Dawson City, Yukon is in the heart of Canada's Klondike gold country. The City sits at the confluence of the Yukon and Klondike Rivers and at only 165 miles (266 km ) south of the Arctic Circle it is at roughly the same latitude as Fairbanks. In the summer there are over 20 hours of sunlight with a mean high in July of 72.F / 22.C.

Between May 15 and September 10th, providing the highway is not closed by snow and/or ice Alaska Yukon Trails offers service from Fairbanks to Dawson on Sundays, Tuesdays & Thursdays and from Dawson to Fairbanks on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays via it Top-of-the-World Gold Rush Tour. The tour takes visitors along the scenic Top of The World Highway offering spectacular vista's, access to remote trailheads and scenic wild river systems.  Some of the richest gold bearing country in the world can be found in the 40-Mile (gold) Mining District.

Traveler between Alaska and Canada need to provide adequate proof of citizenship. Guests are not permitted to join the tours without proof of citizenship that is required at the Canadian/US border.  A birth certificate and picture ID or passport is sufficient, at this time.  Drivers licenses/social security cards are NOT considered adequate for either Canadian or U.S. residents.

History  Originally, the area at the confluence of the Thron-diuck (Klondike) and Yukon Rivers was a summer Indian fish camp. The establishment of a permanent settlement dates from the discovery of gold by a white prospector George Carmacks and his two Indian companions - Skookum Jim and Tagish Charley.  

In August of 1886 by a stroke of luck, they discovered rich gold deposits while camped next to a small tributary (Rabbit Creek) of the Klondike River. Rabbit Creek soon became Bonanza Creek, but it took almost two years for the news of the strike to reach the outside world. There were however several hundred prospectors in the Fortymile area of Alaska. Word was much quicker in reaching them and in less than a year, most had swarmed over the Klondike creeks and staked all available ground long before the arrival of the first stampeder's a year later.  

During the Klondike gold rush this very remote area in Canada's sub arctic region was home to over 30,000 people. At the time, Dawson was the largest Canadian City west of Toronto. Gold seekers and people supporting the gold industry came to Dawson City from all walks of life and from all corners of the earth, traversing incredible wilderness, all in search of their fortunes.  Today, Dawson City's boardwalk streets and false front buildings look much the same as they did in gold rush times.  

Several fortunes were made in Dawson City, but for the vast majority of those who braved the most inhospitable climate and country in the world, disappointment was the only reward.  Many of those individuals, having made a fortune - or not - then traveled east to places like Fairbanks, Ruby, Livengood and Nome in Alaska, through the same scenic countryside traveled by the Top-of-the-World Gold Rush Tour.  In fact, the 40-Mile (gold) Mining District, from whence some of the early Dawson miners came,  is still home to placer miners living around Chicken, AK, one of the stops on the tour.  Guests will also have the opportunity to photo historic gold dredges left in the district.  For a completely fascinating history of this era, read "Klondike Fever" by Dawson author Pierre Burton.

Dawson City was Yukon's first capital when the territory was organized in 1898. By 1953, since Whitehorse was on the newly constructed Alaska Highway, the railroad, and had a huge airport the federal government moved the capital along with more than 800 civil service jobs here. Dawson City was declared a national historic city in the 1960s and today many of the original structures have been rebuilt, stabilized or restored.

Today, the city is a vibrant echo of the past. During the summer months hundreds of college students and young people seek out summer jobs. The city was home to such noted personalities as author Jack London,  Call of The Wild, poet of the north Robert Service, "Cremation of Sam McGee" and Canadian author Pierre Burton among others. You may visit all of their cabins to hear story and poetry recitals. The city is rich in history and boasts one of Canada's few Gambling halls, complete with cancan girls, slot machines, bar service and a nightly talent show.

The government operated ferry is the only connection between the Top of the World Highway (Yukon Hwy #9) which ends on the west bank of the Yukon River and Dawson City on the east side of the river. It operates 24 hours a day and departs Dawson City on demand.  During peak season there is always a line to cross via a ferry in and out of Dawson City.  But, travelers don't mind, as the wait provides time for photo seekers to take in the beautiful scenery of the Yukon River and surrounding mountains and the quaintness of Dawson, itself.  

The city has several hotels, and all the modern conveniences of any small town. There are 2 government campgrounds in the area, and the Dawson City River Hostel 867 993-6823, located on the east bank of the Yukon River. 

For Connections to Whitehorse Alaska/Yukon Trails offers the Klondike Highway Scenic Tour departing Dawson City for Whitehorse on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays,  (or from Whitehorse to Dawson City on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays).  The tour operates on days posted provided there are two or more reservations for that day.  From Whitehorse travelers can board the famous White Pass Railroad and travel over steep mountain passes that were traveled on foot by earlier gold seekers coming from the United States to Juneau and Skagway on boats.

There are several sources of information on Dawson City and the Yukon. Begin by exploring The Yukon Visitors Center . Also, The Klondike Visitors Association 867 993-5575. Parks Canada offers information about public lands in Yukon.

For information on excellent hikes or float trips in the Fortymile River and Trail System near Dawson, but actually in Alaska, visit the The Alaska Public Lands Information Center , or for information about the wilderness area on the Canadian side near Dawson City, the Visitor Reception Center  operated by Tourism Yukon and Parks Canada. Located at Front and King streets it is housed in a replica of the 1897 Alaska Commercial Company Store. It offers information, schedule of daily events, maps and much more. They also show interesting films and videos on the history of the area. It is open daily from 8am to 8pm. 867 993-5566 (ph) 867 993-6449 (fax).

Around Dawson City
The Ridge Road Heritage Trail was original built in 1899 to help move mining equipment along Bonanza Creek. It was abandoned in 1902 and again reopened in 1996 as a 20 mi./32 km. trail. By foot, it takes about 1 1/2 to 2 days or 4-6 hours by mountain bike. There are interpretive signs and remnants of building along the route. There are also two campgrounds along the trail at Mile 7 (11km) and Mile 12 (19km) with outhouses, fire pits and water pumps.

FLOATING THE YUKON RIVER  Dawson is an ideal place to begin any float trip along the Yukon. From Dawson, the river takes you west to Eagle through some of Alaska's wildest country, particularly the The Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve. From here it is about a five day float trip to Circle City at the northern terminus of the Steese Highway (162 m. / 261 km.) from Fairbanks.

At 1980 miles the Yukon is the fourth longest river in North American and the fifth largest flow volume of ANY river on earth.  Dawson lies 1500 miles from its end at the Bering Sea near Nome.  A pleasant alternative is a float from Eagle to Circle City which takes about five days. Circle City is connected to Fairbanks via the Steese Highway.  The Yukon, from Dawson to Circle is gentle flowing and travels through the Yukon Charley Rivers National Preserve (see National Parks) and some of the most scenic country in North America.  For more information about float options on the Yukon, contact Alaska Outdoor Rentals & Guides in Fairbanks at 907 457-2453, the Eagle Visitor Center PO Box 167, Eagle, AK.  99738, or the Klondike Visitor's Centre in Dawson City.

Alaska Outdoors Rental & Guides 907 457-2453, or Eagle Canoe Rentals 907 547-2203 can assist with canoe rental services for a float down the Yukon River to Circle City.  Getting back to Dawson City, Eagle or Fairbanks is possible by air or via Alaska/Yukon Trails 1 800 770-7275.