Dredge No. 4 National Historic Site

Dredge No. 4 is a preserved bucket-line sluice dredge located near Dawson City in the Yukon Territory of Canada. It represents a significant artifact from the Klondike Gold Rush era, symbolizing the evolution of gold mining techniques in the region. Constructed in 1912 by the Canadian Klondyke Mining Company, Dredge No. 4 is the largest wooden-hulled bucket dredge in North America. It operated as part of extensive dredging activities in the Yukon from 1899 to 1966, extracting gold from placer deposits along Bonanza Creek. The dredge ceased operations after sinking in 1959 and has since been preserved as a historical site. Standing approximately 18 meters high and spanning an area equivalent to two-thirds of a football field, Dredge No. 4 was designed as a massive gold-digging machine equipped with iron buckets to excavate gravel and process it for gold recovery. It exemplifies the industrial-scale mining that transformed the Yukon's landscape during the early 20th century. Situated along Bonanza Creek Road, approximately 13 kilometers south of the Klondike Highway and 20 kilometers southeast of Dawson City, the site is managed by Parks Canada as a National Historic Site. Guided tours are available, providing insights into the history of the Gold Rush and the dredge's operations. Virtual tours may also be accessed for remote viewing.

No visit to Dawson City is complete without a visit to Dredge No. 4 just outside Dawson City. It's a free authentic site to walk around with lots of info boards to tell you what you are seeing. The dredge is HUGE and the collection of buckets make for an interesting slice of authentic history. Seeing the endless tailing trails of rock pulled from the riverbed for decades before dredging was ended in 1968 gives you a sense of how big this endeavour was and why so many goldpanners sought their fortunes here.Tours are available but check the website before you head onto the gravel road. Walk the original trail where Cormack found the first Yukon gold. Futher on there is an active placier mining site; sifting gold from the riverbed with water cannons. If you want try your hand at gold pannning, there are businesses in town where you can register a claim and equip yourself but be aware that most local claims are spoken for. Easier yet, support the local smiths who turn local Yukon gold into rustic or refined jewellery without getting your hands muddy.

Take a guided tour through the interior of this massive machine with Parks staff 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.

Cool tourism spot but TERRIBLE service. We went on Sunday and arrived at 4 PM (the place closes at 5 every day) and there were numerous people but no offical Parks Canada staff working there. Considering its a major attraction, I am surprised by the fact that there were no staff AT ALL and no signs as to why. Also most of the dredge was off limits for no visible reason. Not a good servicing experience, and if you asked the people who were also present, they would probably agree.

Great tour with David, learning about Dredge #4 and the history of gold mining in the area. It is a little disconcerting to know we are still devastating the landscape with active open pit mining happening all over the area

So cool, but you need to take the tour that takes you inside. This dredge is actually a boat!

Great tour today with a male guide I didn’t catch his name. He had his script but easily as lobbed when a prop wasn’t there and answered our questions. One question was about the number of revolutions one (thus the power sound etc) of the gears made and it made his gears turn and I think he enjoyed it. That’s is heartwarming to visitors and shows he is receptive to new ideas and questions. His voice projection was very good. Recommend and would do again. Abuse you always learn something new. It’s about a 20 min drive from town so plan for that but I think if you plan it right you can do several guided park tours in a day. This dredge is unique and one of the few dredges preserved for tour (another is in Chicken, AK) so I recommend it. Ur guide ended the tour with some fun facts about the dredge owners other activities and that make it more human and not just about the industrial side of mining. I really liked that and am sorry I didn’t get the guides name.

Great tour. Very informative. Purchase in advance.