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For Immediate Release: March 30, 2026
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SKAGWAY, Alaska – The National Park Service today announced that Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and Chilkoot National Historic Trail recently completed an eight-week rehabilitation of the Sheep Camp Ranger Station and adjacent tool shed.
“Since its construction in 1981, the ranger station received minimal maintenance,” said acting Superintendent Carrie Wittmer. “These repairs make the station safer and more functional for our trail rangers, allowing us to better serve hikers on the Chilkoot Trail."
Supported by the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund signed by President Donald J. Trump in 2020, the key backcountry hub along the historic Chilkoot Trail was repaired with approximately $400,000 in GAOA funding.
The Great American Outdoors Act remains one of the most significant conservation achievements of his administration. The law provides permanent funding to address long-deferred maintenance needs across the National Park System, ensuring safe, resilient and accessible public lands for future generations.
Located at mile 11 of the Chilkoot Trail, the Sheep Camp Ranger Station serves as the primary backcountry housing and operations center for trail rangers supporting visitors on one of North America’s most iconic, long-distance routes. The project focused on practical, high-impact upgrades to improve safety, durability, and day-to-day operations in a remote setting.
Crews installed new siding and screens, repaired and repainted windows, replaced the front porch decking and screen door, and cleaned and restored the roofs of both the ranger station and tool shed.
The project brought together park staff and a GAOA-funded Maintenance Action Team, including skilled craftspeople from the Historic Preservation Training Center and an intern from the Traditional Trades Advancement Program. These teams specialize in preserving historic structures, enabling the National Park Service to complete projects in small and medium-sized parks while passing critical trade skills to the next generation.
Sheep Camp Ranger Station is located a quarter mile from the Sheep Camp Campground, the last stop on the U.S. side of the Chilkoot Trail. When based here, rangers provide safety briefings, share the trail’s rich history, and respond to emergencies.
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Last updated: March 30, 2026