Let’s Learn about Skagway Rivers

The Skagway River – One of two Skagway rivers. Amazing!

Rivers are interesting because they are full of moving water. The water is inviting to all sorts of animals including humans. If you’re the kind of person that loves rivers, you’re going to love today’s blog because it’s all about Skagway’s rivers!

There aren’t many rivers in Skagway

Unfortunately, there aren’t many rivers in Skagway so this blog isn’t going to be very long. However, I am going to tell you all about Skagway’s rivers and the wildlife that’s attracted to each one. When you visit Skagway, you can check out the areas on the rivers where you might see wildlife you won’t see anywhere else. How cool is that?

River #1 – The Skagway River

Skagway’s main river is cleverly named the Skagway River because it flows through Skagway. There are a couple of bridges that cross the river. One bridge is for driving and the other bridge is for walking. You can walk across the driving bridge but you can’t drive across the walking bridge unless you’re driving a four-wheeler. 

The Skagway River is fed by the main river fork that begins at the top of the White Pass Summit. The East Fork of the Skagway River originates near the outflow of Laughton Glacier. There are a number of smaller tributaries that feed the river but this blog isn’t about tributaries so forget I even mentioned it.

The River empties into the Lynn Canal, which is the fjord next to which Skagway is located. The fjord is part of the Pacific Ocean. If you take the walking bridge, you can see where the river meets the ocean. This is a good place to see all sorts of wildlife.

Wildlife you will almost always see at the mouth of the Skagway River includes harbor seals, bald eagles, ducks, and gulls. Less common animals include otters, fish, and pine martin. As you hike north along the Skagway River, you may see bears so you better be careful. 

River #2 – The Taiya River

The second Skagway River is located in Dyea, which is still within the Skagway Borough, so it totally counts. The Taiya River is fed by glaciers and there are three main branches including the Nourse River, Upper Taiya River, and the West Creek River. 

The River also flows into the Lynn Canal. You can drive along and over the Taiya River on the Dyea Road. At the River’s Delta, it’s common to spot brown bears, black bears, Bald Eagles, ducks, seals, gulls, and all sorts of migratory birds like trumpeter swans. Further upriver, boreal toads, beaver, otters, and all sorts of varmints are quite common. Bears are all over the place, so be careful out there!

The Taiya River is also suitable for rafting. You can take a rafting tour on the Taiya River if you’re the kind of person that likes to see wildlife and have a little fun. 

That’s all of Skagway’s rivers!

That’s about it for rivers in Skagway. Maybe someday Skagway will get another river but for now, you’ll have to get by with these two. Thanks for joining us and have a great time checking out Skagway’s amazing rivers.