Welcome to the historic gold rush town of Dawson City, located in the Yukon Territory of Canada! For more than a century, this remote and isolated town has played an important role in the history of Canada. From the Klondike Gold Rush in the late 1890s, to the founding of the Dawson City Museum in 1952, to the popularity of the Dawson City Music Festival, Dawson City is steeped in a unique set of stories and culture. In this text, we will be exploring the rich and fascinating history of Dawson City and its people.
Getting to Know Dawson City
Dawson City is a small town situated in the Yukon Territory of Northern Canada. With a population of less than 2,000 people, it is the largest community in the Klondike region of the Yukon. It is located in the Pacific Time Zone and is the region’s historical hub.
English and French are the two main languages spoken in Dawson City—English being the most widely used. There is a small First Nations population which speaks Na Hųnjituh, a Southern Tutchone language, as well. The local First Nations language and culture are celebrated throughout Dawson City.
The Canadian Dollar is the official currency in Dawson City. The majority of shopping areas, restaurants and accommodations accept credit cards, though cash is still predominately used in transactions. Prepaid credit cards and traveler’s cheques are also accepted in most establishments.
Climate and Weather
Located in the Yukon Territory of Canada, Dawson City has a subarctic climate that is heavily influenced by its inland location. Summers are short and mild, while winters are long and cold. Generally speaking, temperatures range between lows of -30 °C in winter to highs of 30 °C in summer.
Precipitation is light, with snowfall occurring from October to May. The warmest month is July, when the average high reaches 20 °C and the average low is approximately 12 °C. August is a bit cooler, with average highs of 16 °C, and average lows of 8 °C. The coldest months are December, January and February, with average lows of -18 to -20 °C and average highs of -10 to -13 °C.
Overall, Dawson City is a cold and dry climate, with plenty of snow in winter and short mild periods in summer, making it an ideal destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
Touring Dawson City: Airport and Transportation
There is only one airport in Dawson City: the Erik Nielsen Whitehorse Airport (YXY). You can get to downtown Dawson City from the airport by taxi for about $17. No, there is no currency exchange station at the Dawson City Airport.
Exploring the Rich History and Culture of Dawson City
- Dawson City is home to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Site, a living museum that allows visitors to experience the excitement and hardships of the Klondike Gold Rush
- Dawson City is a proud steward of its rich history, culture and heritage. Savouring traditional Indigenous and multicultural cuisine options, the vibrant music and art scene and the historic buildings in town will leave a lasting impression on everyone who visits
- One of the unique and popular activities for visitors interested in cultural and historical events is visiting the Downtown Historic buildings and doing the infamous Darmouth Walking tour – the #1 tour in Dawson
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