Klondike gold rush hopefuls lined the Chilkoot Trail pass on their journey to the Yukon's goldfields in the late 1890s. (National Archives of Canada/E.A.Hegg)

In an effort to lure more visitors to the North's historic Chilkoot Trail, Parks Canada may add a few creature comforts to appeal to aging baby boomers.

The rugged 53-kilometre trail between Alaska and the Yukon — a First Nations trading route made famous during the Klondike gold rush of the 1890s — usually takes hikers three to five days to complete.

They need to carry everything they need on their backs, including food, clothing and tents, much as the Klondike stampeders did as they rushed to the Yukon goldfields between 1896 and 1898.

Ten years ago about 3,000 hikers per year walked the trail, but that has dropped to about 2,000 annually, said Bob Lewis, superintendent of the national historic site.

"People are aging. We're finding that people are looking for more amenities when they travel," Lewis said. "They're looking for an easier time of it than hiking for three or four days along a long trail that's fairly rocky and challenging."

The idea of sleeping in a tent in bear country may also deter potential visitors, he said.

One idea under consideration is adding cabins or wall-tents for accommodation, he said.

Parks Canada may also allow motorized access so visitors could go in just for the day, rather than commiting to a multi-day hike, he said.

"For our program, which believes Canadians need to gain a knowledge and appreciation of our past, they have to experience these sites," he said.

There are no changes planned to the winter policy of allowing motorized access on designated weekends only, which seems to have stopped conflict between snowmobilers and cross-country skiers, he said.