Your Skagway ATV tour begins as you board a high-speed catamaran for a scenic 45-minute narrated cruise along North America’s longest and deepest fjord to Haines. Along the way, you’ll witness spectacular views of waterfalls and ice-sculpted peaks as your guide points out marine wildlife. Your knowledgeable guide will meet you at the dock upon arrival in Haines. A scenic 26 mile drive along the National Scenic Byway and through the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve brings you to our remote staging area.
At the staging area, you’ll receive an orientation and safety briefing on our sport style UTVs (side-by-sides) from your tour guides. Guests wishing to drive must be at least 21 years old and bring a valid driver’s license. There are a combination of 2-person and 4-person machines to accommodate varying group sizes and families on this excursion. There are several spots along the tour where we can swap drivers to give everyone some time at the wheel. The UTVs are automatic transmission and drive similar to a car for ease of operation. These high performance UTVs are fun to drive and a great way to explore the Alaska wilderness.
Over the next 15 miles of gravel road and packed trail, your guide will lead you through a series of remote areas, and we’ll explore the wilds of Alaska! As we drive along beaver ponds and mountain meadows we may spot swans, salmon, eagles, bears or moose along the way. We’ll cross over Little Salmon creek and ascend to a series of viewpoints overlooking the Klehini, Tsirku and Chilkat River Valleys. The area is surrounded by 360 degrees of snow-capped glaciated peaks and there are many incredible viewpoints for photo breaks throughout the tour.
Along the way, we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch while we bask in the surrounding mountain views. After lunch, we’ll descend the mountain and make our way back to our private staging area before returning by bus back to Haines and onto the ferry for our return ride to Skagway.
Note: We are able accommodate dietary restrictions with a minimum of 48 hours advanced notice, including gluten free, vegan, vegetarian, allergies, etc.
(~75 minutes) – Your friendly tour dock representative will meet you near the Skagway Small Boat harbor sign and restrooms. We will provide answers to any questions that you might have about your upcoming excursion and get you ready to board the ferry to Haines. We’ll help you board the comfortable ferry for the 50-minute narrated, scenic journey to Haines.
(~45 minutes) – Upon arrival in Haines, restrooms will be available and you’ll meet your guide and driver for a breathtaking drive up the Haines Scenic Byway to our UTV base tucked away in the forest.
(~30 minutes) – Once we arrive at the UTV base, your guides will get you oriented with the area and help you into your safety equipment. You will then receive a thorough safety briefing and orientation on the machines.
(~90 minutes) – Your tour adventure continues as you head out by UTV for a 1.5 hour exploration of over 15 miles of trails that run through a variety of landscapes and ecosystems that personify Southeast Alaska. Along the way, if the weather cooperates, we’ll stop for lunch at one of the many scenic overlooks on the trail. You’ll travel past beaver ponds, views of sweeping mountain landscapes and lush coastal rainforest.
(~25 minutes) – Back at the UTV base we’ll help you de-rig from the drive and have some hot cocoa and lemonade.
(~35 minutes) – Your time in Haines comes to and end with a leisurely ride back through the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve to the small town of Haines.
(~60 minutes) – You’ll have the opportunity to use the restrooms and take additional photos of Haines and the Chilkat inlet at the ferry dock before enjoying the scenic ride back up the fjord to Skagway.
(~15 minutes) – once back in Skagway, a short walk will bring you back to our original meeting point, just a few minutes’ walk or shuttle to downtown Skagway and all three cruise ship docks.
Where will I meet my tour guide?
Your excursion guide will meet you 15 minutes prior to the tour start time to make sure all necessary paperwork is completed. If you are arriving by cruise ship, your guide will meet you at the end of the pier that your ship docks at. Otherwise the meeting location is the Small Boat Harbor sign.
CLICK HERE to see a map detailing these locations in Skagway. Your guide will be holding a sign that says “Skagway and Haines Excursions”.
What type of ATVs do you use?
We use the following ATVs: 2-seat
Wildcat Trail EPS and the 2 or 4-seat
Kawasaki Teryx.
Will I be able to drive?
Our tour is structured to give everyone who is eligible to drive an opportunity to do so. We have several 2-seat and 4-seat machines, and you will have the opportunity during the check-out process to mention your preference of vehicle. We will do our best to provide as many guests as possible with their preferred option. Guests must be 21 or older and possess a valid drivers license to be eligible.
Is there a bathroom?
Restrooms are available on the dock prior to departing for your tour, on the ferry during your travel to Haines, and non-flushing restrooms at the start/finish of your ATV drive.
Do you cancel the excursion due to weather?
Our tours embrace Southeast Alaska’s unpredictable weather. Our tours run rain or shine. If in a rare instance weather does cause us to cancel the tour you will be refunded in full and provided with assistance with finding an alternative excursion for the day.
