Follow the North Klondike Highway deep into the heart of the Klondike. Two Northern Tutchone First Nation communities, Carmacks and Pelly Crossing, welcome visitors along the way. Lively Dawson City still evokes feelings of a golden era when thousands of hopeful gold seekers poured into the Klondike in search of riches.

Today, visitors come to Dawson City to explore the National Historic Sites, enjoy Klondike hospitality and events, and learn about the cultural heritage of the Tr'ondek Hwech'in First Nation.

The home of the Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation is just two hours north of Whitehorse by road. Located along the Yukon River, Carmacks is a popular stopover for road and river travelers. Named for George Carmack, the co-discoverer of Klondike gold, this historic village was a riverboat refueling station and a major stop on the Overland Trail linking Whitehorse and Dawson City. 391 people live in Carmacks.

Pelly Crossing is home to the Selkirk first Nation. With a population of 269 it serves as a midway stopping point on the journey between Dawson City and Whitehorse. Cultural displays and artifacts are housed in a replica of Big Jonathan House. Visitors can make a journey from Minto by boat to visit the original structure down the Yukon River at Fort Selkirk, which is an important historic and cultural site for the Northern Tutchone people.

Take a step into history by visiting Dawson City. The lure of the Klondike drew thousands of young men, and some women, with the glint of gold in their eyes, to Dawson City. Entrepreneurs keen to turn a dollar erected hastily constructed buildings with elaborate false fronts and dancehall tunes filled the air. Dawson City became a bustling commercial centre, and for a time it was the largest city north of San Francisco and west of Winnipeg. Dawson served as the capital of the Yukon Territory until 1953. In 1959, the Dawson Historical Complex was declared a National Historic Site of Canada. Walking among the carefully restored buildings with costumed interpreters will give you a sense of those heady times.

First Nations cultural experiences and wilderness adventures are also part of today's Klondike experience. Dawson is now the Yukon's second-largest community and offers the full range of visitor services and amenities. Population: 1,800.

Local Attractions

Enter a moose skin home or a brush house and imagine how life might have been for the Northern Tutchone people. This cultural centre has fascinating exhibits showcasing the traditional lifestyle of the Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation.

The scenic riverfront boardwalk in Carmacks is an ideal place for a stroll. The route is wheelchair-accessible and features interpretive panels and benches perfect for contemplating the mighty Yukon River.

Attention rock hounds! Several Carmacks-area trails pass through complex topography and feature interesting rocks, including agates.

From a scenic vista on the North Klondike Highway, boardwalk stairs descend to the Yukon River, at the site of these famous churning rapids. Interpretive panels describe the gold rush and natural history surrounding the rapids. The 3-km trail and stairway are well worth the walk.

Pelly Crossing is a popular stopover for visitors bound for Dawson City or the Silver Trail. Visit Big Jonathan House, a replica of an historic building that still stands in Fort Selkirk. This cultural centre showcases art, artifacts, tools and crafts of the Northern Tutchone.

The Dawson reception centre is a reconstructed heritage building. Exhibits and displays on Klondike history line the walls.

Located on Bonanza Creek, this massive machine offers a chance to see the inner workings of the gold mining industry in the 1800’s. It is the largest bucket line, wooden-hulled dredge in North America. Dredge #4 is designated a National Historic Site and is one of the Yukon's most visited attractions.

The museum is housed in Dawson City’s stately territorial administration building. It is a fine place to delve into Klondike Gold Rush history. View exhibits of Klondike geology, prehistoric animals, First Nations cultures, the mining industry and social history of Dawson. The museum library and archives is an excellent place to do genealogical research.

This distinctly designed building offers a panoramic view of the Yukon River, and information about Tr’ondek Hwech’in culture and traditional life. An exhibit gallery, historic photos, films, cultural performances, arts and crafts, and special events are part of the experience.

A gathering and meeting place for centuries, Fort Selkirk became the oldest permanent settlement in the Yukon. Although it bustled with activity in the gold rush era, Fort Selkirk was all but abandoned by the mid-1950s. It is nNow a beautifully restored settlement on the Yukon River between Carmacks and Pelly Crossing, Fort Selkirk is accessible only from the Yukon River.

Knowledgeable guides, attired in period costume, tell captivating stories of the gold rush era. The Town Walking Tour is a one-and-a-half-hour stroll through the Dawson downtown core. Other regularly scheduled parks events include a S.S. Keno paddle-wheeler tour, and the Robert Service program.

The 32-km Ridge Road Heritage Trail makes for an enjoyable afternoon of mountain biking or a one- to three-day hike along the ridge tops back to the Klondike Valley. The Ridge Road was built in 1899 to transport goods in and out of the goldfields. Two pleasant, rustic campsites are located along this historic scenic trail, as well as scattered remnants of the gold rush.

At the Top of the World Golf Course you can tee off in the middle of the night! With nine holes and all the amenities, these beautiful greens are Yukon's most northerly golf course.

At tThe rounded peak above Dawson, called the Dome, you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the town, Yukon and Klondike river valleys and Ogilvie Mountains. Enjoy a bird's eye view of caterpillar-like dredge tailings in the Klondike River Valley. This spot is extra special during a summer's night, when the light won't quit and the sky is glorious. Watch for Paragliders!

A visitor can't come to Dawson City without spending an evening at Diamond Tooth Gerties, a raucous must-see Klondike attraction. Gamblers can whoop it up like sourdoughs and play blackjack, roulette, poker and the slot machines. Gertie and the can-can girls perform three shows nightly. The casino is a non-profit operation and the proceeds remain in the community.

Dawson 's dynamic arts and cultural scene is evident in the flourishing Klondike Institute of Art and Culture - KIAC. Visit the art gallery operated by KIAC in the restored Odd Fellows Hall at the corner of Second and Princess.

During the summer, a free ferry ride across the Yukon River to the Top of the World Highway provides a connection to Alaska. In winter months, crossing the river on an ice bridge provides a unique experience.