Fall Is The Perfect Time To Visit This Historic Mountain Town In Alaska
By Megan McDonald|Published October 19, 2021
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Megan McDonald
Author
Megan McDonald is a writer, photographer, and owner of humu media, an Alaska-based digital media agency. She spends her free time traveling with her husband and daughter around the US and the world.
As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.
If you want to try something new this season, check out Skagway, a charming mountain town in Alaska that’s the perfect place to visit in the fall. This historic town has a long history that originated in the Gold Rush, and it’s filled with wonderful things to see and do all year long. Whether you’re hiking, eating somewhere fantastic, or grabbing a cup of coffee in the morning and staring at the water, this magical spot is begging to be visited.
This small, historic town in Alaska has been around for quite a while.
In fact, Skagway’s growth is directly attributed to the Gold Rush. Gold was found in the Yukon Klondike in 1896, heralding the start of the Klondike Gold Rush. Skagway was a direct entry route for miners looking to get out and stake a claim. Incorporated in 1897, Skagway’s location grew to over 30,000 people very quickly.
Nowadays Skagway is much smaller, boasting a population of just over 1,100 people.
The town is small and nestled right on the water, but lies at the foot of the mountains. You’re just a quick drive away from some of Alaska and Canada’s most spectacular scenery. If you have a car, make sure you take a drive and see at least a part of the Golden Circle Route on the Alaska Highway.
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Skagway is the gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park.
While you’re in Skagway, explore the six-block historic business district, the Chilkoot Trail, or the corridor comprising the White Pass Trail. These places are three of the four units that the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is made of, and you can visit these spots right here in the Skagway area.
You’ll find trails to glaciers, trails to mountain passes and a waterfront oasis. And of course, the biggest and most famous draw, the Chilkoot Trail. The famous trail is the very same one miners took over a hundred and 100 years ago to reach the Yukon Goldfields. Challenging at 33 miles long, it’s an epic adventure that you’ll never forget.
If you’re visiting town, you’ll most likely be spending some time on the water.
Many visitors arrive on a ferry, and there’s tons of great ways to explore the waters nearby. Take a motorized raft out to the Lynn Canal, the deepest and longest fjord in North America, or hike by one of the many waterfalls dotting the excellent hiking trails nearby.
And what would a trip to Alaska be without seeing some glaciers?
With so many wonderful places to see and so many great things to discover, it will be hard to stay for just the weekend. Bring your family and spend some time at this charming historic town in Alaska!
Have you ever stayed in Skagway, this charming mountain town in Alaska? What did you think? Would you recommend it? Let us know in the comments below!
