Yes! We park close by and our guide walks to the area at the pier where all ship tours meet. This is just outside the security area at your ship pier. We meet 10-15 minutes prior to your departure time. Just look for our representative holding a Skagway Float Tours sign to find us! (If your ship is tendering from your pier to the small boat harbor, we will meet at the top of the ramp from the area at the boat harbor where tenders land).

(We also have a town pickup option available at our Golden North hotel building office location at 3rd and Broadway). The ship pier is our default pickup location so if you want to meet at our office we just ask that you check in there prior to the meeting time to let us know you won’t be at the ship pier location.

The Chilkoot Trail sustained heavy damages during unprecedented fall 2022 flooding, including a washout of a steel bridge that we used to access our river put-in spot from the trail at the end of our 2-mile hike. Repairs were started spring of 2023 however, with delays of materials, the bridge was not able to be repaired in time for 2023 season. The repairs will be done later when the water levels are low again which is after the 2023 travel season.
With this news we have had to pivot our Hike and Float tour to a different hiking experience. We are planning to take most groups to the historic Dyea townsite area nearby in the same valley. There is plenty of history and nature there for us to all enjoy together. The experience will be a bit different in that the hike does not lead directly into the rafting portion. We will drive from the end of the hike to the river put-in to start the scenic float portion of the tour. The hike is also easier with mostly flat walking. We may offer to some fit and active groups to hike up and back down the first portion of the Chilkoot Trail, but this is not suitable for everyone so will be done on a group-by-group basis at the discretion of our guides. We thank everyone for their understanding of our having to change our tour itinerary for 2023 and we hope you will all find the new experience to be as enjoyable and still a wonderful way to get out and explore the nature and history of our area.

Our tours go rain or shine but having said that, Skagway has the least yearly rainfall of any port in Southeast Alaska receiving less than 30 inches of rain per year.

Weather in our area is mostly on the cooler, cloudy side in the summer with temperatures in the 60s. We do sometimes get warm, sunny days and also days of rain as well.

If it is raining the day of your tour, try not to be discouraged. Often the rain will not last the whole day.  Occasionally we start off in the sun too and it can change to rain by the end of the tour. This is why we do not cancel for weather as it can be so variable even on the same day.  One thing Skagway is known for is it breezy conditions so it can feel cooler than the air temperature. We suggest dressing in layers with something light under that you can wear if temperatures are warmer, then a layer of a sweater or fleece and we advise a lightweight waterproof raincoat if the weather looks cloudy/rainy.

The river float is mild with no whitewater splashing over the side of the raft.
We have rain ponchos for protection to wear if needed.
You can bring your camera on the raft ride as it is easy to have out for photos and no need to worry about splashing water. If it is heavily raining we would recommend a ziploc bag or waterproof camera bag to protect your camera on the raft or you are welcome to leave the camera in the supervised van during the tour.

Our tours operate rain or shine. In booking a tour you are agreeing to pay for all the seats you have reserved unless you give Skagway Float Tours 24 hours notice of cancellation or changes. Failure to give 24 hours notice will result in your credit card being charged full price for all seats you have reserved. The only exceptions are if your cruise ship does not make its scheduled stop at Skagway, if the ship is delayed arriving to port, or if Skagway Float Tours must cancel the tour for an exceptional reason. Please be on time for your tour. Due to scheduling, if you are late we may not be able to wait for you and we can not give refunds in this case.

All participants must sign a Visitor Acknowledgment of Risks form at the start of the tour. Children under 18 require parent or legal guardian signature. Our tours do operate in rainy weather so please dress appropriately for your comfort. We strongly suggest a waterproof rain jacket in case of rain.  A hat with a brim can also be helpful if the weather is rainy to keep rain off your face. We provide life jackets, rubber boots, and longer ponchos for the rafting portion of the tours. We include a light snack at the end of all tours-granola bars with a gluten free option.
We provide water bottles and hiking poles for the hike. You are welcome and encouraged to bring your own water bottle-fill it up before tour-as a way to save using disposable plastic.
We like this travel bottle but there are lots of other options for folding water bottles or regular smaller travel bottles.
https://www.amazon.com/Vapur-Eclipse-Foldable-Flexible-Carabiner/dp/B00BI9AM1Y/ref=asc_df_B00BI9AM1Y/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198084925599&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3824603416256185505&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033319&hvtargid=pla-349469720559&psc=1

Yes, however our maximum group size on the trail is 11 total with one guide due to National Park Service Regulations. If you have a bigger group than 11 we would divide you into two groups with two guides and the two groups can depart at the same time but as we start the tour you will be separated on the trail and then divide into separate rafts as well (our largest raft holds 11). If the second grouping is small then there may be additional passengers added to your smaller group. If you have people of varying abilities in your group we can also potentially divide up the group that way. (See above question)

We have an office at 3rd and Broadway in Golden North Hotel lobby that we share with our sister company, Frontier Excursions & Adventures. We would be happy for you to call us at 907-983-3688 or stop by and we can see if we can fit you in on a tour the day you arrive. We usually have some space, but it may not be your preferred time. Our morning departures especially fill up.

We also have other tour options for sale at our office like Helicopter, Flightseeing and Dogsledding tours.

We are an independent company, not contracted with the cruise ships. We are a different provider than they use, which means they have different guides and equipment. You can save money by booking directly with us! (We are not sure what the ship tours are offering for the 2023 Hike and Float itinerary due to Chilkoot Trail closure).