S.S. Klondike National Historic Site

We stopped here even though the boat is currently closed to the public. They are restoring it and will be reopened in the future. They have a small visitor centre and the staff was very nice. There is still plenty of information about the boat without being able to go invitation. There are also some red Adirondack chairs that are part of Parks Canada. It was fun taking our pictures in the chairs.

The SS Klondike is a historic sternwheeler vessel, now preserved as a National Historic Site of Canada in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. It represents one of the last remaining examples of steam-powered paddlewheelers that played a crucial role in the transportation of goods and passengers along the Yukon River during the early 20th century. Originally constructed in 1929 by the British Yukon Navigation Company, the ship was designed to carry freight between Whitehorse and Dawson City. It sank in 1936 due to an accident but was subsequently rebuilt and relaunched as the SS Klondike II in 1937, with enhanced capacity for cargo and passengers. The vessel operated until 1955, when river transportation declined due to the development of road infrastructure. It was then moved to its current dry-docked location on the banks of the Yukon River, adjacent to the Robert Campbell Bridge in Whitehorse, where it serves as a museum exhibit illustrating the evolution of Yukon River navigation and life during that era. As of September 2025, the SS Klondike is undergoing a $14 million restoration project to address structural issues and ensure waterproofing, rendering it temporarily closed to visitors. Managed by Parks Canada, the site offers educational insights into the region's transportation history upon reopening.

I was quite disappointed that the boat is inaccessible because of restoration. You can only view it from outside the fencing that is all around it. I realize projects like this are necessary sometimes, but they need to have a much more prominent notice on their website about it being closed. Or better yet actually close it and put all the resources into completing the restoration in a more timely manner.

It's a bit unfair to rate this site as the S.S. Klondike is closed to the public as it is currently being restored. The Parks Canada welcome centre, however, is open, as are the grounds, a small cinema showing the movie, “In the Days of the Riverboats,” and an escape room. Once this famous riverboat reopens to the public it will likely become again a must-see attraction in Whitehorse. For now, however, you can prioritize going to the many other fun sites and activities on offer in Whitehorse and surrounding areas.

Stopped in to visit this museum and ended up hopping on a tour that had just started for an extra $10. The tour was interesting, very professionally done by parks Canada, and the other visitors struck up a conversation and asked good questions. I recommend the tour rather than just looking around, as you feel more like you have experienced the real thing.

Although the ship was not open, it's great to have a preserved steamship, and I like how accessible it is in terms of being able to walk around the ship so close to it, to marvel at it, take photos, and read the contents of the description boards around the ship, even at night in the middle of winter. It was also beautifully lit up! The only thing was many of the boards around the ship were dark and can't be read unless I turn my flashlights on -- it would be a lot nicer if there were illuminating lights!

We visited the visitor center and enjoyed reading the history. The mark down is due to the SS Klondike being closed for renovations and lead removal. Super bummer! We made the best of it though.

I didn’t do the tour, but there was an informative historical video (about 20 minutes) and a brochure that was about $2 which explained everything you need to know about the boat. While the boat is undergoing repairs and only the lower level is able to be accessed at the time of writing (July 2023), it was still a worthwhile place to visit while in Whitehorse.