Keystone Canyon Pack Trail

The feel

This is part of the Pack Trail of 1899, the route the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built to connect the coast to Interior Alaska. The trail is well maintained, and signs along it point out original pieces of trail construction and share accounts of people's experiences on the trail in the early 1900s.

The route climbs through spruce above Keystone Canyon and over Horsetail Falls Creek, then returns down the Goat Trail to Bridal Veil Falls. Along the way hikers find streams, waterfalls, berries and fiddleheads, with views of the canyon and the mountains. Moose and bears are known to wander along the trails.

What to expect

Route and terrain

Point-to-point, 2.6 miles, with 250 to 615 ft of gain. It climbs over Horsetail Falls Creek and comes down the Goat Trail to Bridal Veil Falls.

Time

1.5 to 2 hours.

Crowds and best time

This is the most popular section of the Pack Trail of 1899.

Parking

The trail is at mile 12 to 12.5 of the Richardson Highway. The Goat Trail end is at the Bridal Veil Falls turnout at mile 13.5.

Kids

Rated easy to moderate.

Hazards

Moose and bears wander along the trails. Avoid devil's club and wild celery.

Mingo says

Pair the hike with the canyon's two big waterfalls, since both can be seen from highway pullouts. The Goat Trail follows the Lowe River on the way down.

Before you go

• Plan a shuttle or a second ride, since the trail is point-to-point from mile 12 to the Bridal Veil Falls turnout.
• Learn to spot devil's club and wild celery before you step off the path.
• Stay alert for moose and bears along the trail.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.