Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
Park Formation
Established in 1976, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park preserves and interprets the history of the 1897-98 Klondike Gold Rush. The park consists of three units in Alaska and one in Seattle, WA—each playing a vital role in the gold rush stampede. In Alaska, these units include the Skagway Historic District, the White Pass Trail, and the Chilkoot National Historic Trail/Dyea Townsite. Begin your exploration of the region's rich gold rush history at the National Park Service Visitor Center, located at 2nd Avenue and Broadway in Skagway.
Preserving History & Becoming an International Historical Park
From 1997 to 1998, the park commemorated the centennial of the Klondike Gold Rush. On August 5, 1998, the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, managed jointly by the U.S. National Park Service and Parks Canada, was designated as an International Historical Park. The National Park Service has played a key role in preserving and restoring historic Skagway, helping revitalize the town as a historical landmark. To date, the park has restored 14 of the 15 historic buildings it acquired for their gold rush-era significance. Six of these buildings have been leased as businesses (look for brass plaques outside the entrances). Other historic structures house the Visitor Center, administrative offices, staff housing, and exhibits such as the Mascot Saloon and the Moore House. The Moore House, built by Skagway’s founder, Captain William Moore, and his son J. Bernard Moore, is a popular attraction. Restored to its 1904 appearance, the house is furnished with original family possessions, offering a glimpse into family life in an Alaskan pioneer town.
Plan your Skagway Adventure!
From May to September, the Visitor Center, located in the restored 1898 Railroad Depot at 2nd & Broadway, offers a range of programs and services. The center showcases exhibits that highlight the area’s turn-of-the-century history and provides information on its natural and cultural resources, as well as recreational opportunities. Visitors can enjoy a variety of free activities, including regular screenings of historic films, ranger-led presentations on diverse topics, pick up Junior Ranger booklets and special events. The Chilkoot National Historic Trail, often called "the world’s longest outdoor museum," marks the beginning of the route to the Yukon goldfields. This 33-mile trail offers a thrilling hiking experience, stretching from tidewater at Dyea to Bennett Lake in Canada (17 miles in the U.S. and 16 miles in Canada). Those planning this trail should stop by the Trail Center, located on Broadway between 5th and 6th Avenues, open from May to September.
Click here to visit the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park web site.