Skagway Scenic Waterfall Tour

Skagway’s waterfalls are easy to miss if you stay on Broadway, but this three-hour bus tour gets you out among the spray, forest, and mountain roads quickly. The best moment comes at Bridal Veil Falls, where you can get close enough to feel the mist and touch the falling water.

I like the mix of scenery and Gold Rush history, especially the optional walk through the cemetery to Reid Falls. I also like the cross-border route, which adds the White Pass Summit and a quick stop in Canada to a short town excursion. The main consideration is that this is not a slow wilderness outing. You’ll make several short stops, and the road, walking, and border crossing may be uncomfortable for people with mobility or back problems.

Key points to know before you go

• Bridal Veil Falls offers the closest waterfall stop, with a chance to put your hands in the water.
• Reid Falls includes an optional 10-minute rainforest walk through the historic Gold Rush Cemetery.
• The bus crosses into Canada, so every passenger must bring a passport.
• Guide commentary is a major part of the experience, with local history and colorful descriptions during the ride.
• The $82 price covers three hours of transport, guiding, and several photo stops, but not food or drinks.
• The tour is not suited to wheelchair users or people with back problems, and comfortable shoes are important.

Why this Skagway waterfall tour works well

Skagway is compact, but its best waterfalls sit along the Klondike Highway, beyond the downtown storefronts. A bus tour makes practical sense here. You can see several falls in one morning or afternoon without arranging a car, figuring out border rules, or keeping track of mountain roads yourself.

The ride also gives your guide time to explain what you are seeing. This is not simply a shuttle from one photo stop to another. You’ll hear local history, stories connected to the Gold Rush Cemetery, and descriptions of the waterfalls as you travel.

The guides are one of the strongest parts of the outing. Clay, one of the drivers, has been praised for clear, interesting commentary and plenty of energy. The guide also takes photos for couples, which is a small but useful touch when you want a picture of both of you rather than another arm’s-length selfie.

At $82 per person, this sits in the middle range for a short Skagway shore excursion. I consider it good value if you want a guided overview with several stops. It is less compelling if your only goal is one waterfall or if you prefer a long hike with little time on a bus.

Starting downtown at 216 Broadway

The tour begins at 216 Broadway, inside Richter’s Souvenir and Popcorn store. From the cruise ships, allow about 10 minutes to walk to the meeting point.

That location is convenient once you are in central Skagway, but cruise passengers should not cut the timing too close. Broadway can be busy, and you’ll want a few minutes to find the Southeast Tour desk, check in, and get settled.

The outing lasts three hours, so it fits neatly into many cruise-day schedules. Still, check your ship’s all-aboard time carefully. A cross-border drive and several scenic stops leave little room for a late return.

Reid Falls and the Gold Rush Cemetery

The first major stop is Reid Falls, reached through the historic Gold Rush Cemetery. You can stay near the cemetery and viewing area, or take the optional walk toward the falls.

The hike takes about 10 minutes through rainforest. That is short by hiking standards, but the ground can be wet or uneven, and comfortable shoes matter. This is not the place for smooth-soled dress shoes.

The cemetery gives the stop more meaning than a quick waterfall photo. Skagway grew rapidly during the Klondike Gold Rush, and the site connects the natural scenery with the people who passed through during that rough period. Your guide provides the historical background, so you are not left to guess what you are seeing.

I like this opening stop because it offers a choice. You can take the walk if you want a bit of forest and history, or keep the visit easier if you are saving your legs for the other stops. The tradeoff is that the optional hike may not suit anyone with mobility limits, back trouble, or difficulty walking on uneven ground.

Bridal Veil Falls puts you near the spray

Bridal Veil Falls is the most hands-on stop. The viewing area brings you close enough to feel the mist, and you can put your hands in the water.

That closeness changes the experience. You are not only looking at a distant white ribbon across the mountainside. You get the sound, cool air, and wet spray that make a waterfall visit memorable.

Bring a camera, but protect it from the mist. Weather can change quickly in this part of Alaska, so a waterproof layer is more useful than an umbrella. The tour information advises dressing for current conditions, and that advice is worth taking seriously.

This is also one of the better places to ask your guide questions. The ride commentary is part of the tour’s appeal, and guides such as Clay have been praised for making the information interesting rather than simply reciting facts.

Pitch Fork Falls brings a bigger view

Pitch Fork Falls is described as the second-largest waterfall in Southeast Alaska. The stop is mainly for viewing and photographs, so expect a scenic pause rather than a long walk or an extended visit at the base.

The scale helps balance the close-up experience at Bridal Veil Falls. At Bridal Veil, you feel part of the scene. At Pitch Fork, you take in a broader view and appreciate the force and height from a distance.

Because the tour visits several falls, your guide can explain how each one differs. That makes the stops feel less repetitive. You are not looking at the same type of viewpoint again and again, even though waterfalls are the main theme.

