Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park · Alaska

Chilkoot Trail

16 mi of trail, end to end · about 5,100 ft of climbing · 96 ft–3,570 ft · native, wood surface · trail class Developed, Highly Developed, Minimally Developed · hiking · seasonal: Winter seasonal closure

ViewsBackcountry campsCampgroundsPicnic areasRanger stations

1,074 ft 3,570 ft · 2.8 mi high 3,570 ft

Along the way Sheep Camp Tent Pad Sheep Camp Tent Pad Sheep Camp Tent Pad Sheep Camp Tent Pad Sheep Camp Tent Pad Sheep Camp Tent Pad Sheep Camp Tent Pad Sheep Camp Tent Pad Sheep Camp Tent Pad Sheep Camp Tent Pad Sheep Camp Tent Pad Sheep Camp Tent Pad and 44 more

Trailhead Chilkoot Trailhead 56 ft Drive there

Hike The Chilkoot Trail With Your Dog the Park Service's write-up

1-7 Days · dogs allowed · entrance fee applies · reservation required · Summer · season The park monitors and staffs this trail in conjunction with Parks Canada only June- early September. While the trail never officially closes, hikers in the fall, winter, and spring are traveling at their own risk. When in town, contact the park before hiking outside of the summer season.

Start Chilkoot Trail trailhead

two women and a dog pose with a Chilkoot Trail sign

Bringing your four-legged friend as a hiking companion on the Chilkoot Trail is nothing new, but rules about dogs on the trail have changed since the days of the Klondike Gold Rush . Before embarking on a single day or multi-day hiking trip, dog owners should be aware of some of the following issues that their dogs may face while on the trail:

This is a very rough trail with lots of rocks that can be rough on dog paws, so bring a dog first aid kit.

Some water sources are difficult to get to with a dog on leash, so bring a water dish.

Conditions can be very wet on the trail, so bring a towel for your dog.

Sleeping directly on the ground can be very cold, so bring warm gear and a sleeping pad for your dog.

Hikers must cross one suspension bridge that not all dogs are comfortable with (must cross two if hikers go to the Canyon City Ruins ). Suspension bridges are built to be flexible and they can sway and yield to hiker body weights, but some dogs struggle with this lack of stability under foot

The Golden Stairs is a ½ mile steep ascent up a scree and boulder field, so dogs will have to rock hop.

Dogs are not allowed on emergency medical helicopter flights, so solo hikes with dogs are not advised.

Accessibility The Chilkoot Trail is a 33 miles challenging trek. Most hikers spend 3-5 days backpacking the route. Terrain is uneven and extremely steep in some sections. Hikers of all abilities have hiked this route in the past. If you are curious about accessibility for your needs please contact the park .

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 69 trails in Klondike Gold Rush National Historical ParkFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.