Lynn Canal

Despite its name, Lynn Canal is not a man-made canal; it is a natural fjord located inside the Inside Passage of Southeast Alaska. It was named by George Vancouver in 1794 after his birthplace, King's Lynn in England. It is one of the longest and deepest fjords in the world.

Lynn Canal is one of the deepest and longest fjords in North America, plunging to depths of over 2,000 feet (600 meters). Its deep waters make it a crucial navigational route for large vessels. The depth allows massive cruise ships and cargo freighters to travel safely through the Inside Passage.

During the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush, Lynn Canal served as a primary maritime highway for prospectors heading to the Yukon. Steamships would drop thousands of stampeders off at the treacherous ports of Skagway and Dyea, located at the very head of the canal. From there, they had to hike over the mountains to reach the Yukon River.

No, there are no roads connecting the towns along Lynn Canal to the rest of North America due to the incredibly steep, mountainous terrain. Residents and visitors rely entirely on the Alaska Marine Highway ferry system, boats, and small aircraft to travel between communities like Juneau, Haines, and Skagway.