• Artifacts at the Summit of the Chilkoot Trail

    Klondike Gold Rush

    National Historical Park Alaska

The Story of The Klondike Gold Rush: Part Nine

Discouraged Stampeders

NPS Archives

As the stampeders arrived in Dawson all the claims were taken

The Klondike gold fields were the ultimate destination for the stampeders. After about a ten-month journey, they were very excited to reach Dawson City. During the height of the gold rush, the population of Dawson peaked between 40,000 and 50,000 people. 

Unfortunately, when the stampeders arrived in Dawson, they found most of the gold claims already taken by miners who arrived before them. Many stampeders hung around Dawson a few weeks and then sailed back home. Although most of these seekers never found any gold, they did have an adventure they remembered for the rest of their lives. 

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Did You Know?

historic photo of Skagway, AK showing horses and ladies with long dresses in mud street

No gold was ever found in the Skagway River valley.  The actual gold fields were approximately 550 miles north, near the junction of the Klondike and Yukon Rivers in Dawson City.  Skagway became known as the gateway to the Klondike gold fields, a bustling supply town.