Dawson City – What to Do in Canada’s Klondike City

The view from the Midnight Dome above Dawson City
The view from the Midnight Dome above Dawson City

Dawson City, Canada’s Klondike City, is a small town with a big presence in the Yukon. It sits in the heart of the Klondike region – made famous by the Klondike Gold Rush in the late 1800’s. Tens of thousands of prospectors congregated here – hoping to make their fortune. Few did.

Today the Klondike City is home to about 1,300 people yet it hosts 60,000 visitors a year. The reason – the town is home to an eclectic mix of colourful history, culture along with wilderness on the doorstep.

Dawson City – Canada’s Klondike City

Why, might you wonder would people visit a town that’s a six hour drive from Whitehorse, and basically in the middle of nowhere?

Dawson City is full of history, it’s wildly colourful and to top it off it’s exceptionally scenic with its location on the Yukon River. You can count on plenty to do over a few days!

Did you know you can also do a loop drive on the Top of the World Highway to Jack Wade, Alaska from West Dawson? That road gives you the option of visiting Kluane National Park or you could continue and explore more of nearby Alaska. The gorgeous Dempster Highway that runs up to Inuvik and Tuktoyaktok is also close to Dawson City.

The George Black Ferry provides access to the Top of the World Highway
The George Black Ferry provides access to the Top of the World Highway

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Ideas of what you can do in Dawson City in 24 – 48 hours

We were in Dawson City for one day at the end of our backpacking trip in the Tombstone Mountains. We did manage to fit in many of the sights.

Visit the Midnight Dome

After dinner at the Aurora Inn, we drove 9 minutes to the top of the Midnight Dome. Impressive vistas up and down the Yukon River will have you racing for your camera. Try to time a visit with sunset – which is far easier to do at the end of the summer.

The view from the Midnight Dome above Dawson City
The view from the Midnight Dome above Dawson City
Another view from the Midnight Dome Lookout
Another view from the Midnight Dome Lookout

Drive or walk Canada’s Klondike City

Streets in Dawson City are lined with colourful houses and businesses – many that hearken back to their original purpose. What a treat for the eyes! 

I’d suggest that you pick up a map and then a walk around the town, street by street, as each one is so unique. 

It takes a while for the sun to reach street level at the end of the summer
It takes a while for the sun to reach street level at the end of the summer
Loads of houses with character
Loads of houses with character
Another wildly colourful house in the Klondike City
Another wildly colourful house in the Klondike City
Colourful store fronts
Colourful store fronts in Dawson City

We made our way down to the waterfront where we were greeted with the sight of a floating cabin and a red canoe. I’d love to know the backstory to this photo.

How would you like to live on the Yukon River for a summer?
How would you like to live on the Yukon River for a summer?

Hop on a paddle-wheeler in Dawson City

Experience the Yukon River via a paddle-wheeler over a 90 minute narrated tour. Guides explain what you’re seeing as you journey to the confluence of the Yukon and Klondike Rivers. You’ll see the paddle-wheeler graveyard, a seasonal native village and Caveman Bill’s home on the riverbank.

A paddle wheeler on the Yukon River
A paddle wheeler on the Yukon River

Check out the SS Keno in Dawson City

The SS Keno is a National Historic Site. The boat, built in 1922, was used to carry not just passengers but silver, lead and zinc from the mines in Mayo. 

You can take a tour with a Parks Canada interpreter or explore the boat on your own. It was in service until the 1950’s – providing a much needed lifeline to the outside world until roads were built.

The SS Keno in drydock
The SS Keno in drydock

Take a hike in Dawson City

Go for a walk on the Waterfront Trail that runs along the Yukon River dyke from the north end of Dawson all the way to the confluence of the Klondike River. Look for interpretive signs along the route.

Other worthwhile hikes include the Ninth Avenue Trail – a 2.5 km trail that loops around the town. From this trail you can access the Midnight Dome and Crocus Bluff Trails.

The 2 kilometre loop hike on the Orchid Trail – located off of the Top of the World Highway, offers excellent views of the Klondike and the Yukon Rivers plus the chance to see the Spotted Orchid.

Another excellent choice – though you need one very long day or two days to hike the 30 kilometres – is the Ridge Road Trail, built in 1899. It runs between Hunker and Bonanza Creek – and acted as an essential supply route for the goldfields.

A walking path along the Yukon River
A walking path along the Yukon River
The Westminster Hotel - established in 1898
The Westminster Hotel – established in 1898
St. Andrews Church - Circa 1901
St. Andrews Church – Circa 1901
One of the interesting o;d houses in Dawson City
One of the interesting old houses in Dawson City

Enjoy some Dawson City nightlife

Dawson City is famous for its nightlife. Unfortunately on our visit we were so tired after finishing our three day backpacking trip, all we could think of was hitting the pit. Seems a waste when I look back.

But assuming you have energy to burn there are some quintessential Klondike City experiences to be had.

Down a Sourtoe Cocktail – mummified human toe included. I passed on a chance to try it when the toe made an appearance at a Yukon event in Calgary. Remember to become a Sourtoe Cocktail Club member “You can drink it fast, you can drink it slow, but your lips must touch the toe.”

The cocktail should you want to make it at home calls for 1 ounce minimum of alcohol, 1 mummified toe, all garnished with courage.

Enjoy one of the three nightly shows at Diamond Tooth Gerties from May through September for only $15. 

Visit the Westminster Tavern & Lounge – called The Pit – by locals. There are two bars within it – a tavern called the Snake Pit and the lounge called the Arm Pit. It was voted by the Globe & Mail as the best live music venue in Canada! 

In mid-July, time a visit to coincide with the annual Dawson City Music Festival. It’s a three-day event that started in 1979. Described as “one of the most anticipated events in the north,” you can look forward to literally dozens of music performances, food trucks and beer gardens. 

Take a tour of the Palace Grand Theatre

Tours of the Palace Grand Theatre, a federal heritage building, are offered by Parks Canada a couple of times a day in English and French. Listen to stories of wild adventures told by energetic interpreters in period clothes. There are also regular live performances scheduled. 

The Palace Grand Theater in the Klondike City
The Palace Grand Theater in the Klondike City

Go gold panning in Dawson City

As you drive into Dawson City, you can’t miss the kilometres of dredge tailings. The sight of them might give you gold fever – and if that’s the case, you might want to try your hand at gold panning. Goldbottom offers mine tours and the chance to pan.

Along the highway leading to Dawson City is kilometre after kilometre of dredge tailings
Along the highway leading to Dawson City is kilometre after kilometre of dredge tailings

Interested in a short but scenic flight over Dawson City? Get a bird’s eye view and a unique perspective of the Klondike area over a 20-minute tour.

Places to stay in Dawson City

Dawson Lodge in the downtown is rated as fabulous.

Klondike Kate’s Cabins is rated as very good.

If you don’t mind a simple room at a good price then check out The Bunkhouse. It is rated very good.

John and I found Dawson City to be friendly and inviting. We both wished we had another day to take some of the tours and explore the nearby hills on foot.

Further reading on the Yukon

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What to do on a trip to colourful Dawson City in the Yukon Territory

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