Pelly Crossing is a vibrant community nestled in the heart of Yukon, Canada. This charming locale is situated where the Klondike Highway crosses the Pelly River, making it a significant point of interest for travelers and history enthusiasts alike.
Pelly Crossing is the proud home of the Selkirk First Nation and a beacon of the Northern Tutchone culture. Visitors can immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage through displays and artifacts housed in a replica of the Big Jonathan House. For those seeking a more adventurous experience, a boat journey from Minto to the original structure down the Yukon River at Fort Selkirk offers an unforgettable excursion. This site holds immense historical and cultural significance for the Northern Tutchone people.
The Selkirk First Nation community established Pelly Crossing as a ferry crossing and a highway construction camp during the construction of the Klondike Highway from Whitehorse to Dawson City in 1950. The completion of the Pelly River bridge and the road to Dawson City marked the end of sternwheeler traffic on the Yukon River. Consequently, Fort Selkirk, located near the confluence of Pelly and Yukon Rivers, was virtually abandoned. The Government of Canada relocated members of the Selkirk First Nation from Fort Selkirk to Minto Landing before finally settling at Pelly Crossing. Today, the restored Fort Selkirk is a popular stop for Yukon River travelers.
Pelly Crossing is strategically located on the Pelly River, 155 miles south of Dawson City on the Klondike Highway. This geographical positioning offers a unique blend of accessibility and scenic beauty.
Pelly Crossing experiences a severely continental subarctic climate (Dfc) characterized by short but warm summers. However, the majority of the year is dominated by bitterly cold winters. During cold snaps, temperatures can plummet to as low as −60 °C (−76 °F). Despite the harsh winters, the weather remains relatively dry, and summer nights are pleasantly cool.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Pelly Crossing had a population of 316 living in 139 of its 159 total private dwellings. This marked a change of -10.5% from its 2016 population of 353. With a land area of 32.28 km2 (12.46 sq mi), it had a population density of 9.8/km2 (25.4/sq mi) in 2021.
The local community of Pelly Crossing thrives on hunting, trapping, fishing, and guiding. The town boasts a school, curling rink, baseball field, swimming pool, and youth centre, offering a variety of recreational activities for residents and visitors alike.