Keep your camera ready as you approach each stop. The tour is designed around short photo opportunities, and the weather may change the character of the falls from one day to the next.

White Pass Summit and the Alaska sign

The bus continues toward White Pass Summit, an important point on the route and a popular photo stop. The summit adds a high mountain viewpoint to the waterfall visits.

You’ll also stop at the Welcome to Alaska sign. It is a simple roadside photo opportunity, but it serves a useful purpose. If you have crossed over from Canada on the route, the sign marks your return to Alaska in a clear, easy-to-understand way.

The route includes International Falls just after crossing into Canada. This is a practical reminder that the tour is not confined to Skagway or the United States. You get a taste of the cross-border White Pass route without committing to a full-day Canadian excursion.

The stop is brief, so do not expect a long Canadian visit or time for a separate activity. The value is in the scenery, the road trip, and the chance to add an international border crossing to a short excursion.

Crossing the Captain William Moore Bridge

The tour passes the Captain William Moore Bridge, which has a newer pedestrian walkway that opened in 2020. This is one of the more unusual details along the route and adds a piece of modern local infrastructure to the mountain scenery.

You should think of this as a passing point of interest rather than a separate bridge walk. The tour description highlights the walkway, but the scheduled experience remains a bus tour with scenic stops. If walking across the bridge is your main goal, confirm the exact stop arrangement before booking.

The bridge also fits the broader character of the outing. You get natural scenery, Gold Rush connections, border views, and present-day Skagway in a single route.

The Skagway City Overlook closes the loop

The final scenic stop is the Skagway City Overlook. From here, you can look back toward town and understand its setting more clearly.

After spending time along the highway and near the waterfalls, the overlook gives you a useful sense of place. Skagway is not just a row of historic-looking buildings. It is a small town pressed between water and steep mountain terrain, with the road climbing quickly away from the waterfront.

This stop is especially helpful if you are new to Skagway. You can match the city below with the places you have visited during the tour. It is also a calmer final photo stop before the bus returns to 216 Broadway.

What the $82 price really covers

The $82 fare includes the guided bus ride, scenic waterfall stops, history and commentary, the optional Gold Rush Cemetery walk, and photo opportunities along the route. Meals and drinks are not included.

I see the strongest value in the number of locations covered during three hours. You would need your own transportation to visit the falls, summit, cemetery, Alaska sign, and overlook independently. A guided ride also removes the work of navigation and border planning.

The price is less attractive if you expect a full meal, a long hike, or a large amount of free time at each stop. This is a compact sightseeing tour, not a backcountry adventure.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your cruise schedule is still shifting. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, according to the tour terms.

Who should book this outing

I would recommend this tour to you if you want:

• Several scenic stops without renting a car
• A short excursion that fits a cruise-day schedule
• A guide who explains local history during the drive
• Waterfalls that offer both close and distant viewing
• A quick trip across the Canadian border
• Help taking photos of couples or small groups

It is a good match for first-time visitors who want an overview of the road beyond Skagway. It also suits anyone who prefers a guided ride to planning separate transport.

I would be cautious if you have significant mobility limitations, back problems, or difficulty standing and walking. The tour is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users, pregnant women, people with back problems, and people with mobility impairments. The optional hike can be skipped, but not every part of the outing is designed around easy access.

Bring your passport. You need it to cross into Canada, even though the tour begins and ends in Skagway. Also bring weather-appropriate clothing, sturdy comfortable shoes, and a camera. Smoking is not allowed.

Should you book the Skagway Scenic Waterfall Tour?

Book it if you want a well-packed three-hour introduction to Skagway’s waterfalls and mountain road, with enough history to give the scenery context. The mix of Reid Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Pitch Fork Falls, the White Pass Summit, International Falls, the Alaska sign, and the city overlook gives you plenty to see for the price.

Skip it if you want a quiet, unhurried hike or a tour focused on one major waterfall. For most cruise passengers, though, the route offers a practical balance: easy transport, several strong photo stops, a Canadian border crossing, and guides who make the ride more than a simple transfer.

FAQ

Where does the Skagway Scenic Waterfall Tour begin?

It begins at 216 Broadway, at the Southeast Tour desk inside Richter’s Souvenir and Popcorn store.

How far is the meeting point from the cruise ships?

The meeting point is about a 10-minute walk from the ships.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts three hours.

Is a passport required?

Yes. You must bring a passport because the route crosses the border into Canada.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The tour is conducted in English with a live English-speaking guide.

Is the Gold Rush Cemetery hike required?

No. The approximately 10-minute walk through the historic Gold Rush Cemetery to Reid Falls is optional.

Are meals and drinks included?

No. Meals and drinks are not included.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The tour is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, people with back problems, and pregnant women.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport, comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and a camera. Check the weather before leaving and dress accordingly.