It all begins with sightseeing! Hope you brought your passport, camera and phone charger, you will need them today!

You’ll find pull offs with a variety of interpretive signage that point out historic places, typical wildlife seen in these spots, or factoids about people who made a historic contribution to the area. You’ll read about the 1896 Klondike Gold Rush history, the expedition team that made the boundary between Alaska and Yukon and who“White Pass” is named after and so much more- Or just stop for the pure pleasure of the surrounding beauty and fresh air It’s your journey so, Explore your way!

If you have time and want to see the rural side of Skagway or venture into the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, head down the Dyea Rd, just off the S. Klondike highway on the edge of town (follow signs). In Dyea you may spot wildlife, migrating birds (even your Cruise ship if you stop at the town lookout!) Take a walk out on the flats, or along the foot bridge to watch spawning Pink Salmon (July-Aug) or walk through the historic Dyea Townsite.

Maybe you have a penchant for Waterfalls. Heading up the highway you will see many, but 2 are particularly photographic. On the right side, there is a pull off where you can view Pitchfork Falls. Alongside it you will see a penstock, which siphons water out of Goat Lake, a natural glacier lake above, down to the hydraulic plant below. This is also a good spot to get a photo of the train if it is passing by.

The other Waterfall that is worth a stop is on the left and a great spot to stop on the way back down. This is Bridal Veil Falls. The water that flows is so pure you can dip a cup in it and enjoy a crisp clean cup of glacier water.

While in Skagway, don’t miss Lower Reid Falls. From the road, follow the sign for the Gold Rush cemetery following the access road that leads behind the WPYR train yard. There is a well worn, short path at the rear of the cemetery that leads to a spectacular waterfall and is worthy of the 5 min hike up to it!

Whatever way you tell your story to friends back home, you will want a photo of this recognizable location along the road. This is such a popular photo stop that we recommend stopping if it is not already busy when on the way to Canada. If you wait, be forewarned, it can get pretty crowded with tour bus passengers on their way back to Skagway.

Speaking of Canada, once you pass the Alaska sign, you will be crossing the natural border between USA & Canada.. To your left is the gorgeous International Falls, which marks the physical boundary between Canada and USA. The runoff flows both in a southerly direction via the Skagway River to the Ocean & in a northerly direction to the Yukon River.

All drive times are given as an estimate and based on a direct non-stop drive.

Yukon Suspension Bridge- Drive time is about 45 min/ 28 miles from Skagway. You will pass through Canadian customs 1st.

Tutshi Sled Dog Camp- located at 78.5km on the S.Klondike Highway (before you reach the Yukon Sign). Drive time is about 1 hour from Skagway / 45 miles from Skagway.

Caribou Crossing. Located between Carcross desert and Emerald Lake. Drive time 1.5 hours/ 67 miles from Skagway

As you head toward Carcross you will be amazed at the pristine beauty of the wilderness. Make a photo stop at the Yukon sign. Look to the mountain on the left, you may see goats or sheep. With the naked eye, sheep look like grains of rice and sheep look like cotton balls- that is, unless you brought your good camera lens or binoculars.

Often missed is the Welcome to British Columbia sign. Located at the opposite end of this pull off.

A short distance further down the road, along Tagish Lake are the remains of the abandoned Venus Silver Mine. What you see to the left descending to the lake is the wooden conveyor. Midway up the mountain to the left, with a keen eye the wood framed entrance to the mine can still be seen from the road below.You will no doubt spot the remnants of the Tramway used by the miners of the now abandoned, Conrad city to get the ore down to the lakeside terminal.

You have arrived at the end of the trail, but the journey is not over. Turn into the town of Carcross at the Caribou sculpture where you will find food, a cozy shopping area where local artisan’s are selling their wares. There is a remnant of a steamship that used to travel along the lakes to the Yukon River and White Pass Yukon Railroad train history, including “The Duchess” an engine built by the Baldwin locomotive Works in 1878. Get an Ice cream cone at the Oldest General store and if you like, get your passport stamped, or head to the visitors center. In Carcross you will find modern restrooms too.

After a refreshing stop in Carcross- head back out and continue past the gas station to the Carcross Desert aka, “the “smallest desert in the world”. A very interesting ecological & recreational place. Further down the road is Emerald Lake and this marks the turn around point.