Klondike National Park ~ Klondike Gold Rush

Take a trip back in time, to the unpretentious hick towns of Skagway and Dyea from where the Gold Rush stampeders kick started their trek to the Klondike interiors. The Klondike Gold Rush of 1897-98 comes to life in Klondike National Park’s Skagway Historic District, the thrilling Chilkoot and White Pass trails and the Dyea townsite. Time stands still as boomtown atmosphere is recreated in Skagway’s antiquated saloons, with honky-tonk piano music, chorus girls and mock gambling games in ‘The Days of ’98’ and ‘Soapy Smith Show’. Romantic horse-drawn carriages and vintage limos in bright yellow ply the streets. History is recreated in meticulously restored buildings - Goldberg Cigar Store, Pantheon Saloon, Lynch and Kennedy Dry Goods Store, and Boas Tailor and Furrier, all relics of the gold-crazed stampeding days.


Explore Klondike Park in any number of exciting tours and treks. From the Visitor Centre, you can join a Ranger Walking Tour of the Skagway Historic District and the Dyea Townsite. Enjoy a ride on the White Pass and Yukon Route narrow gauge railroad, reminiscent of the Chilkoot Trail Tramways. Follow the stampede along the 33-mile long Chilkoot Trail, a tough, 3-5 day hike. Easier hikes lure you through the Gold Rush Cemetery and Lower Reid Falls, down stream to Lower Dewey Lake, Smuggler’s Cove and Yakutania Point. More challenging hikes push you up A B Mountain, Devil’s Punchbowl, Laughton Glacier and Denver Glacier. Take the Klondike Gold Dredge Tour where you can pan for gold on the Skagway River; keep what you pan as mementoes of the wonderful Klondike experience!


Travel File

Making tracks
The Klondike Gold Fields are 539 km northwest of Whitehorse, capital of Yukon. From Vancouver, fly to Whitehorse (2 hours) and from there to Dawson City (1 hour). You can drive up the Alaska Highway, starting at “Mile 0” in Dawson Creek and follow the spectacular Gold Rush Trail. Skagway is 110 miles south from the Alaska Highway, via the South Klondike Highway.
Whitehorse, Juneau and Anchorage are connected to Skagway by air, coach and rail. You can also get to Skagway by ferries and cruises on the Inside Passage.

Weather vane
The area is nearly always windy and dry. The summers are cool and dry. There may be some rainfall in September and it always snows in winter. Carry layers of clothing to see you through variable fall weather.

Room with a view
The Klondike trail is geared with a number of accommodation options. There are well equipped hotels, motels, hostels, campsites, bed and breakfasts, lodges and RV parks. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.