Scuttled inconspicuously off the side of the road near Dawson in the Yukon territory are a veritable graveyard of wooden paddlewheel boats that remember a time when the rivers were the only way to get around.
The remains of about seven historic paddlewheel boats can be found lodged in the woods on the banks of the Yukon river outside of Dawson. Formerly the primary mode of transport in the region of Dawson along the Yukon River, the boats were abandoned as overground travel became more popular. The hulking wrecks are full of broken planks and damage looking almost as though they were crashed on shore. Most of the wrecks have collapsed after years of their wooden struts rotting away, but a few of the ships are still intact enough to explore, and many of the actual paddlewheels still remain thanks to their metal skeletons.
Located at the government campground on the west bank of the Yukon River adjacent to Dawson City, YT, Canada. Take the ferry across from Dawson to the Top of the World Highway (Highway #9). Park at the end of the campground (1300 yards from the highway) and walk north (downstream) along the Yukon River 330 yards.
