Chilkoot Trail Hike, Float, and Summit Drive
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Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 46 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Chilkoot Trail Hike, Float, and Summit Drive worth booking?
Chilkoot Trail Hike, Float, and Summit Drive is a 6-hour experience in Skagway, United States, from $256 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 46 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 73 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (46)
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $256 per person
Explore the first two miles of the Chilkoot Trail with your naturalist river guide who will then row you down the scenic Taiya river in one of our stable 18' rafts. Once your float trip is complete, you'll enjoy a rive
What you get
About this experience
Explore the first two miles of the Chilkoot Trail with your naturalist river guide who will then row you down the scenic Taiya river in one of our stable 18' rafts. Once your float trip is complete, you'll enjoy a riverside snack and warm beverage. From here, we'll board back into the van and venture up the White Pass (north of Skagway) for sweeping views of towering mountains, glaciers and alpine lakes. We'll return back through U.S. customs and back to Skagway once we've made a photo stop at the "Welcome to Alaska" sign. **VALID PASSPORT REQUIRED**
What's included
Included
- Trekking poles
- Rubber boots
- Professional guide
- Driver/guide
- Snacks
- Beverages
- Rain poncho if needed
- PFD (personal flotation device)
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Skagway
Explore this historic Gold Rush town's charming downtown, quaint residential area, and small-town amenities as your expert guide regales you with it's history and fun facts. Does Skagway truly not have a doctor? Where do local children go to school? How many people live here year-round?
Pass by without stopping
Take a look at the town of Skagway and the Skagway River from a higher perspective! Stop at the Skagway Overlook for scenic photo opportunities of the town, confluence of the Skagway River with the Pacific Ocean, and the Chilkat Mountains in the distance.
Pass by without stopping
Enjoy a 10-mile drive along the coast to the beautiful Dyea Valley, home to an old gold rush settlement, which has now returned to nature. On the drive to the float tour, you may spot seals and eagles, and your driver will share some information on the area's history and nature.
Pass by without stopping
Chilkoot Trail
Begin hiking at the trailhead of the Chilkoot Trail, the centerpiece of the gold rush history in Skagway. This world-famous trail was the main route to the riches of the Klondike during the gold rush. Now a tranquil place of incredible beauty, the trail winds through a lush rainforest alive with birds, animals and wildflowers. Your guide will weave an entertaining mix of natural history and Klondike folklore about the gold-hungry stampeders who forged this route over 100 years ago as you follow in their footsteps.
180 minutes here
Your hike will end at the Taiya River put-in site for your float experience. A safety briefing will be provided and rubber boots, life jackets, and panchos (if raining) will be handed out to all guests. Your 18-foot raft awaits for the calm scenic float back to Dyea. During this approximately 45-minute float, you will see the forest give way to fields of beach greens and wild fireweed, and the granite walls of the fjords rise steeply to snow-capped peaks and hanging glaciers. Your guide will enthrall you with natural history, geology, and Gold Rush history along the way. At the end of the float, enjoy a riverside snack of homemade cookies and a hot beverage with countless picture-perfect moments before loading up in the van and heading to the White Pass Summit.
45 minutes here
Enter into the serenity and beauty of the 17 million-acre Tongass National Forest. Within the Tongass, you will find a plethora of flora and fauna -- with none of the crowds!
Pass by without stopping
Stop by the overlook for the glorious hanging Denver Glacier on your way up to the beautiful Summit Lake. Its surrounded by glorious old growth forest with the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad running in the foreground.
Pass by without stopping
Drive to the incredible beauty of the glacially carved valleys and peaks of the White Pass, which straddles the Alaskan and Canadian border. Look for the rushing waters of International Falls marking the border in this no-mans-land between customs houses. We'll stop for a photo opportunity at the Welcome to Alaska sign, then head back down to Skagway!
20 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Alaska Mountain Guides Adventures, inc. Chilkat Guides Ltd
Know before you go
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- A minimum of 4 people is required to operate
- A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 46 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Physical effort
6 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Traveler reviews
46 verified traveler reviews for Chilkoot Trail Hike, Float, and Summit Drive. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Outstanding Hike, Float, and Summit!
We had an outstanding tour with Troy! Troy is an unbelievable guide who did it all! He was our guide for a forest hike, he also was the raft guide down the river, and he was the driver and guide on the summit drive up the mountain. Troy is knowledgeable, and experienced, with a great sense of humor! He was the best guide of our entire Alaska trip! Thank you also to Kevin who saved the day when I forgot to bring my passport! Both Troy and Kevin are such good guys! Thank you Troy and Kevin for making our trip in Skagway so memorable!!
via Tripadvisor
SKOL Skagway!
Troy did an outstanding job on this amazing experience!! If you're looking for an excellent Skagway adventure book it now!! Thanks for the great day, Troy!!!
via Tripadvisor
Great adventure- highly recommend.
What an amazing adventure!! From start to finish, we were so glad we chose this excursion during our visit to Skagway. Oliver our tour guide was the BEST!!!!! Great sense of humor, love of his job and the nature around us was infectious. He was very knowledgeable and make the trip so much fun. The initial hike was challenging, but manageable for everyone in our group ages 10 - 65. Only 11 people are in each group, so you can ask questions and guise is able to make sure everyone is ok!. The fee was very reasonable to the 6 hour tour - would recommend for anyone visiting Skagway.
via Tripadvisor
Bad communication/signage: Missed entire excursion!
We scheduled this excursion for Skagway months ahead of time and when getting off the ship at the port you have to take a tram to a drop off point along with every other cruise ship in port. When we reached the pick up area there were 100's of people and even though we arrived over 1/2 hour early we could not find anyone holding a Chilkoot Trail Hike, Float, and Summit Drive or Alaska Mountain Guide sign. So we split up as we saw a van with Alaskan Mountain Guides on it. No one came to the van and by the time my husband found someone holding a very small piece of paper with their name on it it was too late to join the excursion.
via Tripadvisor
Ketchikan away from the cruise ship
A wonderful trip that took us away from the cruise ship and into the wilderness. Maddi was our fantastic and extremely knowledgeable guide who explained the history behind the trail, the flora and fauna we came across, before muscling the raft down river single handedly! Finally, we took in the scenic views up to the white pass summit that borders Canada. An unforgettable experience that we highly recommend!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 16
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 73
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Chilkoot Trail Hike, Float, and Summit Drive: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Skagway.
How much does Chilkoot Trail Hike, Float, and Summit Drive cost?
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Prices start at $256 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Skagway usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Chilkoot Trail Hike, Float, and Summit Drive take?
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Plan for about 6 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Skagway is not rushed.
Is Chilkoot Trail Hike, Float, and Summit Drive worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 73 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 46 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Skagway, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Chilkoot Trail Hike, Float, and Summit Drive?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Chilkoot Trail Hike, Float, and Summit Drive suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Chilkoot Trail Hike, Float, and Summit Drive?
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Around 16 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Skagway can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Skagway and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Chilkoot Trail Hike, Float, and Summit Drive start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Skagway within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Skagway?
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Skagway is a Klondike Gold Rush town built for excursions: White Pass and Yukon Route rail trips, Yukon border drives, glacier flights, dog sledding on ice fields and gold panning. On Outty we rank every Skagway experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Skagway Shore Excursion: Full-Day Tour of the Yukon, Skagway City and Summit Tour, Skagway Shore Excursion: Half-Day Tour to the Yukon Border and Suspension Bridge. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Skagway?
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May to September, the cruise season. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Skagway?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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