Skagway Scenic Waterfall Tour

Waterfalls make Skagway feel bigger than its streets. This three-hour bus tour reaches Reid Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Pitch Fork Falls, the White Pass Summit, and a stop in Canada, giving you a broad sample of the area without requiring a full day away from town. I especially like the easy scenic bus ride and the chance to get close enough to Bridal Veil Falls to feel its spray. The guide commentary also adds real value, particularly around the Gold Rush Cemetery and the old mining country.

The main consideration is the border crossing. You must carry a passport, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, pregnant women, or people with back problems. The optional walk to Reid Falls is short, but comfortable shoes and weather-ready clothing matter in Skagway.

Quick takeaways from the waterfall route

• Bridal Veil Falls brings you close to the water, with a viewing point where you can put your hands in the flow and feel the mist.
• Reid Falls starts with Gold Rush Cemetery, followed by an optional 10-minute rainforest walk.
• Pitch Fork Falls is billed as the second-largest waterfall in Southeast Alaska, making it one of the route’s major sights.
• The route crosses into Canada, so your passport is essential for the Welcome to Alaska Sign and International Falls.
• Guide quality is a major strength, with Clay praised for informative, interesting commentary and several guides noted for helping with memorable photos.
• The $82 price covers three hours of transport, guiding, and several scenic stops, but meals and drinks are not included.

Why this three-hour tour works well in Skagway

Skagway is compact, but its surroundings quickly turn wild. A walking tour can show you the old town and Gold Rush buildings, yet it will not take you to the waterfalls spread along the route toward White Pass. This excursion handles the driving while you look out the window and listen to stories.

I like the balance here. You are not committed to a long hiking day, but you still leave the center of town and see the mountain roads, forest, rushing water, and border country. The bus is especially useful when the weather turns wet, which is hardly unusual in Southeast Alaska.

The tour lasts three hours and returns to 216 Broadway, the same general area where you begin. That makes it a practical choice for a cruise day, though you should allow about 10 minutes to walk from the ships to the Southeast Tours desk inside Richter’s Souvenir and Popcorn store.

The guide is central to the experience. Commentary covers the waterfalls, local history, and colorful descriptions of the places along the way. Clay received especially strong praise for making the ride informative and interesting, while other guides have been noted for their energy and willingness to take photos for couples. That last detail matters more than it sounds. At several stops, you may want a picture with both people in the frame, and a helpful guide can save you from relying on a stranger or a timer.

Reid Falls and Gold Rush Cemetery

The first major stop combines two different Skagway subjects: rushing water and the town’s Gold Rush past. Reid Falls is located in Gold Rush Cemetery, and you have the option of taking a roughly 10-minute rainforest walk toward the falls.

I like this pairing because it gives the stop more substance than a quick roadside photo. You can hear about the cemetery and the people connected to Skagway’s mining era, then walk through the forest to see Reid Falls. The cemetery also adds a quieter, more reflective side to a town often associated with cruise crowds and souvenir shops.

The walk is optional, which helps if the weather is poor or you want to conserve energy for the later stops. Still, the tour is not designed for travelers with mobility limitations, and the trip information specifically advises against it for wheelchair users, people with back problems, and people with mobility impairments. Wear shoes with a good grip, since wet conditions can change how comfortable a short forest walk feels.

This is also a good place to keep your camera ready, but do not treat the cemetery only as a backdrop. Listen to the guide. The historical commentary is one of the better reasons to choose this tour over simply hiring transport to a waterfall.

Bridal Veil Falls and the feel of spray

Bridal Veil Falls is likely the most hands-on stop. The bus brings you close to the waterfall, where you can reach out and put your hands in the water. Depending on conditions, you may also feel mist on your face.

That small detail changes the experience. From a distant viewpoint, a waterfall can become just another photo on a busy sightseeing day. Here, the water has sound, movement, and weather on your skin. I would keep your camera protected and avoid assuming that a clear morning will stay dry.

The stop is built for photographs, but the best moment may be the few seconds when you put the camera away. Watch the water, listen to the falls, and let the guide explain what you are seeing. This is one of the places where the route feels more personal than a simple drive-by tour.

You will want weather-appropriate clothing. A waterproof outer layer is sensible, and comfortable shoes are important throughout the day. The supplied information does not promise a specific amount of time at the falls, so I would plan to enjoy the stop without trying to stage an elaborate photo session.

Pitch Fork Falls, one of the route’s major sights

Pitch Fork Falls is described as the second-largest waterfall in Southeast Alaska. It is a photo stop and a guided stop, so you get time to look and hear the story rather than simply passing it through a bus window.

The scale of the falls gives the route a useful middle point. Reid Falls offers a forest walk and cemetery setting. Bridal Veil Falls provides close contact with the water. Pitch Fork Falls brings a bigger scenic display and helps explain why the drive beyond Skagway is worth your time.

You should think of this as a viewing and photography stop, not a hiking destination. The tour is designed to bring you to scenic platforms and viewpoints, then move on to the next place. If your priority is spending a long time beside one waterfall, this may feel too structured. If you want to see several sites in one morning or afternoon, the pace makes sense.

