Yukon Holidays

Best time to visit Yukon, Canada

The best time to visit the Yukon depends on what you want to do and see.

• Summer (June-August) is the most popular time to visit the Yukon, as the weather is mild and there are many outdoor activities to enjoy, such as hiking, camping, fishing, and canoeing. The days are also very long during the summer, so you can make the most of your time.
• Fall (September-October) is a great time to see the Yukon's fall foliage, which can be spectacular. The weather is still mild during the early fall, but it starts to cool down towards the end of October.
• Winter (November-April) is the coldest time of year in the Yukon, but it is also a beautiful time to visit. The snow-covered landscapes are stunning, and there are many winter activities to enjoy, such as skiing, snowboarding, and dog sledding.
• Spring (May) is a shoulder season in the Yukon, with mild weather and fewer tourists. This is a good time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds and enjoy the Yukon's natural beauty at a more leisurely pace.

No matter what time of year you choose to visit the Yukon, you are sure to have a wonderful time.

Highlights of Yukon

What is Yukon famous for:

• Whitehorse
• Dawson City
• Kluane National Park and Reserve
• Emerald Lake
• Miles Canyon

Swipe left or right to learn more about each destination.

Whitehorse

Yukon’s capital city, Whitehorse, sits proudly between river and mountain and is a great base for your adventure into the wilderness. The city was founded by gold-rush stampeders in 1898 as they made their way up the Yukon River in search of their fortunes, and it was named after the White Horse Rapids nearby. Now it’s a busy city with a friendly, small-town feel, boasting several museums and attractions, a good range of shops and restaurants, and stunning scenery on its doorstep.

With excellent connections, Whitehorse can be easily reached by plane, road or even cruise ship. Its downtown sits on the edge of the Yukon River and is an interesting mix of heritage and modern buildings, housing a good selection of shops, restaurants and services. Of course, one of the prime reasons to visit Whitehorse is for its beautiful, untouched wilderness and you don’t need to go far from the city to see this. The wide range of wildlife to spot includes grizzly bears, and the Yukon Wildlife Preserve to the north of the city also has Canadian animals such as moose, bison, arctic foxes and mountain goats to spot on foot or by car.

During the winter months the days are short and cold but there is still plenty to do, from both downhill and cross country skiing to bathing in the delightful steaming waters of the Takhini Hot Springs. It is also the perfect time to watch out for the mesmerising light shows of the Aurora Borealis.

Dawson City

Dawson City is a historic gold rush town located on the Yukon River in the Canadian territory of Yukon. It is best known for its role in the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 19th century. Dawson City was founded in 1896 and quickly grew to a population of over 40,000 people. The town was a bustling metropolis, with saloons, gambling halls, and brothels lining the streets. Gold miners from all over the world came to Dawson City in search of their fortune. The gold rush ended in 1899, and Dawson City's population declined rapidly. However, the town has retained much of its historic character. Dawson City is a National Historic Site of Canada and is home to a number of museums and historical buildings.

Some of the most popular attractions in Dawson City include:

• The Dawson City Museum: This museum tells the story of the Klondike Gold Rush and the history of Dawson City.
• The Palace Grand Theatre: This historic theatre was built in 1899 and is one of the best-preserved gold rush theatres in the world.
• Bonanza Creek: This creek was the site of the first major gold discovery in the Klondike. Visitors can pan for gold in the creek or take a guided tour of the area.
• The SS Keno: This sternwheeler was used to transport gold and supplies during the Klondike Gold Rush. Visitors can take a tour of the ship and learn about its history.
• The Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Visitor Centre: This centre tells the story of the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in people, the First Nations people who have lived in the Dawson City area for thousands of years.

Dawson City is a great place to visit for its rich history, unique culture, and stunning natural beauty.

Kluane National Park and Reserve

Kluane National Park and Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest national parks in Canada. It is located in the southwest Yukon and is home to some of the highest peaks in North America, including Mount Logan, Canada's highest point. Kluane is also home to a variety of glaciers, lakes, and rivers. The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including bears, wolves, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep.

Kluane National Park and Reserve is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can go hiking, camping, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking in the park. The park also offers opportunities for mountaineering, heli-skiing, and dog sledding.

Some of the most popular attractions in Kluane National Park and Reserve include:

• Donjek Glacier: This glacier is one of the largest in the park and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
• Tatshenshini-Alsek River: This wild river is a popular destination for white-water rafting and kayaking.
• Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve: This preserve is home to thousands of bald eagles during the winter months.
• Moose Pass: This scenic pass offers stunning views of the Saint Elias Mountains.

