Summit Lake Canoe Adventure

Passports are required for all participants

Departing the dock in Skagway, guests on this tour will enjoy a town tour of historic Skagway on our way towards the Canadian border. It is about a 40 minute drive from Skagway to the shores of Summit Lake. Along the way, we'll enjoy spectacular views of the Denver Glacier, the White Pass and the numerous snow-capped peaks. We'll check in with the Canadian customs before arriving at the lake.

Once the groups arrives at Summit Lake, we'll take a short walk along a winding trail through rocky, alpine terrain, to where your large, motor assisted 12 person voyageur canoes are waiting along the shore. These large 12 person tour canoes are similar to the ones used by trappers and prospectors during the gold rush era. You'll be outfitted with life jackets, boots, and ponchos (if needed). After a short safety talk and paddling instruction, we'll launch out onto the water to explore the alpine lake.

The rocky glaciated landscape of coves and islets make for stunning paddling in a pristine setting. Snow-capped glaciated peaks surround the narrow, intricate waterway of Summit Lake. If guests are feeling tired, or the winds pick up, we have a small outboard motor on the canoes to assist us on this tour. We'll explore narrow channels and have the chance to walk around to explore secluded shores of the lake. After a short break, we'll board the large canoes explore more of the aquamarine colored waters of Summit Lake. After about 1.5 hours on the water, we'll return to our bus and back to Skagway to finish off the excursion.

Passports are required for all participants

(~10 minutes) Your friendly tour guide will meet you near the Skagway Small Boat harbor sign and restrooms. Here they will take the opportunity to get to know you and provide answers to any questions that you might have about your upcoming excursion.
(~60 minutes) We’ll depart from our meeting point by van for an interpretive driving tour of historic downtown Skagway on our way up the Klondike Highway and the White Pass to Summit Lake. Along the way to Summit Lake we’ll make a brief stop at Canadian Customs. (passports and appropriate VISA’s will be verified here)
(~10 minutes) Once we arrive at our parking area of the canoe excursion, you’ll have the opportunity to use the restroom before we make the short hike downhill to our canoe staging area on the lake.
(~10 minutes) At the staging area your tour guides will assist you with getting fitted with rubber boots a PFD and rain gear if necessary.
(~10 minutes) Your guides will then provide a thorough orientation, paddling instruction and safety briefing as we prepare to head out on the water.
(~90 minutes) We’ll spend the next hour and a half exploring the alpine environment surrounding Summit Lake by voyageur canoe.
(~25 minutes) Once back at the put-in we’ll trade your rubber boots and PFD’s back in for your shoes and you’ll have time to enjoy a smoked salmon snack and some hot cocoa on the sandy beach.
(~10 minutes) We’ll hike back up the trail to our transportation.
(~55 minutes) From the parking area we’ll head back toward Skagway. Along the way we’ll make a photo stop at the “Welcome to Alaska” sign on the White Pass summit followed by a brief stop at US customs. The scenic drive back down the Klondike Highway transitions back from the alpine environment to lush rainforest and the gold rush town of Skagway.

Where will I meet my tour guide?
Your 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 with the name of your tour.
Who are my guides?
Your tour guides are experts in the industry. They are fun, well-trained and passionate about guiding and sharing their expert knowledge about the history and natural wonder of Haines and Skagway, Alaska with you! Our staff all go through extensive training and hold current first-aid (mostly WFR and WEMT) certification. Many of our canoe guides also lead courses and guided expedition trips for us both in Alaska and throughout the world.
Is there a bathroom?
Yes – restrooms are available on the dock prior to departing for your tour and a non-flushing “outhouse” style restroom on-site.
Do you cancel 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.
How much will I paddle?
Everyone in the canoe will be provided with a paddle during the tour. Paddling is optional and each boat is equipped with a quiet 4-stroke outboard motor so if the wind picks up or you need a rest you can sit back and let your guide and motor do the work.