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Yukon Territory

This vast and thinly populated wilderness, where most four-legged species far outnumber humans, has a grandeur and beauty only appreciated by experience. Few places in the world today have been so unchanged over the course of time. Aboriginal people, having eked out survival for thousands of years, hunt and trap as they always have. The Klondike Gold Rush of 1898 was the Yukon's high point of population, yet even its heritage is ephemeral, easily erased by time.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Klondike National Historic Sites

Dawson City

It's easy to relive the gold rush at myriad preserved and restored places. Parks Canada runs walking tours through the day that allow access to various…

SS Klondike National Historic Site

Carefully restored, this was one of the largest stern-wheelers used on the Yukon River. Built in 1937, it made its final run upriver to Dawson in 1955 and…

Dredge No 4

The scarred valleys around Dawson speak to the vast amounts of toil that went into the gold hunt. Most emblematic is Bonanza Creek, where gold was first…

Jack London Museum

In 1898 Jack London lived in the Yukon, the setting for his most popular stories, including Call of the Wild and White Fang. At the writer's cabin there…

Kluane Museum

Commune with an enormous, albeit stuffed, moose at the excellent Kluane Museum. Enjoy intriguing wildlife exhibits and displays on natural and Indigenous…

Bonanza Creek Discovery Site

Some 1.5km up the valley from Dredge No 4, this national historic site is roughly where gold was first found in 1896. It's a quiet site today with a…

MacBride Museum of Yukon History

This is the Yukon's pre-eminent museum, preserving and presenting the Yukon's history since 1952. Recently expanded, the museum offers a comprehensive…

Teslin Tlingit Heritage Center

On the shores of beautiful Teslin Lake, 5km north of Teslin, this cultural center greets visitors with five totem poles and features exhibits of modern…

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Latest stories from Yukon Territory

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Jan 22, 2020 • 5 min read

Canada is synonymous with canoes. These open boats shaped the nation's history, and now they allow modern-day adventurers to explore remote and wild areas.

Oct 18, 2019 • 6 min read

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Yukon: The Ultimate Travel Guide

Yukon travel guide.

Latest News & Articles > Activities > Attractions > Destinations > Local Experts/ Operators > Traavel Deals > Bucketlist Experiences >

Exploring Canada’s North: Yukon Territory

Travel to the Yukon and experience the most wide open and awe inspiring wilderness you’ve ever imagined.   The Yukon is Canada’s North and our version of Alaska.  Yukon is home to a spread of untouched lakes, rivers and mountains so vast you could never possibly explore it all in one lifetime.  

Our Yukon travel guide helps you find the best things to do in the Yukon, including the best hikes, camping trips, trip itineraries and of course, the best places to eat, drink and stay.  

The Yukon is one of the most undiscovered adventure destinations in Canada, with a distinct lack of crowds and more than enough wilderness to keep you up to your ears in exploration and new discoveries.  

Endless rivers make the Yukon a canoe tripper’s paradise, following the paddle strokes of explorers long ago as they made their names or went bust in the Klondike Gold Rush.  The Yukon saw it’s heyday a hundred and thirty years ago when gold was discovered along the Klondike River.  During those times business flourished and towns were full of bright eyed and sore backed prospectors by day, and the can-can shows and gambling halls were full by night.  

Nowadays you can retrace the paths taken by these early explorers, venturing over White Pass and the Chilkoot Trail, or paddling down the Yukon River from Whitehorse to Dawson City. 

Several massive mountain ranges make for some of the best hiking in the Yukon, including the Tombstone Mountain trek, the Chilkoot trail and several backpacking routes in Kluane National Park. 

Check back on our Yukon travel guide for the latest deals and inspiration on some of the best wilderness adventures.  

Latest News and Articles

How To: A Viewer’s Guide to Seeing the Northern Lights In Canada

Mar 15, 2021 | Blog , Yukon

How and where to see the northern lights in Canada. A complete viewer’s guide to the aurora borealis.

Top Adventures & Activities in Yukon

Hiking in the Yukon is the adventure of a lifetime with massive mountain ranges, open ridges and unbeatable glacier views.  Use our Yukon travel guide to help you plan your hiking trip in the Yukon. 

An endless supply of Yukon Parks frontcountry campgrounds and a lifetime’s worth of backcountry camping opportunities lie in the Yukon, waiting to be discovered by you!  Our Yukon travel guide will help you choose the best places to camp! 

