Klondike Highway
United States
Climbing out of Skagway over the White Pass where pack animals collapsed in their thousands during the Gold Rush, the Klondike Highway follows the prospectors' footsteps through steely lakes and abandoned roadhouses to Dawson City, a boomtown frozen in 1898.
Explore on the interactive map →Stops along the route
- Skagway
A boomtown of 40,000 in 1898, now a quiet port of 1,000. Broadway Street's false-fronted wooden buildings are intact; the White Pass trail starts here.
- White Pass Summit
The Dead Horse Trail, where 3,000 pack animals perished in the winter of 1897-98. At 873m the view back down to the Skagway River is desolate and vast.
- Carcross
A lakeside village with a historic general store and the Carcross Desert, a 2.6 sq km remnant glacial lakebed, often called the world's smallest desert.
- Whitehorse
The Yukon's thriving capital. The SS Klondike sternwheeler is dry-docked on the riverbank; Miles Canyon cuts the Yukon River just south of town.
- Five Finger Rapids
Four basalt pillars funnel the Yukon River into churning channels near Carmacks. Gold Rush stampeders ran these rapids in heavily laden wooden boats.
- Dawson City
The end of the stampede trail. False-fronted saloons, active gold-panning claims, and Diamond Tooth Gertie's gambling hall, all frozen in 1898 amber.
Where to Eat
- Skagway Brewing CompanyBrewpub
Enjoy craft beers and hearty pub fare in a historic setting dating back to the Gold Rush era.
- Baked Café & BakeryCafé
Savor freshly baked goods and artisanal coffee in a cozy atmosphere in downtown Whitehorse.
- Klondike Kate's RestaurantLocal Diner
Experience Yukon hospitality with classic dishes and live music in a rustic log cabin.
- Caribou Crossing CoffeeCafé
Relax with a cup of locally roasted coffee and homemade pastries in Carcross.
Things to Do
- White Pass & Yukon Route RailwayHistoric Site
Ride a historic narrow-gauge train through stunning mountain scenery from Skagway to White Pass Summit.
- Carcross DesertNature
Explore the world's smallest desert, featuring unique sand dunes amidst a northern landscape.
- SS Klondike National Historic SiteMuseum
Tour a restored sternwheeler that once navigated the Yukon River, showcasing the region's riverboat history.
- Dredge No. 4 National Historic SiteHistoric Site
Visit a massive gold dredge that operated in the Klondike Goldfields, offering insights into gold mining history.
Travel advisory
The highway starts in Skagway, Alaska and crosses into Yukon, Canada, so a valid passport is required and customs clearance is mandatory at the border. Some sections near the White Pass are narrow with steep drop-offs and can be icy outside summer; carry chains or all-season tires in shoulder seasons.