Klondike Gold Rush NHP Home Page

National Park Service
Klondike Gold Rush
National Historical Park

< ALIGN="right" HSPACE="5" ALT="On the Chilkoot Trail - 1898">

News of the gold strike in Canada's Yukon Territory spread from Seattle across the country, and from here most prospector's left for the gold fields. Today the park has a visitor center in the Pioneer Square Historic District, the center of Gold Rush activity.

Skagway Unit
The discovery of gold in Canada's Yukon brought thousands of gold hungry stampeders to Skagway and Dyea, Alaska. The White Pass Trail from Skagway, and the Chilkoot Trail from Dyea were the most popular overland routes to the gold fields. Today the park has a visitor center in Skagway, and administers the Chilkoot Trail and White Pass Trail units. Check our Visitor Center summer schedule.

LOCATIONS:

Seattle, Washington.

Skagway and Dyea, Alaska.

VISITATION:: Seattle Unit; Highest in July and August; Lowest in January and February; Skagway Unit; Highest in June, July and August; lowest in January.

ADDRESS:: Seattle Unit; Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park; 117 South Main; Seattle WA 98104

Skagway Unit

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

Box 517

Skagway, Alaska 99840

TELEPHONE:: Seattle Unit; (206) 553-7220; FAX (206) 553-0614; E-Mail KLSE_Ranger_Activities@nps.gov

Skagway Unit

(907) 983-2921

FAX (907) 983-9249

E-Mail KLGO_Ranger_Activities@nps.gov

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

Seattle Unit

Daily, Open from 9:00 am to 5:00 PM, closed Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1.

Skagway Unit

Visitor center - June, July, August: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm daily , May - September: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. Winter: variable open hours. Trail Center open 8:00 am - 5:00 pm daily, mid-May to September.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Seattle Unit

Seattle has a marine-type climate. Winters are cool, and summers are mild and pleasant. The average temperature is 53 degrees with a low average of 36 degrees in the winter and a high average of 69 degrees in the summer. The average rain fall is 39 inches. Seattle has 100 rain free days per year with an average of 49 percent of sunshine of the daylight hours. Rain coats, umbrellas and sweaters can be appreciated at any time of the year.

Skagway Unit

Summers are generally cool and dry. It is often windy in Skagway. Jackets are recommended. Skagway is rainy in September.

DIRECTIONS:

Seattle Unit

Visitors Traveling North-South on I-5 or West on I-90: Exit on 4th Avenue, North on 4th Avenue left onto Main. Located between 1st and Occidental on Main in Downtown Seattle.

Skagway Unit

Skagway, Alaska is located 80 miles by air north of Juneau at the northern end of Alaska's Inside Passage. Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, is 110 miles by road north of Skagway.

MAP OF PIONEER SQUARE, SEATTLE AREA

MAP OF SKAGWAY AND CHILKOOT-WHITE PASS AREA

TRANSPORTATION:

Seattle Unit

To Park: Bus, Car, located 15 minutes from SeaTac Airport, Amtrak is within 5 blocks.
In Park: All exhibits and theater are within an accessible 7100 square feet facility.

Skagway Unit

To Park: Access to Skagway is by small airplane, Alaska Marine Highway ferry vessels, cruise ships, train/bus (summer only), and vehicle on the Klondike Highway.
In Park: Local tour and taxi operators offer transportation within the Skagway Historic District and to the Chilkoot trailhead in Dyea; bicycle; rental and personal vehicle.

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

At present there are no fees associated with any park activities. Donations accepted with box available on site.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Visitor Center, Exhibits:: Seattle Unit; Exhibits about the Gold Rush and the impact of the Gold Rush on Seattle are located within Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park.; Movie and slide programs by request September through May when not being used by scheduled groups.

Skagway Unit

Information Center, Trail Center (for hikers), Mascot Saloon exhibit, Moore property exhibits, "Ton of Goods" display, and Klondike Highway wayside exhibits.

Trails, Roads:: Skagway Unit; Chilkoot Trail

Programs, Activities:

Skagway Unit

Regularly scheduled ranger-guided tours and ranger slide presentations are available seasonally. Gold Rush orientation film presented hourly in the NPS visitor center auditorium mid-May - September. Junior Ranger program available seasonally.

Lodging and Camping Facilities: (in Park):: Seattle Unit; None in the park. A variety of lodging and camping are available in the area.

Skagway Unit

NPS campground in Dyea is open seasonally. Other commercial camping and lodging is available in Skagway.

Food, Supplies:: Local restuarants and grocery stores are within walking distance of the visitor center in Skagway.

Other Concessions, NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:: Seattle Unit; Northwest Interpretive Association, 117 South Main Street, Seattle, WA 98104; Phone (206) 553-7220; Books and other items about the Klondike Gold Rush and early Seattle are for sale onsite or via mail. Catalog is available on request.

Skagway Unit

An Alaska Natural History Assoctiation bookstore is located in the Skagway visitor center and in the Trail Center.

Accessibility:: Seattle Unit; All exhibits and theater are accessible.

Skagway Unit

Most visitor facilities are accessible. A wheelchair is available.

Special Needs:: Skagway Unit; Limited parking is available in Skagway. Most visitors are on foot in the Historic District.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES, PARK USE:

Seattle Unit

Movies, Ranger Programs, Slide Programs, Gold Panning Demonstration, and Pioneer Square Walking Tour in Summer.

Skagway Unit

Visit the local museums and exhibits, join in guided walks and slide presentations (seasonally), hiking, and fishing (appropriate licensing required).

RESERVATIONS, PERMITS:

Seattle Unit

Reservations for school groups and other educational groups can be made by calling (206) 553-7220. School Groups use summer schedule mid June through mid September

Skagway Unit

Reservations for school groups and other educational groups should be made one month in advance of your visit. Special Use Permits require a one month's notice and application, Chilkoot Trail hikers must carry a back country permit - fee required (available at the Trail Center). Contact the park for other special uses or permits (907-983-2921).

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

Seattle Unit

Allow 2.5 hours for exhibits, movies, and Gold Panning Demonstration in Summer.

Skagway Unit

A minimum of four hours is recommended for visiting the park and local museums. Chilkoot Trail hikers require three to five days to complete the trail.

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:

Seattle Unit

Contact the park at (206) 553-7220

Skagway Unit

For special events contact the park at (907) 983-2921.

VISITOR IMPACTS:

Seattle Unit

Contact the park at (206) 553-7220

Skagway Unit

Contact the park at (907) 983-2921.

ADJACENT VISITOR INFORMATION:

Seattle Unit