With far more rivers than highways, this place was made for adventure canoers.  Explore deep in the wilderness, moving around the same way people have for thousands of years.

Mountain Biking

The Yukon is home to a quickly growing mountain biking scene.  Ride along open panoramic ridges with some of the best trails.  Learn more in our Yukon travel guide. 

When the river gets too wild to canoe it’s time to raft!  Explore deep in the land of ice by raft, or enjoy a thrilling day on some of Yukon’s most exciting rivers! 

• Wildlife Viewing

Use our Yukon Travel Guide to discover some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities.  From wildlife preserves to areas teeming with cariboo, moose and mountain goats, the Yukon is home to a rich diversity of wildlife. 

Wine & Beer Tasting

The Yukon may not be the ideal wine growing region but they sure do beer well!  Use our travel guide to plan some of the best hiking and brewery combinations! 

With a multitude of large lakes, rushing rivers and undisturbed wilderness, Yukon is a fisherman’s paradise.  Cast your rod out on the rivers and see what lies beneath the surface for you! 

Snowshoeing & XC Skiing

Expansive open areas with simple terrain make for some of the best snowshoeing on the planet.  Dsicover new terrain you couldn’t access in summer, or head out on your favourite hikes with the snow! 

Yukon’s Top Parks & Attractions

Kluane National Park

The towering mountains of the Wrangell St Elias range meet their match with some of the world’s largest icefields in Kluane National Park.  Come here for some of the best mountain hiking in the yukon and some of the most beautiful lakes! 

Yukon River

The Yukon is not only a highway for canoers to travel across the massive territory, treasuring the heritage of the Klondike Gold Rush, but also one of the most fun and beautiful canoe routes in Canada. 

Tombstone Territorial Park

Tombstone Territorial Park is a sacred land of rugged mountains and prolific wildlife.  This is the home of the Tombstone Mountain Trek, as well as many other amazing day hikes. 

Ivvavik National Park

Ivvavik National Park means “birthplace”, referring to the precious mating grounds of the northern cariboo herds.  This is the perfect mix of dramatic tundra scenery and wildlife, with the Arctic Ocean as a backdrop. 

The Best Places To Visit In The Yukon

Yukon's Hub

Whether you’re here to strike it rich or explore some untamed wilderness, you can’t visit the Yukon without spending some time in the capital city and we know you will enjoy it!

Dawson City

Home of the klondike goldrush.

Dawson City might sound like a small place, but it’s got more personality than you could ever imagine.  Visit Dawson City and you will be surprised how quickly you find yourself in a gambling hall, saloon or taking part in a can-can show!

Haines Junction

Gateway to kluane.

Haines Junction is just a short trip from Whitehorse and the perfect base to explore Kluane National Park from.  Haines Junction is one of the best places to stay in the Yukon.

Local Adventure Experts In Yukon

Activity Type

• Biking/ Cycling
• Skiing & Snowboarding

Fresh Adventures

Current travel deals and special offers in yukon, getting to and around the yukon:, driving in yukon:.

Have you heard Yukon’s expression “larger than life”?  Well they weren’t joking, and this applies to driving in Yukon as well.  The places are all very far apart, with not a lot of stops in between, so the highways are long.  Be preapared for a variety of conditions at any time of year. 

The frost heaves the road, making for a bumpy ride, so make sure you are never going to fast to maintain control if you hit some weird bumps along the way!  

The Dempster Highway is unpaved and the Calcium Carbonate road material tends to give you a flat tire if you drive too fast.  Keep your speed below 80 km/h and make sure you have a spare! 

Top of the World Highway is absolutely beautiful, and also long and bumpy.  Make sure you plan your gas stops accordingly, and having an extra gas can isn’t the worst idea.  

Flying To and Around  Yukon:

You can fly into Whitehorse International Airport (YXY), with connecting flights from Calgary and Vancouver.  There are flights scheduled each day that arrive and depart.  Some airlines only offer flights on certain days, so it can help to plan two one-way flights to make sure you get the dates you prefer. 

Sometimes the best way to access distant attractions in the Yukon is by air.  You can charter a floatplane from Whitehorse or most areas with a small regional airport.  This is also a great way to venture out and do some sightseeing of the mountains and icefields! 

Yukon Travel Information

When are the best times to go to the yukon.

