Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park - Seattle, Washington Commemorating the Klondike Gold Rush

The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is a United States listed historical park that commemorates the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1890s. The original gold rush took place in the Yukon Territory, and this park boasts staging areas for the trek to that destination. The park is made up of four units with three located in the Municipality of Skagway Borough, Alaska and the fourth found in Pioneer Square National Historic District in Seattle, Washington.

Visitorsarriving in downtown Seattle via I-5 should take the James Street exit for arrival at the park area. After exiting the highway, travelers should turnwest onto James Street.Travel downhillturning left atFifth Avenue.From Fifth Avenue turn right at Jackson Street.The visitor center ison the northwest corner of Jackson Street and Second Avenue. Several King County METRO bus routes service the Pioneer Square Historic District. The park is also within walking distance of the Washington State Ferry Terminal.

The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center offers visitors a chance to step back in time and journey to the Yukon gold fields of Canada as thousands did in 1897 and 1898. Interactive exhibits highlight Seattle's role in this international event. Touch screen computer availability allows visitors to experience the gold rush through the eyes of actual stampedersby referring totheir journals and personal accounts.

The visitor center in Seattle is located on the northwest corner of Jackson Street and Second Avenue South. It is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year'sDay. No entrance fees are charged to visit the historical park. Visitors can purchase the new America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass at the front desk of the visitor's center. A pass is available for $80 and provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites, which charge an entrance fee or standard amenity fee.

Between September and May there are few scheduled visitor programs. Films are shown upon request. Programs for organized educational groups are offered September through May. Advanced reservations are required. Many kids programs are available at the park including the Junior Ranger Day held in April of each year. Children are able to join a up with a rangerand volunteers from the Klondike Gold RushNational Historical Parkand learn what it was like to make the long journey tothe Yukon Territoryin search of gold and jobs.During the Kids Join the Big Read Program, kids learn about the Klondike Gold Rush through books, and watch a puppet show based on Jack London's book Call of the Wild.

School teachers can plan field trips for their students which include 1 to 1 1/2 hours at the park viewing videos, ranger demonstrations, and participating in ranger led activities. A reservation calendar is available online and education programs are offered from September through the end of May.