Skagway Police Department

05/30/2026

🏕️ SKAGWAY POLICE DEPARTMENT: CAMPING & RV REMINDER 🏕️

As summer activity increases around Skagway, we would like to remind residents and visitors that camping is NOT allowed just anywhere within municipal areas around town.

📖 Under Skagway Municipal Code 9.02.050:
“Camping without a permit in undesignated areas is prohibited on public lands within one-half mile of the city proper, including the east hillside, Dewey Lakes Recreation Area, and AB Mountain areas.”
Camping is only permitted:
• At designated campgrounds and RV parks
OR
• In specific approved areas with authorization from the Skagway Police Department
Per SMC 9.02.050, free permits for up to two (2) consecutive nights of camping in approved undesignated areas may be obtained through the Skagway Police Department.
Camping is prohibited at:
• Yakutania Point
• Smuggler’s Cove

🔥 Under SMC 16.12.030:
• Camping in the Dewey Lakes Recreation Area requires a municipal permit
• Campfires are only allowed in designated fire rings unless specifically authorized by permit

🎟️ CAMPING PERMITS
Camping permits/approvals through Dispatch may be issued for:
• Lower Dewey Lake
• Upper Dewey Lake
• Sturgill’s Landing
• Dyea Flats
There is generally a 2-night maximum stay for permit camping under SMC 9.02.050 unless otherwise specifically authorized.
Visitors calling Dispatch for camping approval is sufficient in most cases and a physical permit may not be required. Campers should be prepared to provide:
• Name and phone number
• Camping location
• Number of nights staying
• Number of tents/vehicles
• Vehicle plate number, if applicable

⛺ DYEA MUNICIPAL CAMPGROUND
Located along Dyea Road near the historic Dyea area.
• No camping permit required
• Self-registration is required on site
• Maximum stay: 7 consecutive nights
• Campers must leave for 3 nights before returning after reaching the limit
• Cost: $10 per tent or camper per night
• Bear-safe food storage is required
• Checkout time is noon

🏞️ NATIONAL PARK SERVICE DYEA CAMPGROUND
Located near the Dyea Flats area and Chilkoot Trail trailhead.
• First come, first served
• 22 campsites available
• Cost: $10 per site per night
• No RV hookups available
• Limited access for larger RVs/trailers

🚐 RV CAMPING IN TOWN
Designated RV camping is available at:
• Garden City RV Park
• Pullen Creek RV Park
Garden City RV Park offers electric sites, a water-fill station, dump station, restrooms, coin-operated showers, and a laundromat.
Pullen Creek RV Park offers electric and water hook-ups at sites and use of the dump station.

🌲 SEVEN PASTURES OVERFLOW CAMPING
Seven Pastures is NOT a standard permitted campground area. It may only be used as overflow camping when all commercial campgrounds and RV parks are confirmed full.
Campers wishing to use Seven Pastures must first contact Skagway Dispatch for approval and verify that campground and RV park spaces are unavailable. Campers are also responsible for checking daily to see if campsites or RV spaces in town become available.
Campers may also be required to complete a Seven Pastures Use Request Form through the Municipality of Skagway depending on circumstances, availability, or duration of stay.
Campers using Seven Pastures should be advised:
• These are dry camping sites only
• Public restrooms are available at the ball field concession stand
• Absolutely NO fires are permitted
• Campers must not leave trash behind
• Campers should park in a way that allows room for additional campers
• Campers should move to established campgrounds or RV parks once space becomes available

🐻 FIRE & WILDLIFE SAFETY
Please help keep Skagway safe and clean:
• Use existing fire rings only
• Never leave fires unattended
• Ensure fires are fully extinguished and cold to the touch before leaving
• Store food and garbage properly to avoid attracting bears
• Pack out trash and leave campsites clean
If you have questions about where camping is allowed, campground availability, or permit requirements, please contact Skagway Dispatch before setting up camp.

📞 Skagway Police Department / Dispatch:
907-983-2232

Thank you for helping keep Skagway safe, clean, and enjoyable for everyone.

05/29/2026

Hamilton Construction will be blasting tomorrow (5/29/26) and Saturday (5/30/26) between 6pm and 7pm.  

05/27/2026

🚧 STATE STREET TRAFFIC NOTICE: EXPECT EXTRA DELAYS 🚧
If you thought town was already packed, get ready for a little more chaos on the roads over the next few days! SECON is hitting State Street hard as they prep the remaining dirt spots for paving.

Here is what you need to know to navigate the mess:
• The Zone: State Street is seeing heavy action from 1st Avenue all the way to 7th Avenue.
• The Work: There are currently three separate crews working simultaneously between 1st, 5th, and 7th Avenues to get everything prepped and ready for asphalt.
• Broadway is Going to Be Packed: With the work zones and detours on State, a ton of traffic is going to push over to Broadway. Expect it to be way more congested than usual.

Plan Ahead & Stay Alert: Please drive slower and use extreme caution when traveling near the work zones. There will be tourists everywhere and far more vehicles on the road than usual, so keep your eyes peeled. Give yourself plenty of extra time to get anywhere, brace for delays, and watch out for pedestrians, crews, and heavy equipment!

Because conditions are changing fast, the best and most up-to-date info on specific daily avenue closures is on their website. Check before you head out!
👉 Project Updates & Info: https://www.sgystatestreet.com/project-updates
Drive safe, pack your patience, and let's keep everyone safe out there! 🛑🚙

Roadwork Pauses Friday May 22nd till Monday May 25th on the State Street Pavement Rehabilitation Project for Memorial Day Weekend. Roadwork Resumes Tuesday May 26th on the State Street Pavement...

