History of the Silver Trail & Mayo: Discovering Yukon’s Gold Rush Legacy

The Silver Trail is more than a scenic route — it’s a living chapter of Yukon history. The region grew from mining camps, Indigenous heritage, and later, thriving silver operations that shaped local communities like Mayo and Keno City.

Here’s a closer look at the fascinating history of the Silver Trail and why visitors today still feel its magnetic pull.

Early Origins: Indigenous Land and Traditional Routes

Long before the mining boom, First Nations peoples navigated this region, hunting, trapping, and traveling along what we now call the Silver Trail.

The Gold Rush Ripple Effect

As gold prospectors spread across the Yukon in the late 1800s, exploration expanded into new territories — including Mayo.

Though gold brought people north, it was silver that later transformed the area.

The Rise of Keno City and Silver Mining

In the 1910s–1920s, rich deposits of silver and lead were discovered, creating bustling towns that served miners, trappers, and transport crews.

Historic structures in Keno still reflect that era, frozen in time.

The Role of the Stewart River

Mayo became a transport hub thanks to riverboats carrying ore and supplies up and down the Stewart River — the lifeline of the region.

Today: A Place Where History Meets Adventure

Visitors can still explore:

• Old mining roads

• Historic buildings

• Abandoned equipment

• Interpretive panels and museums

The Silver Trail remains one of Canada’s most unique heritage routes.