Klondike Goldfields "Where it all began"

Dream of being the miner who plucked the first gold from Bonanza Creek, sparking the Klondike Gold Rush in 1896. Stand on the very spot at the Discovery Claim when hiking the Discovery Trail. Head to Dredge No. 4 and marvel at this gravel-eating 8-storey monster covering two-thirds of a football field. Imagine the desperate dreams created by this barren landscape as you tour the Klondike Goldfields.

Programs Self guided

Programs

Dredge No. 4 National Historic Site

Dredge No. 4
Dredge No. 4

Visitors are welcome to visit the Dredge No. 4 site, and can learn about this amazing machine and what it took to build and maintain these machines, through interpretive panels in the parking lot. Shipwrights have been working to restore and stabilize this amazing piece of Klondike history.

The Restoration of Dredge No. 4 (Video)

Guided tours

Take a guided tour through the interior of Dredge No. 4 and discover the evolution of Placer mining-from early pioneers unearthing gold-bearing gravel by hand, to large scale corporate gold-digging machines forever altering the landscape.

Pre-book at the Visitor Centre on Front Street; 6 people max.
Program schedule

Self guided

Discovery Claim National Historic Site

Discovery Claim trailhead
Discovery Claim trailhead
© CTC / Fritz Mueller

This is a legally defined mining claim located on Bonanza Creek, fifteen kilometres above its confluence with the Klondike River. Originally staked on August 17, 1896, it is the site of the gold discovery that sparked the Klondike Gold Rush.

Self Guided Trail
A 1 km trail with interpretive panels tells the amazing story of this area’s past. Though it is tempting, please do not pan for gold. You are invited to pan for gold for free at Claim No. 6 – a short drive beyond Discovery Claim.

Location: km 15 on Bonanza Creek Road

Site-guide for the Klondike Goldfields

There is so much to explore!

The Klondike goldfields site-guide can accompany you in your exploration of Bonanza Creek Road, Dredge No. 4 and Discovery Claim National Historic Sites. When exploring the goldfields on your own this guide and souvenir will provide you with historic images, additional information and easy-to-understand diagrams.

Available in English, French, German and Japanese at the Visitor's Information Centre on Front St. from 9 am to 8 pm daily during the operational season: $2.50.

Xplorers

Become a Parks Canada Xplorer

Are your children curious, bright, and active? Do they like challenges? Are they budding artists, dreamers or promising journalists? Then they are a perfect candidate to become a Parks Canada Xplorer.

When the kids have completed the requested number of activities they will be recognized as an official Xplorer with a certificate and a special collectible souvenir!

Ask for the booklets at the Visitor’s Centre and head out to “Xplore” with your family!

Geocaching

Geocaching in the goldfields
Geocaching in the goldfields

There are geocaches placed by Parks Canada in the goldfields. Each cache contains information about locations and people commemorated in the Klondike, as well as a secret question. If you bring the correct answers to FOUR of the secret questions, you can receive a small token from the Parks Canada desk at the Visitor Information Centre.

Geocaching

Red Chairs

person and dog sitting in red chairs in the goldfields
Red chairs in the Klondike Goldfields
The Red Chairs Experience Program is intended to provide opportunities to connect with nature, and to experience the most unique and treasured places within Canada. Visitors are encouraged to seek out the “Red Chairs” to enjoy these special places and to share their experience through social media and other communication channels.

There are red chairs located in the Klondike Goldfields.