Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park provides a perfect balance of outdoor activities and history. Tour many of the restored historic structures in Skagway, including saloons and public buildings. Learn about the Klondike Gold Rush and enjoy many recreational activities, including camping, rafting and wildlife viewing.
Stop at the visitor center in Skagway and watch a film about the historic gold rush. Visit an authentic gold rush era saloon and learn the history of Skagway’s famous streets. Dyea, Skagway’s neighboring town, is also within the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. See the foundations of buildings and the ruins of the wharf in this significant historic area.
Start a walking tour of Skagway at the old White Pass and Yukon Railroad Depot. This colorful building was constructed in the late 19th century and was an important part of life in Skagway until the mid-20th century. The old depot is now the National Park Service Visitor Center. The yellow-colored administration building functions as the Gold Rush Museum.
At the end of the 19th century, over 100,000 people headed to Alaska’s fjords at the towns of Dyea and Skagway. These people, known as the stampeders, were desperately searching for promised gold. Retrace the steps of the stampeders on the Chilkoot Trail, which stretches about 33 miles (53 kilometers) from Dyea and Skagway to Lake Bennett in British Columbia.
The Chilkoot Trail is a joint U.S. and Canadian component of the historic park. Tours of this trail frequently begin in Skagway. Skagway is about a 100-mile (160-kilometer) drive from Whitehorse Canada, which connects to parts of the United States via the Alaska-Canadian Highway. Alternatively, reach Skagway by ferry or air services. Stay in local accommodations, including small hotels, lodges and inns.
Visiting the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is a great way to learn about the lives of the stampeders during the Alaskan gold rush.