Being far north, inland and mountainous means that Yukon is subject to fairly extremem winter conditions for much fo the year, but don’t be fooled!  It’s not hard to find balmy summer weather here and you might be surprised to know that the summer days can get over 30 degrees Celcius.  

Spring comes a tad later in the Yukon than futher south, and fall comes a bit earlier too.  You can expect to have nice summer weather from the end of May to mid September.  

If you come towards the end of August the nights are colder, which keeps the bugs at bay. 

It’s popular to visit in time for the summer solstice, where you can see the sun just touch the horizon and never set.  If you come at the end of August and later you have a decent chance of seeing the northern lights.  

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16 Best Towns and Places in Yukon

Yukon Territory is a thinly populated wilderness, home to Canada’s tallest mountains and the world’s largest ice fields below the Arctic. It’s the place where animals outnumber humans. Tiny towns, villages, and unique places in Yukon are scattered across the land, but they are wide and far apart.

Yukon residents have inhabited these regions for generations and many of Yukon’s communities have a majority of Aboriginal populations. Locals are welcoming to tourists and like to share their traditions.

Best Towns and Places In Yukon To Visit

Facts about towns and places in yukon.

There are long distances between towns in Yukon Territory but most communities can be reached by road all year round. Many roads and highways are gravel . Therefore, make sure your car and tires are up to traversing the Yukon roads. Please do your research and be prepared before heading out. Read more:  Road Trip Planner for the Wilderness

Table of Contents

Towns and places in Yukon are so different from the rest of Canada. I’m sure that it has to do with the Northern people that make visiting the Yukon towns and places so special.

Old Crow is another tiny place in Yukon that should be included on this list. You need to fly or charter a boat to get to Old Crow during summer, so I have not visited it yet. Once I do, I will add Old Crow to this list.

16 Best Towns and Places In Yukon To Visit

1. dawson city.

Dawson City just has to be on top of my list. If you haven’t been to Dawson yet then of course you have no idea what you have missed. When you first arrive it is like stepping into another world. A world that has gone by a long time ago. Still, in Dawson City, the Klondike theme is fully alive today.

As you wander the dusty streets of Dawson, keep your eyes peeled.  You might run into your favourite Gold Rush star you watched on the Discovery Channel. Discovery Channel’s Gold Rush TV show is filmed in the Klondike.

There is plenty to do and see in Dawson City and the surrounding area.

• Dawson City Travel Guide
• Klondike Highway Travel Guide

Bucket List Dawson City:

• Take a self-guided tour of Dawson and its historic sites.
• Check out my Dawson City Travel Guide for more.

Access: Via North Klondike Highway

2. Tombstone Territorial Park

Tombstone Territorial Park is a magical wilderness wonderland of rugged peaks and Arctic Tundra. If you make the effort of getting there and do some hiking, this place will stick in your memory forever.

When driving the Dempster, plan at least an overnight stop at the park. If you are skipping the Dempster Highway to Inuvik , take a drive to Tombstone when you’re in Dawson City. You not only will discover an amazing place, but you also will get a taste of driving the iconic Dempster.

• A Guide to Tombstone Territorial Park
• Dempster Highway – Road Trip to the Arctic

Bucket list Tombstone:

• Pull into Tombstone Interpretive Center for maps, permits, and info.
• Stay at the Tombstone Mountain Campground.
• Enjoy the short hikes near the campground or head out for a longer trek in the area.

Access: Via Dempster Highway

Mayo is a small town on the Silver Trail and on the Stewart River and is known as the coldest and hottest spot in Yukon.

It’s a special place where I got to experience the local hospitality firsthand and enjoyed a great day on the River. During that trip, one of many highlights was a mother bear with two cubs swimming to shore. No good picture to brag about, unfortunately.

Visit the Binet House and Interpretive Centre for information on local history.

Read more: Silver Trail Travel Guide

Bucket List Mayo:

• Visit the Binet House Interpretive Centre.
• Take a self-guided walking tour.
• Spend time at Gelena Park at the riverfront and enjoy the view.
• Check whether Mike’s Snack bar is open.

Access: Via The Silver Trail

4. Keno City

You will reach Keno City, a weathered collection of wooden buildings at the remote end of The Silver Trail. Keno City is the smallest community in the Yukon but has one of the most colourful histories. I visited this magical place a few times and I want to go back.

