Area guides
Dawson City: a guide for tourists
5 min read
Dawson City boardwalks
Getting there and getting around
Dawson is 530 km north of Whitehorse — six hours driving the Klondike Highway, or a 90-minute Air North flight. The town itself is tiny, walkable in 15 minutes end to end, with dirt streets and wooden boardwalks preserved by Parks Canada. Rent a car in Whitehorse if you’re driving up; local rentals are limited and pricey. The ferry across to West Dawson runs June to October and is free.
What to do and where to stay
Two nights minimum: one for the town (Palace Grand, Jack London and Robert Service cabins, Diamond Tooth Gertie's evening show), one for Bonanza Creek (Dredge No. 4, Discovery Claim, and panning at Claim 33). Stay at Bombay Peggy's ($155+) for character, Downtown Hotel ($165) for comfort, or Klondike Kate's Cabins ($195) for a kitchenette. The Dome viewpoint at midnight in June, when the sun barely sets, is the moment you came for.
Frequently asked questions
Is anything open in winter?
Basic services yes, most tourist sites no — Parks Canada tours end mid-September, and Gertie's closes for winter.
What about the Sourtoe Cocktail?
Still served at the Sourdough Saloon inside the Downtown Hotel, $8 to join the club — bring a strong stomach.
Where to stay
Rooms worth pairing with this guide.
Ready to plan this trip?
Real prices for the places this piece names.
