Dawson City River Hostel - Dawson City, Yukon

Cecilia Jennings

Heads-up 2024 travellers: there is NO access to the bathhouse this season - no ability to have a shower on site - and plan to bring your own drinking water

We were sorely disappointed by our stay at the hostel. Having read earlier reviews we arrived with tempered expectations, understanding that there was no electricity, no hot water, and rustic accommodations. Despite these expectations we managed to be disappointed. The place is falling into disrepair and the management seems to have severed relationships with anyone who could help out.

As of late June 2024, the bathhouse is closed, so showers, even cold water baths, are impossible (we were only told this after we had paid in cash). The drinking water provided was dirty - visible debris floating in it - small bits of paper and other tiny particles. The urinals have a bucket of water to flush/rinse which had a dead rodent floating in it, and the outflow for the urinals were blocked with dead leaves and cones.
In our room, the door would not lock and the solar powered lights were broken, so we had to use headlamps and used our Swiss army knife to reposition the bolt on the door. None of the driving services, such as airport transfers or tours, were available as the owners license has been suspended.

Ultimately, what was most upsetting was that none of this had been disclosed before paying, and these services are prominently advertised and no refunds are provided. Once we heard the water tanks were empty, we offered to help out by carrying water to fill the tanks and Dieter told us he hadn't even opened the bathhouse for the 2024 season and wasn't even prepared to have us help fill water tanks. His behaviour was difficult - we tried to be polite but there was zero compassion or acknowledgement on his side that it is not okay to advertise services and not disclose that they are not available until after money has been handed over.

If you choose to stay here, be prepared as if you are doing self-supported camping - bring your own water, bug spray & nets for sleeping (cabins have cracks under the door where mosquitos can come in). Showers are available across the river at the RV park (4$ for 5minutes). Or save yourself the heartache and stay elsewhere, and support other more welcoming businesses in Dawson City.

Trevor F

I have always loved travel, meeting people and taking the road less travelled to experience new and/or unique things. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed being guests of Dieter's at the Dawson City River Hostel. What a truly cool place. There are very few, if any, places to look when there, where you will not see something new! Lots of kitschy items spread all over the property! This is definitely a place we would have been happy to stay longer! When we head back to Dawson City, this will be the place we plan on staying. The cabin we had was very clean, made from heavy timber (loved it!) and very comfortable. If you are looking for a luxury spot, just know ahead of time that there are only "outhouses" and you will need to shower in town. Not inconveniences at all in our books. Thank-you Dieter!

Robert S. Grafetstetter

My sweetheart was absolutely thrilled that I had booked exactly this accommodation. She had read about it during our travel preparations but didn't really expect to see this hostel let alone stay there. Yes, it's not a comfort accommodation but it's exactly the way I'd like accommodation in the vastness of the Yukon: absolutely authentic! We've had temperatures below zero at night, so the way to the outhouses or to the morning shower was a bit of a challenge. On the other hand ... just incredibly special.
And that the only really warm place was around the campfire was just great. You meet up in the evening, everyone has something to talk about, you get to know each other - a perfect holiday experience (if you don't need 5* accommodation and just want to sit by the pool and be entertained by the staff). Thank you Dieter for this experience - we will definitely come back.

Gabriele T

We have stayed at Dieter's hostel 3 times in the last 6 years. This time we canoed from Whitehorse to Dawson and hauled our numerous bags to the other side of the Yukon River by ferry and by using one of the hostel's canoe trailers. We rented two cabins and are always amazed how nice smelling and clean they are. There is no electricity at the hostel (except for plugs outside the office to recharge cell phones), but in early August in Dawson we did not miss it. The bath houses are a wonderful experience and the washing up areas are well-kept and offer plenty of water from the creek. Because of the mostly good weather and the amenities of Dawson itself, we did not spend any time in the communal cabin which boasts games and shelves and shelves of books and magazines, as well as a large wood stove. As mentioned in other reviews, the outhouses are well-maintained, too, complete with posters and other articles from everything about forest fire safety to how to recognize diseases such as mumps and German measles. The hostel store is stocked with a host of food items of interest to campers, a few luxuries and more books and maps. Once again, we met several people at the communal kitchen and shared our stories. I can't wait to go and stay with Dieter again. It's a true taste of the North, both rustic and homey.

Benno Kälin

1 night with a camper is one night too much. There is hardly a dirtier and grubby place than this. Actually a shame for Dawson. It is just a mess and dirty everywhere you go. The toilets have probably not been cleaned in weeks. Simple yes but not in this condition. The owner was extremely grumpy. We stayed a few hours and left early in the morning.

Mark H

This is a one a kind place that is fabulous for some folks and a great a place to be avoided by others.||This is a great place for someone who thinks of themselves as a traveler instead of a tourist. It’s rustic, quirky, colorful and you’ll meet fascinating people. There is no electricity. No indoor pluming of of any sort, but there is potable water and a community kitchen area.||It all starts with Dieter, the German-born born owner who created this menagerie of cabins, outhouses, tent spaces and, of course, the unique bathhouse. Dieter came come off as gruff, but I think it’s cultural thing. I liked him.||The showers are gender specific and can be locked for privacy, if you wish. You have to heat your own water for your shower, unless someone has already done it.||Cabins are basic, beats sleeping i the rain and our with two bunk beds was $50.||We met other adventure motorcyclists and folks from Germany and UK.||It is on the opposite side of the Yukon River from Dawson City, but is is adjacent to the ferry, which now runs 24/7.

Morgan Dumkee

Rented a cabin overnight since all the hotels in Dawson were booked. The cabins are very bare-bones, just four walls and a roof, no lights, no power, no heat, no water, though there is drinking water available in the campsite. The mattresses aren't thick, but they are still much more comfortable than sleeping in a van or a tent. The campsite was nice and quiet, though I expect people in tents were hearing the ferry all night. You can buy some food and drinks at the main office.

Lianne Quirke

5 stars for character! If you are looking for luxury then this isn't the place for you, if you're looking for something unique and inexpensive I recommend staying here. We camped and were welcomed by Dieter, super friendly, the place has a wood burning sauna with hot water to shower which after a week of travelling was an awesome experience. Due to Covid we pretty much had the grounds to ourselves!