Basic Information

 
Park Ranger talks to visitors at an outdoor table
Immerse yourself in gold rush history on your visit to the park

NPS/Kelsey Graczyk

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park commemorates the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897-98. As tens of thousands of people made their way to Dawson City, YT they brought EuroAmerican culture, created boomtowns and lasting transportation routes, and changed the landscape forever.

During the winter months (October to April) Skagway is a quiet community and our operations are reduced. Please visit our Operating Hours & Seasons for the hours and dates of our Visitor Center, administrative offices, and museums as the dates and hours vary for each.

Start planning your trip with the basics:

 

Within Skagway the park operates multiple museums and visitor contact stations. There are three distinct units of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Alaska. To learn more visit the park units page.  The physical address for the park's visitor center and headquarters is: 

 

Today the park is made of four units, three in Alaska and one in Seattle, Washington. In Alaska most people visit the Skagway Historic District, others hike the Chilkoot Trail in the Dyea-Chilkoot Trail unit, and many visitors experience the scenic White Pass unit by train or highway tour.

During the summer months (early May to late-September) Skagway is a major cruise ship port. Skagway can see up to 11,000 visitors a day with at least one ship arriving every day.

During the winter months (October to April) Skagway is a quiet community. Some people visit during these months, however, these visitors make up only a fraction of the total numbers. Planning a visit October to April? Check out the visiting in winter page.

Things to do:

 
  • A ranger behind a desk faces two people
    Plan Your Time in Skagway

    Whether you have a few hours or a few days get started planning your visit to Skagway!

  • Two women sit on a bronze statue of a man seated on a sled and his dog
    Things to Do

    Whether you've got a few hours, a full day, or multiple days, find out what activities work best for your trip.

  • A ranger talks to a group of people
    Ranger Programs

    Join a ranger on one of our ranger guided tours and talks.

  • An adult and two children look at an exhibit about gold discovery
    Park Museums

    Dive deeper into Klondike Gold Rush history with the four National Park Service museums in Skagway.

  • Trail sign reading
    Hiking

    With trails ranging from 1 to 7 miles, Skagway has hikes for any fitness level. See waterfalls, lakes, and sweeping vistas of the fjord.

  • Backpacker on boardwalk through a pond
    Hike the Chilkoot Trail

    Start planning your backpacking or day hiking trip on the Chilkoot Trail

 

Explore different units of the park:

 
Busy street view with cruise ship at the end.
Skagway's Historic District

Over 20 gold rush boomtown buildings are part of the park today. Explore the ones in Skagway's Historic District.

Mountain pass with some snow and blue sky
Explore the Chilkoot Trail

Plan your hike through the "meanest 33 miles in history" or learn about the the trail's use over centuries.

Irises in a meadow
Discover Dyea, Alaska

Where nature meets history. During the gold rush Dyea was a boom town, today it is a lush natural area.

Black and white image of about a dozen mules heavily packed with large boxes along a trail.
The White Pass Trail

Advertised as an easier, pack animal friendly trail, the White Pass Trail became a trail of disappointment and backache.

A ranger talks to a family in front of a museum welcome sign
Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit

The Seattle unit of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park tells the story of how hordes of stampeders boosted the city's economy.

Last updated: December 18, 2024

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
P.O. Box 517
Skagway, AK 99840

Phone:

907 983-9200

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