Background
Along the Yukon River in the sub-arctic north-west, Tr'ondëk-Klondike lies within the homeland of the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation. UNESCO says its archaeological and historic sources reflect Indigenous people's adaptation to the unprecedented changes of the Klondike Gold Rush at the end of the 19th century, with sites of exchange between Indigenous people and colonists and sites showing the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in's adaptations to colonial presence.
The Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in have occupied the Klondike for more than 9,000 years; the rush ran from 1896 to 1899 and gold has been mined since. Wikivoyage lists the eight components: one in Tombstone Territorial Park and seven in and near Dawson City, including the fishing camp of Tr'ochëk across the Klondike River, Moosehide Village and Fort Reliance downstream, and Forty Mile with Forts Cudahy and Constantine further on. Dawson itself was founded in January 1897 and was the Yukon's capital until 1952.
- 9,000 years agoThe Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in are in the Klondike
- 1887George M. Dawson maps the region
- 1896The gold rush begins
- 1897Dawson City is founded by Joseph Ladue
- 1898–1952Dawson is capital of the Yukon
- 2023Inscribed as World Heritage
Find Your Way Around
The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them
- 1Dawson CityThe gold-rush town, itself one of the eight sites.
- 2Tr'ochëkThe Hän fishing camp where the Klondike meets the Yukon, just across the river.
- 3Moosehide VillageJëjik Dhä Dënezhu Kek'it, downstream on the right bank.
- 4Forty MileCh'ëdähdëk and the forts Cudahy and Constantine, far downriver.
- 5Tombstone Territorial ParkThe eighth component, on the Dempster Highway.
- 6Bonanza CreekPan for gold at Claim 33 or the free claim further down.
Know Before You Go
From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides
Dawson and the River
Not yet in a GoGo guide
- 09:00Dawson City Streets2 hrsThe gold-rush town on the Yukon.
- 11:30Tr'ochëk1 hrThe fishing camp across the Klondike River.
- 14:00Bonanza Creek2 hrsGold panning where the rush began.
Best Time to Visit
Best months: Jul–Aug. Freezing days in Oct–Apr.
Typical highs
Climate: NASA POWER