Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

Things To Do Near Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is divided into four different sites, and you will want to visit them all. Start your visit in Seattle by exploring two floors of exhibits to learn about how stores in this city helped stock gold seekers and how those commercial entities influenced the city’s growth. Then, head to Skagway to see the historic district with its 100 historical buildings constructed during the gold rush. Then, venture further afield to explore White Pass sites. Finally, explore the Chilkoot Trail running from Dyea, Alaska, to Lake Bennett, British Columbia. 

Hiking Trails

• Chilkoot Trail 

  Gold seekers initially used this 33-mile trail to carry their supplies to the point where they could float down the river to where they believed gold was available. Start your hike in the Dyea ghost town about 15 minutes from Skagway. Follow the trail running along the Taiya River. Stop at the shelter at Canyon City to see the gold rush artifacts. Then, continue through the high alpine zone and the boreal forests to reach Bennett. 

  Location

  Dyea Campground, Dyea Road, Skagway, Alaska 99840 

  Length

  33 miles 

  Intensity

  Difficult

• Lost Lake Trail 

  Park at the Dyea Slide Cemetery, and walk 0.8 miles north to the trailhead. This trail is an excellent option for hiking when blueberries are ripe in September. Look for wildlife coming to get their share of the berries. When you reach the summit, enjoy amazing views of the area. 

  Location

  Dyea Slide Cemetery, Slide Cemetery Trail, Skagway, Alaska 99840 

  Length

  2 miles 

  Intensity

  Easy

• A.B. Mountain Trail 

  The A.B. Mountain Trail starts off Dyea Road. Follow the ridgeline through spruce and hemlock forests to the base of A.B. Mountain. This trail, which is largely above the treeline, offers beautiful views of Skagway. 

  Location

  Dyea Road, Skagway, Alaska 99840 

  Length

  10 miles 

  Intensity

  Easy

Sightseeing

• White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad 

  Take a seat in one of the passenger cars on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad to see spectacular Alaskan scenery. Ride from the tidewater to the 2,865-foot summit of the White Pass. See Bridal Veil Falls on your way.

  Location

  201 2nd Avenue, Skagway, Alaska 99840

• The Days of ‘98 Show 

  Watch The Days of ‘98 Show, which showcases the life of outlaw Soapy Smith as he reigned over Skagway for many years. There are plenty of laughs during this family-friendly comedy, and women may be invited on stage to dance the can-can. This show has been in almost continual production since 1923. 

  Location

  6 & Broadway, Skagway, Alaska 99840

Museums

• Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center 

  Pick your route, and see how you fare as a gold miner while visiting the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center Museum. Many interactive exhibits require that you use your senses to make important discoveries that help you succeed or fail on your journey. 

  Location

  291 Broadway, Skagway, Alaska 99840

• Moore House Museum 

  See the oldest home in Skagway by visiting the Moore House Museum. Learn how the Moore family coped with the changes brought by the gold rush. Some of the rooms in this home have been restored to how they looked when the house was built in 1885. 

  Location

  400 Spring Street, Skagway, Alaska 99840

• Jeff. Smith’s Parlor Museum 

  Outlaw Jefferson "Soapy" Smith used this building as his headquarters for many years. The building has been restored to look like an 1860s parlor. See unique artifacts, folk art, strange taxidermy, and animatronic mannequins. 

  Location

  221 2nd Avenue, Skagway, Alaska 99840

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• Alaska Artworks

  Select from original and reproduction artwork featuring Alaska’s stunning scenery when you shop at Alaska Artworks. They also carry photos, fossils, and pottery. 

  Location

  510 Broadway, Skagway, Alaska 99840

• Back Ally Rock Shop 

  Select from a wide assortment of Alaskan rocks and minerals at Back Alley Rock Shop. They also carry mining collectibles and gold panning equipment. 

  Location

  507 5th Avenue, Skagway, Alaska 99840

• Sweet Tooth Café 

  Start your day with eggs benedict at Sweet Tooth Café. Then, have their pizza burger or another fabulous option for lunch. 

  Location

  301 B Broadway, Skagway, Alaska 99840

• Skagway Fish Company 

  Head here for terrific fish and chips. They also serve a variety of fresh Alaskan-caught seafood. 

  Location

  201 Congress Way, Skagway, Alaska 99840

How To Get To Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is headquartered in Skagway. In order to get to this location from Fairbanks, head south on 12th Avenue and turn right on Noble Street. Turn left on Airport Way. Turn right onto Alaska 2 East. Then, you will enter Canada, where the road is called Yukon 1 East. Turn right on Klondike Highway. This will bring you back to Alaska. Continue onto State Street, and turn left on 2nd Avenue. Turn right on Broadway. The park will be on your left. 

Driving from Fairbanks to Skagway takes about 13 hours, so you may want to fly and rent an RV when you arrive in Skagway. Also, keep in mind that while entry to the park is free, some locations within the park charge an entrance fee.

Address

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center, 291 Broadway, Skagway, AK 99840

Fee: Entry fee $0

You can start your visit to Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Skagway or Seattle. Then, you can drive to see the other primary site. Along the way, you may want to visit the two related sites in Canada’s Yukon Territory. You may especially want to include a stop at the Dawson Historical Complex. If you make this long-distance journey covering approximately 1,600 miles, you want to do it in an RV. That way, you are assured that you will be comfortable throughout the journey. You can also prepare your food and have the same bed to sleep in each night. Learning about the Klondike Gold Rush can be an experience that you will never forget.