• Stampeders Hiking the Golden Stair case with heavy packs

    Klondike Gold Rush

    National Historical Park Alaska

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  • Chilkoot Travel Advisory-Increased Avalanche Risk

    Park Canada Travel Advisory: Due to a cold, late spring persistent winter conditions exist on the Chilkoot Trail. Visitors will encounter late-winter snowpack conditions with increased avalanche risk and more snow covered trail sections. More »

Places

Klondike Gold Rush NHP is made up of three units in Alaska and one unit in Seattle, WA. Each of these places played an integral role in the stampede for gold between 1897-1899 to the Klondike. The three units in Alaska inlcude; The Skagway Historic District, White Pass Trail, and the Chilkoot Trail (inclduing the Dyea Townsite).

Beyond the sites in Seattle and Skagway, the story continues all the way to Dawson City, Yukon Territroy heart of the Klondike Gold Fields. Sites along the way have also been protected by Parks Canada. Together the National Park Service sites along with the Park Canada sites create an International Historical Park linked together by the Chilkoot Trail. The two primary Parks Canada sites include: Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site and the Klondike National Historic Sites of Canada.

 
Map of trails to the Klondike Gold Rush

While many routes existed to the Klondike, most took the Chilkoot or White Pass routes.

NPS

Stampeders took several routes to the Klondike, some over land and glaciers, others only by water, however most streamed through Skagway or Dyea, Alaska to battle with either the Chilkoot or White Pass routes both ending at Lake Bennett. This is the headwaters of the Yukon River, and marks only half way point of the 1500 mile journey to the Klondike Gold Fields, from Seattle, WA to Dawson City, YT.

Did You Know?

Aerial Photo of Skagway showing the blue waters of the Taiya Inlet, snow-capped peaks and the little town dwarfed in the foreground

Skagway is located at the end of the longest, deepest glacial fjord in north America and is considered the northern most point in Southeast Alaska. Glaciers, and the rugged scenery they leave behind, create the stunning backdrop for your visit to Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park.