• Keno City Yukon – The End Of The Silver Trail
• Silver Trail Travel Guide
• Memorable Moral Mushroom near Keno

Bucket List Keno City:

• Visit the Mining Museum.
• Meet Mike Mancini at Keno’s famed Snackbar.
• Drive up to Keno Hill Signpost.
• Hike up Sourdough Mountain.

5. Pelly Crossing

Pelly Crossing became a settlement when the Klondike Highway was built in 1950. A ferry transported people and vehicles across the Pelly River, where the road eventually continued to Dawson City.

The Heritage Center at Pelly Crossing is housed in a replica of Fort Selkirk’s Big Jonathan House. The Centre has a permanent exhibition of works by local artists, locally made beaded clothing, birch bark baskets, traditional baby bunting bags, tools, and more.

Pelly Crossing is a friendly Northern Community and the Selkirk First Nation people are happy to see tourists stopping by. They also have one of the best free campgrounds where I have stopped many times.

Read more: Klondike Yukon Travel Guide

Bucket List Pelly Crossing:

• Stop at the Big Johnathan House next to the Selkirk Centre.
• Spend a night at the Pelly River Crossing Campground
• Enjoy the hospitality of this small community.

Access: North Klondike Highway

6. Carmacks

The small village of Carmacks is the home of the Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation. The river town is named for George Washington Carmack, credited with the Bonanza Creek strike that triggered the famous Klondike gold rush.

Pick up a walking tour brochure at the Carmacks Visitor Centre at the Old Telegraph Office, or download here . The Telegraph Office also contains a mini-museum and a display of area geology.

Bucket List Carmacks:

• Stop in at the Tagé Cho Hudän Interpretive Centrer. 
• Walk the boardwalk along the river and learn Klondike history by checking out the interpretive signs.

Faro, on the Pelly River, is one of the two settlements along the Campbell Highway. You will find yourself deep into Yukon’s wild landscape on the way there. Faro once was the Yukon’s largest mining community.

Today, Faro is a delightful friendly community that makes a genuine effort to make visitors feel welcome.

Upon arrival, stop in at the beautiful Visitor and Interpretive Centre, meet the friendly staff and pick up information about the area.

Read more: Robert Campbell Highway Route

Bucket List:

• Stop in at the visitor and Interpretive Centre, where you also have WiFi access.
• Go and explore the great hiking trails.

Access: Via Robert Campbell Highway 4

8. Ross River

Ross River, where one of the Hudson’s Bay trading posts was established in the 1840s, is another small community on the Campbell Highway wilderness route.

With the building of the Canol pipeline service road in WWII and the completion of the Robert Campbell in 1843 Ross River was linked to the rest of the Territory by road.

It’s an interesting small town to explore. Definitely head down to Pelly River to walk across the longest Suspension Bridge in the Yukon (182 m) that takes you to North Canol Road.

On the way to Ross River you will pass deepwater lakes, mountain views, and roadside streams full of Arctic grayling.

Read more: Campbell Highway Route

Bucket List Ross River:

• Walk across Canol Road Suspension Bridge.
• Wander around town to see old buildings and artifacts.

Access: Via Robert Campbell Highway

9. Watson Lake

Watson Lake is a typical road town, long and narrow, spread out along the Alaska Highway. The town came into life as a staging area for the construction of the Alaska Highway in 1943.

Wander around the famous Watson Lake Signpost Forest and search for a sign of home town or country. Watson Bay is also the perfect base for exploring the backcountry beyond the town. It’s also a good place to stock up on supplies before heading out on the Campbell Highway route.

• Campbell Highway Route
• Alaska Highway Travel Guide

Bucker List Watson Lake:

• Don’t miss a visit to the Northern Lights Centre.
• Walk the trail at Wye Lake Park.
• If you are in town in July, stay for the annual Watson Lake rodeo.

Access: Via Alaska Highway

The village of Teslin is the home to the Tlingit First Nation, one of the largest places in Yukon Territory. Many here still add to their livelihood by trapping, fishing, and hunting, as well as through woodworking crafts, such as canoes, snowshoes, and sleds.

Teslin Tlingit Heritage Centre features exhibits of Tlingit art, traditional demonstrations, and workshops.

Stop in at the George Johnston Museum to learn about John Johnston, whom the museum was named after, and about the area’s history.

