White Pass Summit & City Tour

Some of the best shore excursions in Alaska are budget-friendly tours suitable for the entire family. Take this one, for example! One of the best-reviewed and most popular of our Skagway tours is the White Pass Summit and City Tour, which showcases all the local highlights in 2 ½ enjoyable hours. On the White Pass Summit and City Tour, you’ll first explore historic Skagway, receiving a great overview of the town with narration from a knowledgeable local guide, before heading up the Klondike Highway to White Pass Summit. On this spectacular scenic drive you’ll pass through stunning alpine scenery: snow-capped peaks, alpine meadows, misty white waterfalls, and crystal mountain lakes. You’ll also make stops at points of historic interest along the Gold Rush Trail of 1898, including Brackett Wagon Road, Pitchfork Falls, Moore Creek Bridge, and overlooks above the WP & YR railroad. After reaching White Pass Summit at 3292 feet above sea level, you’ll pass through the sub-arctic alpine tundra of the “Tormented Valley” and beside the crystal blue waters of Summit Lake before stopping for a photo opportunity at the famous ‘Welcome to Alaska’ sign. Wildlife sightings are common on this tour, so be ready with your camera when grizzlies appear!

This popular White Pass Summit and City Tour is not available through the cruise lines. Unlike the cruise line tours that depart in 45-passenger buses, this outing is strictly local, with between 13-32 passengers aboard a comfortable mini-coach with large viewing windows. At a convenient 2 ½ hours, this tour also gives you ample time to spend some extra hours exploring Skagway; you’ll have time to do some shopping or even to add another unforgettable experience to your itinerary, such as a ziplining, dogsledding, or horseriding. If you’re searching for a comfortable, budget-friendly, and family-appropriate excursion into the wilderness, the White Pass Summit and City Tour is no doubt one of the best shore excursions in Alaska!

Looking for a longer or more customizable tour into the wilderness? You may want to check out one of our private tours, like the Private Emerald Lake Tour. It's one of the most exclusive and best shore excursions in Alaska!