10+ Free Things To Do In Skagway (And Low-Cost Options)

Surrounded by towering mountains and the Lynn Canal, Skagway is one of the best Alaska small towns for budget-minded travelers. The town is compact, walkable, and filled with scenic viewpoints, historic streets, and nature trails, all free to enjoy.

Waterfront walks, ranger programs, Klondike Gold Rush museums, and hikes with mountain views are among the best free activities here.

Skagway is one of our favorite destinations for its Klondike Gold Rush history and historic buildings. We visit annually. If you have a day in Skagway this summer, our guide features popular free activities and a few that cost a few dollars.

Things To Do In Skagway For Free

The following activities are all within Skagway. Eight are downtown near the cruise port, and three require hikes or walks.

Explore Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

Interestingly, the Klondike Gold Rush Historical Park has units in both Skagway and Seattle. The small unit in Seattle documents how Seattle became the main supply hub for the Gold Rush.

However, the park’s main historic district is in Skagway. Head to the visitor center at Broadway and 2nd Streets to join a ranger-led tour, listen to presentations, and learn about the 1897–1898 Klondike Gold Rush, when thousands of stampeders passed through Skagway.

Visitors can:

• Get a map and enjoy a self-guided tour.
• Watch the “Gold Rush Fever” film.
• Earn their Junior Ranger badge (for kids).

It’s one of the easiest free activities because it’s just a 10-minute walk from the Skagway cruise docks.

Walk The Historic Boardwalk On Broadway

Downtown Skagway still looks like a Gold Rush frontier town with wooden sidewalks, colorful buildings, and restored sites. Strolling Broadway lets you see the old architecture and historic storefronts without spending anything.

Don’t miss:

• Infamous Red Onion Saloon.
• Arctic Brotherhood Hall is made of sticks.
• 1898 Golden North Hotel with its golden onion dome.
• Mascot Saloon is a restored bar from the early 1900s.

We found 2nd Avenue interesting, too. It houses the 1900 Railway Building and the Jeff. Smiths Parlor Museum.

Stroll To Gold Rush Cemetery And Reid Falls

This is one of Skagway’s most popular free walks. From the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park visitor center, it’s a two-mile walk to Gold Rush Cemetery north of town. The walk takes about 35 minutes on a relatively flat route.

The cemetery includes graves from the Gold Rush era, including infamous outlaw Soapy Smith and Frank Reid. If you don’t want to walk, the SMART shuttle bus costs USD 5.

A short trail leads from the back of the cemetery to Lower Reid Falls, a scenic waterfall in the forest. We’ve visited many times, but we’ve seen heavier flows in spring with ice and snow melt.

Walk To Yakutania Point And Smuggler’s Cove

This short coastal trail offers views of Lynn Canal, mountains, and wildlife—including bald eagles and seals. More scenic than the route to the cemetery, it is favored by families for its easy terrain and beachcombing along the shoreline.

Forest and ocean views give a true Alaska feel without a long hike. Yakutania Point is close, but those continuing to Smuggler’s Cove find quieter overlooks and more wildlife. The route includes fitness stations for strengthening exercises.

Both trails start at the metal footbridge that crosses the Skagway River, just a few minutes from the cruise port. The wooded path provides welcome shade on warm summer days and shelter from rain, making it a reliable option regardless of the weather.

Hike To Lower Dewey Lake

For avid hikers, the Dewey Lakes trail system in Skagway offers routes to Lower and Upper Dewey Lakes. Its route is popular for hiking in Skagway, for both visitors and locals, which provides peek-a-boo views of the port during the ascent.

The climb is steep for the first ½ mile, which may challenge those seeking an easier hike, and we saw many hikers turn back before reaching the top.

The trail reaches a reservoir before the alpine lake. We recommend continuing the trek around the lake, going counterclockwise for a gentler and less strenuous route.

On clear days, the mountain scenery and peaceful setting reward the effort. You’ll find quiet spots to rest, picnic, and enjoy the fresh alpine air. The trail continues to Upper Dewey Lake, a more difficult all-day route for experienced hikers.

Photograph Arctic Brotherhood Hall

One of Skagway’s most photographed buildings sits at 205 Broadway Street. The exterior is covered with over 8,000 pieces of driftwood, and the visitor center is housed there today.

The Arctic Brotherhood Hall is a relic of the Klondike Gold Rush. The hall was built by prospectors who formed a group that met when Skagway was a booming town.