Read more: Alaska Highway Travel Guide

Bucket List Teslin:

• Visit the George Johnston Museum.
• Visit the Teslin Heritage Centre.
• Stop at the Nisutlin Bay Bridge viewpoint for a great view.
• Putter along the beautiful beach on a long hot summer evening.
• Check with friendly villagers about boat rentals and guide services.

11. Carcross

This tiny town is a place you don’t want to miss. It’s a place full of First Nation and Gold Rush history taking you back in time.

Check out the Railway Station built in 1910. The Cariboo Hotel is one of the oldest buildings in the Southern Lake Region. Stop in at the Matthew Watson General Store. There is so much to see and do in this unique small Yukon town.

• Carcross and surrounding Area Guide
• Klondike Highway Yukon Travel Guide

Bucket List Carcross:

• Take a walking tour of the town.
• Visit the old cemetery.
• Ride the historic White Pass and Yukon Route Railway to Skagway, Alaska.
• Plan to trek the famed Chilcoot Trail.

Access: South on the Klondike Highway 2

12. Carcross Sand Dunes

Carcross, Desert, known as the world’s smallest desert is a must-stop. Here you can climb sand dunes surrounded by majestic mountains. The sand dunes are leftovers from a glacial lake, but the climate is too humid for it to be an ‘official’ desert.

Read more: Carcross and Surrounding Area Guide

Bucket List Carcross Sand Dunes:

• Walk up the hill, enjoy the fine sand and enjoy the amazing views.

13. Whitehorse

Located on the shores of the Yukon River, Whitehorse was once a sleepy village of 500. Not anymore. Today, as Yukon’s capital city, it is a fascinating place with a mixture of modern and pioneer spirit. There is plenty to do here. Stay a few days in Whitehorse and get to know its unique northern character and appeal.

Read more: Whitehorse Travel Guide

Bucket List Whitehorse:

14. Haines Junction

The highway community of Haines Junction is nestled at the base of the St. Elias Mountains, surrounded by breathtaking scenery and amazing landscapes. Home to approximately 800 residents, “the Junktion” offers a wilderness adventure playground right in its backyard.

Here you find restaurants and accommodations, guides and a large selection of tours, and whatever other services you need. The huge Kluane Park Visitor Reception Centre is open all year round and its staff can supply you with heaps of information.

Bucket List Haines Junction:

• Stop in at the Kluane Park Visitor Centre.
• Visit the uniquely designed Roman Catholic Church and Anglican Church made of logs. 
• Visit the famous Bakery.
• Take a day-trip hiking excursion.
• Rafting, canoeing, glacier flights, hunting, and fishing, that’s the place to do it.

15. Kluane National Park and Reserve

Kluane National Park and Reserve in the southwestern corner of the Yukon Territory contains Mt. Logan (5959 m/19,545 ft), Canada’s highest peak. Kluane is joined by Wrangell-St. Elias, Glacier Bay, and Tatshenshini, the parks that make up this World Heritage Site. Here you also find some of North America’s finest wildlife population.

Hiking is Kluane’s most popular activity. Opportunities range from short strolls to multi-day route-finding adventures. Whether you get out for an hour, a day, or a week, there is much to explore in Kluane.

Trailheads can be difficult to get to without a vehicle since there is no public transportation.

Bucket List Kluane Park:

• Plan some hiking excursions.
• Book a flightseeing tour for the best view.

Access: Alaska Highway

16. Burwash Landing

One of the oldest settlements in the Yukon, Burwash Landing is now home to the Kluane First Nation a Southern Tutchone people who have lived in the Kluane area for countless generations. Before the Jacquot brothers built a trading post in the early 1900s, the current site of Burwash Landing was a traditional summer camp location for the First Nation people.

Following the construction of the Alaska Highway, Burwash became the administrative centre for the Kluane First Nation.

Bucket List Burwash Landing:

• Visit the Kluane Museum of Natural History.
• Make use of the hiking trails in the area.

Let me know in the comments what you think about my collection of the 16 best places in Yukon.

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Yrene lives in the Okanagan, British Columbia, Canada, and is the founder of BackcountryCanadaTravel.com. She was born in Switzerland, lived and worked on different continents and has travelled the world. Yes, that's me, an Entrepreneur, wilderness nut and animal lover who prefers off-the-beaten-track places. I write about things I love. Mostely.

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