Guide commentary matters here because the label second-largest gives the stop context. Without explanation, you might take a picture and move on. With a guide, you get a clearer sense of how the falls fit into Southeast Alaska’s broader scenery.

Crossing toward Canada and the White Pass Summit

The route continues toward White Pass Summit and crosses into Canada. You stop at the Welcome to Alaska Sign and International Falls, located just after the border crossing. This adds a small international twist to what could otherwise be a local waterfall tour.

Bring your passport. It is required for crossing the border into Canada, and you should not assume that a cruise card or other identification will be enough. The passport requirement is the most important practical point on this portion of the trip.

The Welcome to Alaska Sign is a straightforward photo stop, but it is useful for marking the journey and giving you a classic roadside picture. International Falls adds another waterfall to the day, while the White Pass Summit provides a high-country viewpoint along the route.

Weather can change quickly around a mountain pass. I would dress in layers and prepare for rain, wind, or cool conditions, even if Skagway looks mild when you leave. The tour information specifically tells you to check conditions and dress accordingly. That advice is more valuable here than any promise of perfect scenery.

The Captain William Moore Bridge and Skagway overlook

The route passes the Captain William Moore Bridge, including a new pedestrian walkway that opened in 2020. The bridge connects the scenery to the modern story of access and tourism in the area. You may not spend a long time there, but it is an interesting feature to notice as the bus continues.

The final stop is the Skagway City Overlook. This gives you a broader view back toward town and helps you understand Skagway’s position between the waterfront, the historic streets, and the mountains.

I like ending at an overlook. After close views of falling water, you get a wider sense of the place you have been exploring. It is also a useful final photo stop before returning to 216 Broadway.

Do not expect every stop to function like a long walk or independent excursion. This is a guided sightseeing loop. Some locations are brief photo opportunities, and the day works best when you enjoy the changing views rather than measure each stop by the number of minutes spent there.

Guide commentary is part of the value

At $82 per person, this tour is not just a ride to waterfalls. You are paying for a guide, transportation, several stops, historical context, and a route that reaches across the border. I think the price is fair if you want variety and do not want to arrange transport yourself.

The strongest praise has focused on the guides. Jaki described the guide as very well informed and kind. Another guest called the tour the best of their trip while also noting that it was the least expensive activity they booked. Elaine appreciated the guide’s energy and the offer to take especially good couple photos. Clay was singled out for interesting commentary.

Those details point to the tour’s real selling point: the person at the front can shape the entire ride. A quiet or rushed guide would make the bus feel like a transfer. A lively guide turns the drive into part of the attraction. The available ratings average 4.4 from seven reviews, with the listed comments especially positive about the guide’s information, friendliness, and help with photographs.

What to bring and who should book

Bring your passport, camera, comfortable shoes, and clothing suited to wet or cool weather. Meals and drinks are not included, so plan accordingly, though the supplied information does not specify food stops or a meal break.

I would choose this tour if you want:

• Several waterfalls in one outing
• A guided introduction to Skagway’s Gold Rush Cemetery
• A scenic drive toward White Pass
• A Canada border crossing built into the route
• Photo help from a friendly guide
• A three-hour activity that leaves time for other Skagway plans

I would look elsewhere if you need wheelchair access, have serious mobility or back concerns, or want a strenuous hike. The optional Reid Falls walk is brief, but this is still a vehicle-based sightseeing tour with walking at various stops. Pregnant women are also specifically advised not to book.

The meeting point is inside Richter’s Souvenir and Popcorn store at the Southeast Tour desk, about a 10-minute walk from the ships. Check the starting time carefully, especially if you are visiting on a cruise schedule. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your port plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Skagway Scenic Waterfall Tour?

I would book it if your ideal Skagway outing combines waterfalls, scenery, local history, and simple transportation. The route covers more ground than you could comfortably see on foot, and the $82 cost is reasonable when you value the guide’s commentary and several photo stops.

The best fit is an active, mobile visitor who wants a broad sample rather than one long hike. Bring your passport, dress for rain, and leave room on your camera for Bridal Veil Falls, Pitch Fork Falls, the Alaska sign, and the City Overlook. If you want the most memorable part of the experience, pay attention to the guide and take advantage of the chance to have your photo taken at the stops.

FAQ

How long is the Skagway Scenic Waterfall Tour?

The tour lasts three hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $82 per person.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at the Southeast Tours desk inside Richter’s Souvenir and Popcorn store. The store is about a 10-minute walk from the ships.

Is a passport required?

Yes. A passport is required because the route crosses the border into Canada.

Does the tour visit Bridal Veil Falls?

Yes. Bridal Veil Falls is a guided photo stop where you can get close to the water and put your hands in it.

Is there hiking on the tour?

There is an optional rainforest hike of about 10 minutes from Gold Rush Cemetery to Reid Falls. Other stops include walking and photo opportunities.

Are meals and drinks included?

No. Meals and drinks are not included.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour has a live English-speaking guide.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. It is also not recommended for people with back problems or pregnant women.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.