Watch A Salmon Run In Pullen Creek

In July and August, salmon run in Pullen Creek near the port, offering easy wildlife viewing in Skagway. The Pullen Creek Stream Walk gives excellent chances to see chinook (king) and pink salmon moving upstream, often in large numbers.

Where the creek meets the ocean, salmon often pool as they gather strength before heading upstream. This gathering attracts curious onlookers as well as otters, seals, and a variety of birds hoping for an easy meal.

The salmon ladder is another prime viewing spot, where you can watch fish jamming the narrow channel as they make their final push inland. Early morning and late afternoon tend to be the most active times, especially on high tide days when more salmon enter the creek from the harbor.

Visit The Moore Homestead

The Moore Homestead is a significant historical site that embodies the pioneering spirit of the Klondike Gold Rush. Established by Captain William Moore and his son Ben in the late 19th century, this homestead reflects the rapid development of Skagway.

The National Park Service acquired and restored the homestead to preserve its rich history. We learned how the area evolved from a rough frontier town into a blossoming community.

The initial homestead began as a log cabin. Throughout the years, it expanded into a Victorian house with amenities such as electricity and a piano. The site reveals daily life for the Moores and reflects Skagway’s transformation during a pivotal era in American history.

See The Mascot Saloon Museum 

The Mascot Saloon Museum offers a glimpse into the late 19th-century Gold Rush. This once-bustling saloon now showcases artifacts and memorabilia that illustrate Skagway’s vibrant past.

Exploring the saloon’s original bar, we noticed vintage photographs and intriguing displays. Each one tells stories of miners, adventurers, and the colorful characters who frequented the establishment.

This small museum allows visitors to relive the lively atmosphere of a bygone era. I was astonished to learn this saloon had telegraph wires, a slot machine, and a custom pool table from Chicago.

Find The Sculptures

Throughout the streets of Skagway, there are sculptures and artwork to commemorate events. These include:

• The Centennial Statue – erected in 1997 to celebrate the 100 anniversary of the Klondike Gold Rush.
• Molly Walsh bust – remembers the “first woman” of the Gold Rush era.
• The Stampeders Statue – depicts a stampeder and a faithful sled dog.
• An old White Pass steam engine near the Skagway Museum.

Visit Jeff Smiths Parlor Museum

The Jeff. Smiths Parlor Museum was the headquarters for Jefferson “Soapy” Smith, a Klondike Gold Rush con man. Though his tenure was short, the building is now a legend and central to Skagway’s colorful history.

Today, the museum displays artifacts, photos, and quirky items. Ranger talks last 20–30 minutes and are ideal for cruise visitors wanting a quick history stop.

Molly Walsh Park (For Kids)

If you visit Skagway with children, head to Mollie Walsh Park, on 6th Avenue, for some outdoor fun. This charming urban green space pays tribute to the remarkable life of Mollie Walsh, a pioneering woman of the Gold Rush era.

The landscape park has a forest-themed playground. The tall evergreens add Alaska charm.

Beyond Skagway’s Free Attractions

Beyond these no-fee activities, there are some things to do that require a minimal fee.

Browse Skagway Museum

The Skagway Museum, in the historic McCabe College building (7th Avenue and Spring Street), has a modest admission fee of just USD 2. Of all the museums we visited in Alaska, this one is one of the best. I particularly liked the duck neck quilt near the entrance.

It has a permanent collection of artifacts, photographs, and historical records that showcase the town’s vibrant past from the early 1900s.

As Alaska’s first stone building, built with granite via WP&YR Railroad, the museum is a historical landmark itself.

Eat Frybread At Klondike Doughboy

If you’re hungry in Skagway, head to Klondike Doughboy, a beloved local gem located at 326 3rd Ave. This charming bakery offers delicious and freshly made fried bread for USD 7, with your choice of toppings. We went with cinnamon sugar and shared one, because they are large.

It’s busy on port days, but the line moves quickly. Don’t miss this Skagway treat!

Try Spruce Tip Ale

Alaska’s Spruce Tip Ale, especially by Skagway Brewing Company, stands out. Crafted with hand-picked Sitka spruce tips, it delivers citrus notes and a smooth finish.

They brew their own beer and grow vegetables in an aeroponics garden. Its fresh ingredients make it a top place to eat in Skagway.

Skagway Cultural Garden Tour

The Skagway Cultural Garden Tour (USD 10) blends art, history, and Alaska Native culture. Visit to see 27 sculptures among annuals and perennials.

This self-guided tour offers beauty and intriguing stories that foster a deeper appreciation and understanding of Alaska Native heritage.

Sharing is caring!