- you should be reasonably fit to complete it. The float back was a nice relaxing way to return- no white water. Scenery was awesome and we saw several eagles on the float back.

BEST PRICE Guarantee!

$131.25

BEST PRICE Guarantee!

Duration: 4-4.5 hours



Number of Passengers *

Adult: $131.25

Child (5-12): $110.25

Total
$0.00
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