The Gold Rush Cemetery in Skagway, Alaska, is a fascinating glimpse into the wild and storied past of the Klondike Gold Rush. Established in 1898, at the height of Skagway’s boomtown days, it served as the community’s main burial ground until around 1908. Nestled in a quiet forested setting, the cemetery holds roughly 174 recorded graves, many of which belong to pioneers, prospectors, and townsfolk whose names have been lost to history. Weathered wooden headstones, moss-covered markers, and simple wooden fences evoke the rugged frontier era, creating a peaceful yet poignant atmosphere beneath the towering spruce trees. Two of Skagway’s most legendary figures rest here: Jefferson “Soapy” Smith, the notorious con man who ruled the town’s underworld, and Frank Reid, the vigilante hero who killed Soapy in a dramatic 1898 shootout that also claimed his own life.

Lower Reid Falls is one of Skagway’s hidden gems — a serene and scenic destination tucked into the forest just beyond the historic Gold Rush Cemetery. Named after Frank Reid, the town hero who died after the infamous 1898 shootout with outlaw Soapy Smith, the falls serve as both a natural wonder and a quiet tribute to Skagway’s past. The short walk from the cemetery winds through lush greenery and towering spruce trees, leading visitors into a cool, shaded glen where the sound of rushing water grows louder with every step. Suddenly, the forest opens to reveal a stunning cascading waterfall!