Dawson City is small, but the country around it is vast, and some of the best experiences are a drive away. A rental car, a camper or a guided tour opens up the goldfields, the Dempster Highway and the ridge-top Top of the World Highway. This guide sets out the main day trips, with distances and the road conditions you should expect.
Know the roads
Most roads outside town are gravel or chip seal, and services are scarce. Fill the fuel tank in Dawson before any long drive, carry a spare tyre and water and tell someone where you are going. Cell coverage is limited, so download maps beforehand. Check your rental agreement, as many companies restrict gravel roads. Ask at the Visitor Information Centre for current road and weather conditions before you set out.
Bonanza Creek and the goldfields
The easiest and most rewarding trip goes south from Dawson along Bonanza Creek. The Discovery Claim, a free roadside site a short drive from town, marks the spot where the strike that launched the gold rush was made, and a trail with interpretive signs explains what happened. Dredge No. 4, a little farther along, is a one-hour guided tour in summer, and the Bear Creek compound and Goldbottom, on Hunker Creek, add industrial history and hands-on gold panning. Allow a full day to do the goldfields well, with picnic supplies, since there are few places to eat.
Tombstone Territorial Park
Tombstone is the Yukon's most dramatic wilderness landscape, a ring of jagged granite peaks rising above tundra, lakes and braided streams. The park lies along the Dempster Highway, which leaves the Klondike Highway southeast of Dawson, and it takes roughly an hour and a half to reach. The Dempster is a gravel highway with long distances between services, so plan carefully and be self-sufficient. The interpretive centre is open in summer, and short walks near the campground give a taste of the park, while longer hikes require backcountry skills. A full day is possible, and it is a long one.
Top of the World Highway
A free ferry carries you across the Yukon River from Dawson, and the road climbs onto a ridge with wide views over the tundra. The drive is seasonal, since the ferry runs only in open water, and the border crossing to Alaska operates in the warm months with limited hours. A trip to the first viewpoints and back takes a few hours, while a full day will take you to the border and perhaps to the tiny Alaskan settlement of Chicken. Check the road and the border hours before you go, and carry the identification you need.
The Midnight Dome
Not a long trip, but an essential one. A winding drive of 10 to 15 minutes takes you to the summit above town, where you can look over the Yukon River and the Klondike valleys. It is a fine sunset stop in summer and a good place to watch for the northern lights on clear nights from late August to April, weather and road conditions permitting.
Moosehide and the river
The Moosehide Slide is visible from town, and the First Nation community of Moosehide lies downriver. Visit only by invitation or at public events. A walk along the waterfront or a ride on the S.S. Keno gives a feel for the river without a long drive.
Choosing between trips
If you have one free day, choose the goldfields for history, Tombstone for wilderness or the Top of the World Highway for big views and a ferry ride. If you have two, combine the goldfields with either Tombstone or the Top of the World. If you prefer not to drive, ask the Visitor Information Centre about guided tours, which operate in the summer.
Winter driving
In winter, the Klondike Highway is usually maintained, but conditions can change fast, and the Top of the World Highway is not a normal tourist route. Carry winter gear, a shovel, blankets and food, and consider a guided tour if you are not used to northern conditions.
Pack for the day
Bring water, snacks, layers, a hat, insect repellent, a camera and a paper map. A full tank, a good spare tyre and patience will make the day more enjoyable. Remember that in summer the daylight lasts so long that you can start late and still return before dark, but fatigue is real, so stop and rest.