05/23/2026

Hamilton Construction will be conducting their next blast on Tuesday evening, May 26, 2026. Starting around 7:30pm, the highway will be flagger-controlled to bring in fill to protect the ...

05/21/2026

🐻 SKAGWAY POLICE DEPARTMENT: BEAR SAFETY REMINDER 🐻
With warmer weather and more people out on trails, roads, and around town, bear activity is increasing throughout the Skagway area. Please take precautions to help keep yourself, your family, and our wildlife safe.

🥾 WHEN HIKING:
• Carry bear spray and know how to use it before you need it.
• Hike in groups whenever possible.
• Make noise while hiking so you do not accidentally surprise a bear.
• Stay alert and avoid wearing headphones that prevent you from hearing your surroundings.
• If you are hiking in a group… remember you do not want to be the slowest person in the group. (We’re joking… mostly.)

💨 BEAR SPRAY & SKAGWAY WIND:
As most of us know, Skagway can get VERY windy. If you ever need to use bear spray, pay attention to wind direction before deploying it. Spraying directly into the wind may result in you getting a face full of your own bear spray instead of the bear.

🐻 IF YOU ENCOUNTER A BEAR:
• Stay calm and do not run.
• Slowly back away while facing the bear.
• Speak in a calm voice and make yourself appear larger.
• Keep your bear spray ready.
Black Bears:
• Usually defensive or curious.
• Make noise, stand your ground, and slowly create distance.
Brown/Grizzly Bears:
• Do not approach.
• Avoid direct eye contact and back away slowly.
• If a bear charges, stand your ground and prepare to use bear spray.

🌙 WALKING AROUND TOWN AT NIGHT:
Bears do travel through neighborhoods, trails, and roads during nighttime hours. Use extra caution when walking after dark:
• Carry a flashlight.
• Stay aware of your surroundings.
• Avoid walking alone in areas with poor visibility when possible.
• Keep dogs leashed and close to you.
• Do not approach or attempt to photograph bears at close range.

🚮 BEAR ATTRACTANTS & MUNICIPAL CODE:
Under Skagway Municipal Code regarding Bear Attraction Nuisances, residents and businesses are responsible for properly securing garbage and other bear attractants. Leaving attractants accessible can create dangerous situations for both people and wildlife.

Please help keep bears wild and our community safe.

If you encounter an aggressive bear or an immediate safety concern, contact Skagway Dispatch at 907-983-2232 or call 911 for emergencies.

05/19/2026

Hamilton Construction will be having a scheduled blasting tomorrow, May 20th at 6pm, expected to finish at 7pm. Please plan accordingly if traveling along the Klondike Highway as there will be delays ...

05/16/2026

👮 SKAGWAY POLICE DEPARTMENT: SEASONAL SAFETY & SANITATION ADVISORY 🐻
As the weather gets warmer, we would like to remind everyone of our rules to keep us and the wildlife safe. With the return of bear activity, the Skagway Police Department is asking all residents and business owners to help us promote a safe environment by following the Skagway Municipal Code (SMC).

🥩 THE "BEAR ATTRACTION NUISANCE" (SMC 8.04.035)
Under Skagway law, a "Bear Attraction Nuisance" is prohibited. This refers to attractants kept outside or in unsecured areas (such as open porches, pick-up beds, or yards) where they are accessible to wildlife.
A violation occurs if any of the following are kept in an unsecured outdoor area:
• Food & Rotting Waste: More than one-half (1/2) gallon of putrescible material—this includes food scraps, leftovers, and even the grease-soaked packaging it's in.
• Previous Attractants: Any organic material that has already attracted a bear to your property in the past.
• Hygiene Products: Soiled disposable diapers.
THE LAW: How to stay in compliance: To be legally secured, these items must be kept inside a building (like a house, garage, or shed) or in a container that requires hands or tools to open.

🗑️ TRASH PREPARATION & COLLECTION (SMC 13.20.040 & .050)
• Preparation: Garbage must be drained of surplus water, wrapped or put in bags, and deposited in an approved container. Cardboard must be broken down to a maximum length of 24".
• The Pickup Window: It is unlawful to place trash out before 4:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. All trash must be out by 8:00 a.m.
• Container Standards: Cans must be watertight and equipped with tight-fitting covers secured so they remain in place even if the can is knocked over.
• Defective Cans: If a container is damaged or fails to prevent animal disturbance, it must be replaced within 10 days of a notice, or the Municipality will dispose of it as waste.

🐓 SMALL ANIMALS & LIVESTOCK (SMC 6.04.010)
To prevent domestic animals from becoming attractants or wandering:
• Secure Confinement: Anyone keeping rabbits, chickens, or similar small domestic animals must keep them securely confined at all times in thoroughly enclosed hutches or coops on the owner’s premises.
• Running at Large: It is unlawful to allow any domestic animal or livestock to run at large.

⚖️ CITATIONS & PENALTIES
Officers finding a "Bear Attraction Nuisance" will affix a summons and complaint directly to the property. Violations of the sanitation code are subject to civil fines. Negligent feeding of wildlife is also a violation of Alaska State Law (5 AAC 92.230), which carries significant penalties.
Our goal is zero bear incidents. When we keep attractants secured, we protect our town and ensure our bears remain wild. Let’s work together to keep Skagway safe.

📞 Report bear activity or ask questions about the Code: Call Skagway PD at 907-983-2232.

05/15/2026

Hamilton Construction will be blasting this Saturday (5/16/26) between 6pm and 7pm.

05/12/2026

Hamilton Construction will be having scheduled blasting this coming Thursday at 6pm, expected to finish at 7pm. Please plan accordingly if traveling along the Klondike Highway as there will be delays ...