Explore Yukon: Northern Lights, Gold Rush History & Epic Wilderness

Welcome to Yukon, a territory where nature roars louder than any city. Located in northwestern Canada, Yukon is a realm of glaciers, grizzly bears, gold rush legends, and northern lights. With its sparse population and vast wilderness, this is where you truly experience Canada’s raw, untouched beauty.
 

Whether you’re following the gold rush trails, dogsledding under the aurora borealis, or hiking through alpine valleys, Yukon is not just a destination—it’s an adventure of a lifetime.

📍 Where is Yukon?

Yukon borders Alaska (USA) to the west, British Columbia to the south, and Northwest Territories to the east. It’s one of Canada's three northern territories, with Whitehorse as its capital and largest city.

Despite its massive size (larger than Germany!), Yukon has fewer than 45,000 residents, making it one of the least populated regions in North America—and one of the most serene.

🏞️ Top Things to Do in Yukon

1. Chase the Northern Lights

From late August to April, the skies over Yukon explode with dancing green and purple auroras.

Best viewed from: Whitehorse, Dawson City, and Kluane National Park

Ideal months: September to March

Tour tip: Book an Aurora viewing lodge or a heated dome for comfort

2. Explore Whitehorse – Yukon’s Capital

A charming and quirky city of around 30,000 people nestled on the banks of the Yukon River.

Must-sees in Whitehorse:

SS Klondike National Historic Site – A massive sternwheeler ship from the gold rush era

Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre – Learn about Ice Age animals and first humans

Takhini Hot Springs – Soak in geothermal pools surrounded by snowy peaks

3. Kluane National Park and Reserve

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Canada’s most epic natural landscapes.

Home to Mount Logan, Canada’s highest mountain (5,959 m)

Massive glaciers, grizzly bears, alpine hiking trails

Activities: Backpacking, flightseeing, rafting, and wildlife photography

4. Drive the Dempster Highway

Canada’s most northern road open to the public.

Runs from Dawson City to the Arctic Ocean

740 km of gravel wilderness road, crossing the Arctic Circle

See tundra, caribou, and Northern villages like Inuvik

Tip: Make sure to have a spare tire and fuel!

5. Visit Dawson City – The Heart of the Klondike Gold Rush

This historic town feels frozen in time.

Wooden sidewalks, saloons, and gold-rush architecture

Visit Dawson City Museum, Jack London’s Cabin, and try your luck panning for gold

Attend the infamous Sourtoe Cocktail challenge at the Downtown Hotel (involves a real mummified toe!)

🧭 Off-the-Beaten-Path Yukon Adventures

🛶 Canoe the Yukon River

Retrace the gold rush route by paddling the legendary Yukon River.

Choose half-day, full-day, or multi-day canoe expeditions

Camp under the stars, cook by fire, and feel like a 19th-century explorer

🐶 Go Dogsledding or Snowmobiling

Winter in Yukon is magical and full of adventure.

Mush your own team of Alaskan Huskies

Join a multi-day sledding expedition or try a few hours

Top places: Whitehorse, Haines Junction, and Carcross

⛺ Sleep in a Wilderness Lodge

Trade hotels for log cabins, yurts, or aurora domes.

Cozy wood stoves and remote locations for perfect stargazing

Great options: Northern Lights Resort, Sundog Retreat, or Sky High Wilderness Ranch

🏞️ Tombstone Territorial Park

Often called the “Patagonia of the North”, this park is pure wilderness bliss.

Jagged mountain peaks, remote valleys, and colorful tundra

Fall colors in September are mind-blowing

Great for hiking, photography, and spotting caribou and foxes

🍽️ What to Eat in Yukon

Food here is rustic, hearty, and influenced by Indigenous and gold rush traditions.

🥘 Yukon Must-Try Foods

Arctic Char – a local fish, delicious grilled or smoked

Bison burgers – lean, rich meat from Yukon’s wild herds

Sourdough pancakes – a nod to gold rush pioneers

Birch syrup – the northern version of maple syrup

Smoked salmon and moose stew – rich and warming

🍺 Recommended Eateries

Klondike Rib & Salmon (Whitehorse) – historic building, Yukon cuisine

Dirty Northern Public House – great for pizza and pints

Midnight Sun Coffee Roasters – top-notch local coffee

BonTon & Company (Dawson City) – elevated northern dining with seasonal flair

🎉 Yukon Festivals & Cultural Events

Despite its small size, Yukon knows how to throw a good party!

🏕️ Signature Events

Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous (February) – Winter carnival with axe throwing and snow sculptures

Dawson City Music Festival (July) – One of Canada's most beloved boutique music fests

Available Light Film Festival (February) – Showcasing northern and Indigenous stories

Adäka Cultural Festival – Celebrating Indigenous art, storytelling, and heritage

🐾 Wildlife in Yukon

Yukon is home to some of North America's most iconic wildlife.

🐻 What You Might See:

Grizzly bears & black bears

Moose, caribou, mountain goats

Wolves, lynx, Arctic foxes

Bald eagles and migratory birds

Tip: Carry bear spray when hiking and know local safety rules.

🌄 When to Visit Yukon?

☀️ Summer (June–August)

20+ hours of daylight

Best for hiking, paddling, festivals, road trips

❄️ Winter (November–March)

Ideal for aurora watching, dogsledding, and snow adventures

🍂 Autumn (September)

Bright tundra colors

Shoulder season pricing, fewer crowds, great wildlife viewing

🛏️ Where to Stay in Yukon

🏨 Hotels & Lodges

Edgewater Hotel (Whitehorse) – Historic charm downtown

Sundog Retreat – Rustic cabins outside of town

Westmark Hotel (Dawson City) – Comfortable base for exploring gold rush sites

🏕️ Wilderness Cabins

Sky High Wilderness Ranch

Northern Lights Resort & Spa

Tombstone Mountain Campground (for hikers)

🚗 Getting to and Around Yukon

✈️ Airports

Whitehorse International Airport (YXY) – With direct flights to Vancouver, Calgary, and Ottawa

Dawson City Airport (YDA) – Small but seasonal connections

🚗 Road Trips

Alaska Highway – Iconic overland route through the Yukon

Klondike Highway – From Skagway, Alaska to Dawson City

Dempster Highway – To the Arctic Ocean!

Tip: Distances are huge—plan fuel stops and carry water & supplies.

📸 Best Photo Spots in Yukon

Tombstone Mountains at sunrise

Northern Lights over Whitehorse

Pegasus Glacier by floatplane

SS Klondike under golden hour

Fall colors on the Dempster Highway

💬 Why Visit Yukon?

Because Yukon is raw, vast, and unforgettable. It’s one of the few places in the world where wild nature rules, and you’re simply a respectful guest. Whether you're standing in a silent forest under the aurora borealis or trekking through glacier valleys, Yukon offers you something rare:

Perspective. Solitude. Wonder.

So come—unplug from the world and reconnect with the wild.