Klondike Gold Rush - prospectors mining in the Yukon mountains

The Klondike Gold Rush

Discover the untold story of the greatest gold rush in history. From the discovery at Bonanza Creek to the lasting legacy that shaped the North.

Portrait montage representing key figures of the Klondike Gold Rush

People of the Klondike

Meet the people who defined the Klondike—Indigenous guides, prospectors, authors, and entrepreneurs who shaped the rush and Dawson City.

Historic panning and sluicing scene from the Klondike

Mining the Klondike

How gold was extracted—from pans to sluices—plus the tools, logistics, and environmental consequences then and now.

Geological layers and creek systems of the Klondike region

Geology of the Gold

Why gold is found in the Klondike—formation, structures, and the creeks that concentrated placer deposits.

Timeline of the Gold Rush

Follow the key moments that defined one of history's greatest adventures

1896

Discovery at Bonanza Creek

George Carmack, Skookum Jim, and Tagish Charlie discover gold, igniting the rush.

1897

The News Spreads

Ships arrive in Seattle and San Francisco with gold, sparking worldwide frenzy.

1898

Peak of the Rush

Over 100,000 prospectors attempt the journey; Dawson City becomes a booming metropolis.

1899

The Rush Ends

Most accessible gold is claimed; prospectors begin leaving for new opportunities.