Dawson City
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Distance Between Dawson City and:
Fairbanks = 393 mi / 580 km
Anchorage = 515 mi / 824 km
Whitehorse
= 327 mi / 526 km
Valdez = 441 mi / 706 km
Inuvik = 450 mi / 747 km
Population = 2,019
Elevation = 1,050 ft. / 320 m.
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.
The route takes you along the
scenic Top of The World Highway. The route is open only from mid-May to
mid-September and offers spectacular vista's, access to remote trailheads and
scenic wild river systems, and some of the richest gold bearing country in the
world.
NOTE: if you are planning on travel between Alaska and Canada, you will need to provide adequate proof of citizenship. You will not be allowed on board without this proof, as we do not want to have to leave you at the border! A birth certificate or passport is sufficient. Drivers licenses / social security cards are NOT considered adequate for either Canadian or U.S. residents.
Few places in the world have the ability just by mention of the name to conjure up the sheer madness of humankind. For a few short years at the turn of the last century, 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. They came here from all walks of life and from all corners of the earth, traversing incredible wilderness, all in search of their fortunes. Several fortunes were made in Dawson, but for the vast majority of those who braved the most inhospitable climate and country in the world, disappointment was the only reward. In a place where few white men had ventured before, thousands of ordinary people left their former lives behind and risked everything in an attempt to claim their share of the rich gold fields of the Klondike. For a completely fascinating history of this era, read "Klondike Fever" by Dawson author Pierre Burton.
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.
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.
T raveling to Dawson via the Top Of The World Route - the government operate a free ferry service from mid-May to mid-October. This 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 the city on the east side of the river. It operates 24 hours a day and departs Dawson City on demand. Long waits (up to 3 hours is common) during peak hours 7-11am and 4-7pm.
The city has several hotels, and all the modern conveniences of any small town. There are 2 government campgrounds in the area, and a hostel, ph: (867) 993-6823, located on the east bank of the Yukon River.
For Connections to Whitehorse: Dawson City Courier operates daily passenger service between Dawson City and Whitehorse (327 miles) every day
year round. Phone: (867) 993-6687. Fax: (867) 993-5937. This offers an excellent opportunity to plan your trip to or from Alaska with a visit to Dawson without backtracking. Ask us and we can arrange this for you.
T
here are several sources of information on Dawson City and the Yukon. Begin by exploring The Yukon Visitors Center . Also, The Klondike Visitors Association Phone: (867) 993-5575. Parks Canada offers lot of information about
public lands in Yukon.
F or 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 Centre 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 has loads of 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. Phone (867)993-5566, fax: (867) 993-6449.
There is so much to see and do in Dawson City and the surrounding area that it is best to plan on about three days. Dawson is an excellent base for exploring the surrounding country.
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 the Eagle Visitor Center PO Box 167, Eagle, AK. 99738, or the Klondike Visitor's Centre in Dawson City.
Eagle Canoe Rentals (907) 547-2203. Will rent for a five day float downriver to Circle City. Getting back is possible via air or highway to Fairbanks. For more options, visit the Fairbanks Visitor's Center.
Dawson City Taxi PO Box 632, Dawson City, Yukon Y0B 1G0. (867) 993-6688 fax: (867) 993-6688. They have regular runs between Whitehorse and Dawson City (327 miles). Also from Dawson to Inuvik from June to September. In 2001 they departed Dawson Monday and Friday and returned on Wednesday and Sunday with two stops - one at Eagle Plains and one at Fort McPherson. Call for Current Schedule.