Kluane National Park and Reserve is a truly remarkable place. It is a world-renowned destination for outdoor enthusiasts and offers visitors the opportunity to experience the stunning natural beauty of the Yukon.

Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake is a beautiful alpine lake located in the southern Yukon. It is known for its crystal-clear water and its stunning emerald green colour. The lake is located on the South Klondike Highway, about 45 minutes from Whitehorse. It is a popular tourist destination, with visitors coming to enjoy the lake's beauty and to go swimming, canoeing, fishing, and hiking in the surrounding mountains.

The lake's emerald green colour is caused by the sunlight reflecting off of white deposits of marl, a mixture of clay and calcium carbonate, at the bottom of the shallow lakebed. The high concentration of calcium carbonate in the water comes from limestone gravels eroded from the nearby mountains and deposited here 14,000 years ago by the glaciers of the last ice age.

In addition to its natural beauty, Emerald Lake is also home to a variety of wildlife, including bears, moose, and deer. Visitors can often see these animals grazing in the meadows and forests surrounding the lake. Emerald Lake is a truly special place. It is a beautiful and peaceful oasis in the heart of the Yukon wilderness. Visitors can enjoy the lake's beauty, go for a swim, or simply relax and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Miles Canyon

Miles Canyon is a historic canyon located just outside of Whitehorse, Yukon. It is known for its stunning scenery, including basalt column walls, the Yukon River, and Miles Canyon Suspension Bridge. Miles Canyon was carved by the Yukon River over millions of years. The basalt columns that line the canyon walls were formed by volcanic eruptions over 8 million years ago. The Yukon River is one of the longest rivers in North America, and it flows through the heart of Miles Canyon. Miles Canyon Suspension Bridge is a 236-meter-long suspension bridge that spans the Yukon River. It was built in 1922 and offers stunning views of the canyon and the surrounding area.

Miles Canyon was once a major transportation route for gold miners during the Klondike Gold Rush. However, the canyon was also known for its dangerous rapids, and many boats were lost in the canyon during the gold rush. Today, Miles Canyon is a popular tourist destination. Visitors can take a guided tour of the canyon, learn about its history, and enjoy the stunning scenery. Visitors can also hike, bike, or fish in the canyon. 

Miles Canyon is a truly special place. It is a beautiful and historic canyon that offers visitors a glimpse into the Yukon's past and present.

Summer/Winter Activities

Yukon is a place where you can push yourself to the limits while on holiday, new experiences are around every corner. The Yukon weather is perfect for viewing the spectacular Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. Best viewed between October and April across the darker skies of winter, they provide a mesmerising show for all those lucky enough to be watching - whether on a guided tour, from a secluded log cabin or simply from your hotel room.

During the winter months the snow-covered landscapes beckon and opportunities to glide down ski-hills or crunch though picturesque snow-shoe trails are endless, with a multitude of cross-country routes to explore. For an experience like no other, travel behind a team of enthusiastic huskies as they hurtle across the snow. Once you have a taste for it, you can stand back and cheer on the teams competing in the famous Yukon Quest sled race. Winter also brings many lively festivals with great events such as snow sculpting, winter sports and live music.

In summertime the days are long, with up to twenty hours of sunshine, and outdoor activities abound. Wherever you stay there are opportunities to explore, from hiking, biking or horse riding across grassy plains between craggy mountains and glaciers, to canoeing or kayaking on glass-like lakes and twinkling rivers. Blow-off the cobwebs with an exhilarating rafting trip or enjoy some quiet time with the local wildlife. In Yukon, moose outnumber people by two to one, so your chances of encountering them, as well as other inhabitants such as grizzly bears, marmots and porcupines, are high!

Swipe left or right to see more.

City life and the surrounding areas

Whitehorse, the province’s largest town by far, has many of its own attractions including the SS Klondike (a historic paddle-wheeler), a good collection of shops and restaurants and a vibrant arts scene. The smaller town of Dawson is also an interesting place to stop. Once the centre of the Gold Rush, it has a rich history and friendly, quirky vibe. Head off on your own search for gold with one of the many tours where you can learn to prospect and pan, and maybe you’ll even strike it rich.

Although the Yukon landscapes are wild, they are surprisingly well connected. The network of roads that wind through the province provide excellent links between the many different attractions and adventures, as well as being scenic drives in themselves. Take the Dempster Highway and drive across the Arctic Circle, or meander along the less travelled Campbell/Canol route beside pretty rivers and the aptly named Quiet Lake, for a real retreat from the everyday bustle. For a different perspective of the province, jump in a flightseeing plane from Haine’s Junction and soar over the mountains and glaciers. You can even land on the icefield and step out onto the endless snow for some fantastic photo opportunities and a chance to enjoy the eerie silence.