About Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is a unit of the U.S. National Park Service that preserves and interprets the story of the 1897-1898 Klondike Gold Rush, one of the great human dramas of North American history. When headlines screamed "Gold!" the dream of a better life catapulted thousands of people toward Alaska and Canada's Yukon Territory. Their arduous journey shaped them and changed the people they encountered and the north forever. Today the park remembers the trails, the boomtowns, and the stories of those stampeders.
Headquartered in Skagway, Alaska, the park encompasses the town's historic district as well as trail corridors that thousands of fortune-seekers traveled on their way to the goldfields. It is one of four park areas worldwide that together tell the Klondike story. The park's exhibits, restored buildings, and ranger programs convey both the hope and the hardship of the era for the men and women who took part.
What to See
- Skagway's Historic District, the preserved boomtown that served as a gateway to the goldfields
- The Chilkoot National Historic Trail, the famed and grueling route stampeders followed over the mountains
- Stories of the courageous women of the Gold Rush who joined the rush of 1897-98
- The history of the Buffalo Soldiers of Company L, a unit of Black soldiers who served three years in Southeast Alaska
- Junior Ranger activities and virtual tours of Skagway's historic streetscape
Planning Your Visit
The park is located in Skagway, with its mailing address at P.O. Box 517, Skagway, AK 99840. Because operating hours, ranger-led programs, and trail conditions vary by season, plan your trip in advance and confirm current details on the official National Park Service website at nps.gov/klgo. There you can find maps, alerts, fee information, and tips for hiking the Chilkoot Trail and exploring Skagway's historic district.
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