Dyea is the other half of the Skagway story. While Skagway grew into a permanent town, Dyea, at the head of the Taiya Inlet about nine miles away, was the jumping-off point for the Chilkoot Trail and, for a few months in 1898, a boomtown of thousands. Within a couple of years the railroad over White Pass had made the Chilkoot route obsolete, the stampeders left, and Dyea emptied. Today the townsite is a quiet river flat in a mountain-ringed valley, with a handful of old foundations, pilings from the wharf and wooden remnants scattered across the grass and forest. It is protected as part of the national park, and unlike downtown Skagway there are no shops, only the evidence of what vanished. The place rewards slow exploration. A short walk through the townsite shows where Main Street ran, where the saloons and hotels stood and where the tide once brought boats to the dock. The Slide Cemetery, a short distance away, holds the graves of many of those killed in the April 1898 avalanche on the Chilkoot Trail, a reminder that the rush was dangerous as well as dramatic. Interpretive signs help visitors imagine the crowded streets, and in good weather the setting is as striking as the history, with glacier-hung peaks above the meadow and bald eagles overhead.
Getting there is easy. The road from Skagway follows the shoreline and climbs through forest, with turnouts and views of the inlet, and ends near the trailhead for the Chilkoot Trail. Visitors with their own vehicle can drive out in about twenty minutes, while others join a shore excursion or taxi from town. Because there is little shade or shelter, pack water, a rain layer and sun protection. The roads can be rough in places and facilities are limited, so fill your tank and plan to be self-sufficient for the visit.
The visit pairs well with a short stroll on the first mile of the Chilkoot Trail, which follows the Taiya River through old-growth forest and gives a taste of the stampeders' route without a multi-day commitment. Keep in mind that this is bear country, so make noise on the trail, keep food stored and follow the posted guidance. Rangers sometimes lead programs here in the visitor season, and the park visitor center in Skagway can tell you what is offered and what the conditions are.
Why go
Dyea shows the other side of the stampede. Where Skagway preserved and reinvented its history, Dyea simply faded, and the quiet is part of the lesson. It is an excellent choice for visitors who like history in a natural setting, for photographers and for anyone who wants a break from the crowds on Broadway. Allow an hour or two, longer if you walk the trail, and treat the cemetery with the respect due to a burial ground.
Photography tips
The best light is early or late, when low sun rakes across the meadow and the mountains glow. A wide lens helps with the valley, while a zoom picks out eagles along the river. Take only photographs, and leave artifacts where they lie, since the park protects every scrap of the stampede era for future visitors to find and wonder about.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided visit to the Dyea townsite, the wharf remnants, the Slide Cemetery and the start of the Chilkoot Trail, with interpretive signs.
Best time
Morning or evening for the best light and the fewest visitors; summer for access and services.
How long
One to three hours depending on how far you walk.
Tips
Bring water, a rain layer and bug repellent, and follow bear-safety guidance on the trail.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History lovers, hikers and photographers who want a quiet site.
- Families
- A good outing for older children interested in history and nature; keep them close near the river.
- Couples
- A peaceful, scenic, low-key outing away from the crowds.
- Pair with
- A first mile of the Chilkoot Trail or a sled dog camp visit.
- Time needed
- One to three hours.
Good questions
How far is Dyea from Skagway?+
About nine miles by road, a drive of roughly twenty minutes depending on conditions.
Are there services at Dyea?+
Facilities are minimal. Carry water and supplies, and use the visitor center in Skagway for information before you go.
Is there an admission fee?+
Visiting the townsite is free. Camping and Chilkoot Trail overnight use require separate permits.
What is the Slide Cemetery?+
It holds graves of people killed in an avalanche on the Chilkoot Trail in April 1898. Visit with respect.
Is it safe to walk the area?+
Yes in normal conditions, but it is bear country. Make noise, keep food secured and follow ranger advice.