Copperbelt Railway & Mining Museum 🇨🇦

Located just four kilometers west of Whitehorse along a rich copper-bearing skarn, the MacBride Copperbelt Mining Museum—formerly the Copperbelt Railway & Mining Museum—offers you an authentic look into the Yukon’s fascinating mining past. Set on an eight-hectare parcel, this non-profit destination is operated by the Miles Canyon Historic Railway Society to preserve and celebrate the region's unique railway and industrial heritage. When you visit, you will explore a charming main museum building constructed directly from historical blueprints to replicate a classic 1906 train station.

Outdoors, you can experience a 1.8-kilometer figure-eight narrow-gauge railway track that weaves through the historical grounds, first established in 1998. The site brings to life the stories of Gold Rush prospectors who discovered rich copper deposits here in 1898 while traveling toward Dawson. You will learn about early surface prospecting, underground tunneling, and local historic operations like the famous Copper King and Pueblo mines.

Discover how copper boom-and-bust cycles shaped Whitehorse's early economy, and honor the tragic history of local miners. It is a compelling, educational stop that provides you with a grounded perspective on Yukon's broader territorial history beyond the gold rush.

What to see at Copperbelt Railway & Mining Museum

• Museum building modeled directly after a 1906 train station
• 1.8 km figure-eight narrow gauge railway layout on an eight-hectare property
• Historical exhibits covering 1898 Gold Rush prospectors and copper discoveries
• Insights into prominent historic local mines like Copper King and Pueblo

Visiting tips

Plan your visit between early June and Labour Day weekend in September when the museum is open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm at 91928 Alaska Highway.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Early June to Labour Day

How to get there & what’s nearby

Copperbelt Railway & Mining Museum is easy to reach on Whitehorse’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre and MacBride Museum of Yukon History. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Whitehorse travel guide.