Gold Rush Cemetery
4.6(54)google
4.4(9)yelp
HistoryPioneer HistoryPhoto Spot
Overview
The Gold Rush Cemetery is Skagway's oldest, most poignant historic burial ground, serving as a solemn time capsule from the chaotic boom-and-bust days of the late 1890s. Nestled within a dense canopy of towering spruce trees, the historic cemetery contains the rustic wooden and stone graves of prominent frontier historical figures, including the notorious con man 'Soapy' Smith and the heroic town surveyor Frank Reid. Wandering along the moss-covered forest paths, visitors can read weathered inscriptions that detail the harsh realities, violent conflicts, and short lives of pioneer fortune hunters.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration30-45 minutes
Best TimeYear-round appeal, with summer and autumn mornings being ideal. As Skagway's oldest burial ground, it holds the graves of legendary 1898 Klondike Gold Rush figures like the infamous outlaw Soapy Smith. Morning sunbeams filtering through the tall spruces light up the historic wooden markers beautifully.
Getting ThereSituated roughly 2 miles north of downtown Skagway. Driving is straightforward; follow State Street north and follow signs to the small, free parking area outside the gates. Alternatively, take the local Skagway Smart Bus, which drops visitors off just a short walk from the cemetery site.
Travel Tips
- The burial ground directly parallels active White Pass rail corridors; blocking railroad safety clearance lines with oversized RVs triggers immediate towing and heavy fines.
- Internal cemetery paths feature raw gravel and exposed roots; heavy rain causes deep mud blocks, rendering wheelchair access impossible and demanding high-traction boots.
- State heritage laws strictly prohibit crossing protective wooden fences or touching, stepping on, defacing, or making charcoal rubbings of fragile gold rush headstones.
Reviews
Positive
- Resting place of legendary Gold Rush figures; weathered wooden fences and mossy headstones project immense historical depth and cultural value.
- Completely free to the public, featuring a large historical map board at the entrance detailing key figures' lifespans and gold rush stories.
- Located just minutes by car from downtown Skagway, and the trail to Lower Reid Falls cuts right through, chaining history and nature perfectly.
- Though well-known, the vibe remains solemn and serene; commercial shops are non-existent, perfectly retaining raw historical purity.
Heads up
- The walking paths inside are purely dirt and gravel, turning highly muddy and slick on rainy days with zero accessible features for wheelchairs.
- Most historic wooden markers are heavily faded from years of wind and snow; they lack timely upkeep and multilingual translation support.
- When Skagway harbor fills with ships and tour buses flood in together, the narrow burial corridors get cramped, ruining the solemn vibe.
- The surrounding area lacks public restrooms or shelters, and basic parking slots are few, making summer driving parking tough.