Things to do nearLynn Canal

Lynn Canal holds the distinction of being the longest and deepest fjord in North America, carved by glacial forces over thousands of years. The waterway connects Juneau to the historic port towns of Haines and Skagway, making it both a natural landmark and a working maritime corridor. During the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1890s, tens of thousands of prospectors crossed these waters on their way north, and the canal became one of the most traveled routes in Alaska.

On the water, whale watching ranks among the most popular activities, with humpbacks regularly spotted feeding in the nutrient-rich currents. Orcas, Dall's porpoises, and harbor seals are also common sights. Overhead, the surrounding peaks hold glaciers that calve directly toward the waterline, and a short detour brings you to the Herbert Glacier, one of the more accessible ice fields in the region.

The northern end of the canal leads to Skagway, where the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park preserves the boomtown streets that once served as a gateway to the Yukon. Few places in Alaska layer natural spectacle and human history so seamlessly, making Lynn Canal a journey worth taking slowly.