This vast wilderness territory on Canada’s west coast is over three times the size of England with a population less than that of a middle-England town. That’s a lot of space for adventurous travellers to get lost in… figuratively of course. Immortalised by Jack London’s 1903 novel “Call of the Wild”, and known for the infamous Klondike Gold Rush in the last 19th century, the Yukon is a place to fall in love with. There is no mass tourism, no luxury hotels, no huge tour buses. Instead deserted highways, towering snow-capped mountains, sweeping glaciers, free-roaming wildlife and very fresh air are what you’ll find plus a smattering of colourful cities and locals full of character.
From the contrasting shades of Emerald Lake to dramatic aurora displays over the Yukon Valley, head off the beaten track and discover some of the Yukon’s most incredible views showcasing the wild beauty of Canada’s north west.
1. Kluane National Park
Understanding your place in the universe is a feeling you may have many times while travelling through the Yukon and never more so than when gazing across the endless glaciers and flood plains of Kluane National Park and Reserve. Sitting adjacent to Tatshenshini-Alsek National Park in British Columbia and Wrangell-St Elias and Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska, the three combine to form the largest protected area in North America and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The sheer size of the area is breathtaking.
Boasting Canada’s highest peaks including Mt Logan – the highest, Kluane is one of the world’s last unspoiled wilderness regions. As Head of Product, Liz, notes “the best way, without a doubt, to gain an understanding of the sheer scale of Kluane is on a sightseeing flight”. Take a fixed wing flight from Haines Junction and peer down at a pristine world where bears, moose, Dall sheep, wolves and caribou roam free.
Read more about Liz’s adventure: Exploring the Yukon: Tombstones and Glaciers
2. Dempster Highway
If the open road meandering through dramatic tundra and reaching towards mountain peaks in the distance sounds like your kind of road trip, then the Dempster Highway is a road you should travel. No traffic lights, no congestion, just 740 kilometres of unpaved adventure. This well-maintained gravel road starts just north of Dawson City stretching into the Arctic Circle to Inuvik in the Northwest Territories. A little over 100km along the highway, Tombstone Territorial Park is a standout highlight of the journey.
With only a handful of designated stops along the route, load up with supplies and head off on a true wilderness drive full of scenic vistas.
3. Tombstone Territorial Park
The aptly-named ‘Tombstone Territorial Park’ features imposing black granite peaks rising from a vast sub-arctic tundra landscape. Boasting a unique landscape, permafrost landforms, multiple hiking trails and never ending views, it is the perfect place to really be at one with nature and experience near solitude. If you like a coffee with your view, pack a thermos. Tombstone is pure wild, untouched nature.
Canada Travel Specialist, Lauren, fell in love with the Yukon on her first visit. “As I looked out over Tombstone Territorial Park I knew the Yukon had stolen my heart. The fall colours were burnt orange and red, the clouds were rolling in and the air was crisp. I didn’t want to be anywhere else.”
4. Aurora Borealis
Much of the pristine wilderness and big skies of the Yukon sit under the auroral oval – the geographic area encompassing latitudes between 60 and 75 degrees where the northern lights are most commonly seen. This perfect combination of minimal artificial light and northerly latitude makes the Yukon a hotspot for aurora sightings in autumn and winter.
Stay in a cosy lakeside lodge surrounded by stunning snow-covered scenery. Hit the trail by snowmobile or on foot (snowshoes optional) with the prospect of a magical light show at night.
Canada Travel Specialist, Rosie recommends visiting at this time of year. “Winter in the Yukon offers so much and is a unique Canadian experience. You can immerse yourself in beautiful wilderness with fun activities like dog-sledding topped off with the chance to catch a glimpse of the magical northern lights”
It is the very fact that the northern lights don’t perform on command that makes this spectacle so special, but if to increase your chances, plan to visit in winter 2025/26 as Solar Cycle 25 reaches its peak!
5. Emerald Lake
Found on the South Klondike Highway near Carcross, Emerald Lake is one of many gem-coloured glacial lakes in the Yukon. Just to the north of the border with British Columbia, the ease of access makes this a popular photo stop on a road trip. The graduated green framed by fir trees is mesmerising.
6. Wildlife
The Yukon is 80% wilderness allowing for an abundance wildlife. Pikas, marmots, elks, caribou, porcupines, Dall sheep, bears and moose are just some of the creatures you might encounter. There are a lot of moose in the Yukon. Two for every human in fact. Bears are plentiful too, though with so much space to roam, sightings can be elusive. Keep your eyes peeled on a free-roaming road trip, or head into the wilderness on a hiking adventure and you may be rewarded with spontaneous wildlife encounters to remember.
7. Colourful Dawson City
Forever synonymous with the Klondike Gold Rush, Dawson City is a colourful slice of living history where you can still pan for gold. Sitting on the edge of the Yukon River and framed rugged mountains, it was the capital the the Yukon during its golden heyday. Walking down the main street is like walking onto the film set of a Western, the brightly painted clapboard buildings a physical manifestation of the city’s vibrant character. It’s hard to believe people live and work behind these picturesque facias, but they do. The locals are intensely proud of their pioneering heritage and everywhere you go memorabilia stands testament to the epic 1897-99 gold rush.
Dawson City made an impression on Canada Travel Specialist, Doug. “This quirky little city is a fantastic mix of incredible history and charm. The restaurants, hotels and bars all keep the original features of the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush. Whilst there you have to visit the Downtown Hotel for a Sour Toe Cocktail – an experience not found anywhere else!”
Dawson features in one of Canada’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Tr’ondëk-Klondike recognises the historical impact of the colonial settlers during the Gold Rush on the indigenous people of this area, the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in. A collection of sites showcase how indigenous culture coexists with the Gold Rush legacy.
Reached by regular scheduled flights, this once raucous settlement is a uniquely charming place to stay.
Feeling inspired?
If you’d like to explore the Yukon’s wild grandeur for yourself, browse our collection of holidays including our new 4-night Yukon Hiking Adventure, which can be added in to a longer tailor-made itinerary. Get in touch with our Canada Travel Specialists on 01737 214 250 or send an enquiry and start planning your adventure.
Blog originally published in January 2017.