Activities

This is a list of suggested activities only and none are associated with NAOC 2018. This list does not constitute an endorsement.

The Yukon has a rich heritage blending First Nations culture dating back millennia with the more recent influx of European influences. The Klondike Gold Rush of 1898 and the building of the Alaska Highway during the Second World War are highlights of recent history.

Add large tracts of wilderness and stunning vistas and you have a recipe for a holiday to remember. The mystique of the Yukon can be found in the writings of Jack London and Robert Service, but come and see it for yourselves!

Tourism Information

For ideas on what to see and do around Whitehorse, check out the Whitehorse page at yukoninfo.com.

Information on tourist destinations and accommodation in the Yukon are available at www.travelyukon.com (aussi en Français) and www.yukoninfo.com.

Suggested Itineraries

There are numerous opportunities for adventure travel and recreation in the Yukon. Here are a few that we would like to suggest:

Road Trips

Recreational Vehicle rentals are available from Fraserway RV and CanaDream. There are numerous car rental outlets as well.

Dawson City

Dawson City was a thriving and populous city during the height of the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush. The latest fashions from Paris were available and gold dust was common currency. Try your hand at goldpanning on Free Claim #6 or try your luck gambling at Diamond Tooth Gerties, Canada's oldest casino.

Top of the World Highway

If you drive west from Dawson City, you can drive the Top-of-the-World Highway into Alaska. This summer-only road is the northernmost route between the Yukon and Alaska. It takes you through Chicken, Alaska, to Tok on the Alaska Highway from where you can return to Whitehorse via Beaver Creek, Destruction Bay, Burwash Landing, and Haines Junction. The return journey also takes you past Kluane National Park.

Dempster Highway

Travelling north from Dawson City on the Dempster Highway, after about 70km you'll come to Tombstone Territorial Park. There's a government campground there, which makes a good base for the wonderful hiking in the area. Sila Sojourns is offering a guided hiking trip in the Park (August 26–31, 2018).

Driving further north, you pass through the unglaciated Ogilvie Mountains to the Arctic Circle. Taking the road further will bring you to Fort McPherson and Inuvik on the mighty MacKenzie River delta.

A newly constructed road connects Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk, or Tuk as it is known locally, where you can dip your foot in the Arctic Ocean and see pingos (upthrust ice-cored hills).

Skagway/Haines Loop

A beautiful sky-to-sea trip is to travel the loop around Whitehorse, Skagway and Haines. Allow two to three days for the trip to allow you to see some of the sights along the way. The trip gives you the opportunity to drive over both the White Pass (to Skagway) and the Haines Pass (to Haines), both spectacular. The trip between Skagway and Haines is done on the Alaska Marine Highway (coastal ferry). When timing your journey by ferry, keep in mind that Alaska is one hour behind Yukon (Pacific) Time.

You can combine this loop with a trip on the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway.

The Chilkoot Trail

Retrace the steps of the Gold Rush! The Chilkoot trail was the most popular route into the Yukon during the winter of 1897-98. The trail starts in Dyea, Alaska, a few kilometres from Skagway, and terminates at Bennett Lake, Yukon. Both the American and Canadian sections of the trail are now parks. You'll experience numerous climatic zones, from the rain forest of coastal Dyea, to the alpine of the pass itself, to the boreal forest on the Canadian side. Pre-booking is recommended and opens in January. This backpacking trip is popular, so book early. Information on making reservations, fees, and travel information is available from Parks Canada. Additional information is available from the US Parks Service.

Along The Chilkoot Trail Along the Chilkoot Trail

White Pass and Yukon Route Railway

The Whitepass and Yukon Route Railway was built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush. This narrow gauge railroad is an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, a designation shared with the Panama Canal, the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty. The WP&YR railway was considered an impossible task but it was literally blasted through the mountains in only 26 months. Excursions are based out of Skagway, some going as far as Carcross, Yukon. It's possible to travel between Whitehorse and Skagway via bus and train.

White Pass & Yukon Route

Kluane National Park

Kluane National Park covers 22,000 square km and contains the world's largest non-polar ice field. It is also home to Canada's tallest mountain, Mt. Logan (5959m). Parks Canada has information on hiking opportunities with trailheads along the Alaska Highway and the Haines Highway.

If you are seeking greater adventure, transport into the Park interior is available via ski-equipped aircraft operated by Icefield Discovery. Glacier tours/overflights are also available from Trans North Helicopter and Kluane Glacier Air Tours out of Haines Junction.

Kluane National Park

Hiking

In Whitehorse, the Millennium Trail is an easy loop, while the Yukon River Loop Trail is a more lengthy hike. Both can be started from downtown Whitehorse or from Robert Service Campground.

A good summary of hiking opportunities all around the Yukon can be found at yukonhiking.ca.

When planning hiking adventures, please be mindful of the Embargoed Areas.

Hiking

Canoeing And Kayaking

There is an abundance of rivers and lakes in the Whitehorse area, making for opportunities for a short half day paddle to multi-day river expeditions. A popular trip is to travel by canoe down the Yukon River from Whitehorse to Dawson City. Canoe and kayak rentals, and guided and self-guided trips are available from Kanoe People and Up North Adventures.

Another possibility includes rafting the Tatshenshini River with Tatshenshini Expediting or Nahanni River Adventures.

Canoeing

Yukon Wildlife Preserve

See a variety of northern wildlife in their natural habitat at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve. The preserve is a 25 minute drive north of town and is located just down the road from the Takhini Hot Pools and Hot Springs Campground and Hostel.

Yukon Wildlife Preserve

How Long Is The Day In Mid-August?

The following table shows local times (PDT) in Whitehorse. Note that the days get shorter rapidly this time of year — over five minutes of daylight are lost each day!

DateAugust 17
Sunrise6:16 am
Sunset9:50 pm
Daylength15:33:24
Civil TwilightStart5:24 am
End10:41 pm
Nautical TwilightStart4:06 am
End11:57 pm
Source: timeanddate.com

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