Yukon Holidays 2025 & 2026
Discover the untamed wilderness and frontier spirit of the Yukon on your next holiday. Immerse yourself in pristine national parks, stay in historic gold rush towns and witness the mesmerising Northern Lights dancing across vast northern skies. Experience world-class outdoor adventures like canoeing legendary rivers, hiking through alpine meadows and spotting diverse wildlife in their natural habitat.
Where is the Yukon?
Located in Canada’s northwest corner, the Yukon Territory borders Alaska to the west, British Columbia to the south, and the Northwest Territories to the east. This vast wilderness territory encompasses over 480,000 square kilometres yet is home to fewer than 40,000 people, making it one of North America’s last true frontiers.
What is the best way to travel to the Yukon?
Most international visitors fly into Whitehorse, the territorial capital, with connecting flights from Vancouver, Calgary or Edmonton. The legendary Alaska Highway offers a spectacular driving route from British Columbia for those seeking a true northern road trip adventure.
When is the best time to visit the Yukon?
The summer months of June through August offer long daylight hours (including the famous midnight sun), comfortable temperatures, and full access to attractions and wilderness areas. September brings spectacular autumn colours and the first opportunities to view the Northern Lights. Winter (November-March) offers magical snow-covered landscapes and regular Northern Lights displays, though visitors should be prepared for extreme cold.
How long to spend in the Yukon?
We recommend at least 7 to 10 days to experience the Yukon’s highlights. This allows time to explore Whitehorse, drive the scenic Klondike Highway to historic Dawson City, and venture into magnificent Kluane National Park. With two weeks, you can add more remote destinations like Tombstone Territorial Park or follow the Silver Trail to Mayo and Keno City.
What should you expect from a Yukon holiday?
The Yukon offers a genuine wilderness experience with modern comforts. Expect friendly locals with fascinating frontier stories, uncrowded natural attractions, and a profound sense of space and silence rarely found elsewhere. Wildlife encounters are common, with opportunities to spot bears, moose, caribou, and numerous other species in their natural habitat.
How do you plan a Yukon road trip?
Self-drive holidays are an ideal way to explore the Yukon’s vast landscapes. Our top five scenic driving routes in the Yukon are:
- The Klondike Highway – this historic 535 km route between Whitehorse and Dawson City that follows the path of gold rush stampeders, offering stunning river valleys, mountain passes and gold rush history
- The Dempster Highway – Canada’s only public road to cross the Arctic Circle, this 736 km epic journey traverses multiple mountain ranges and ecological zones to reach Inuvik in the Northwest Territories
- The Alaska Highway – built during WWII, this legendary highway stretches from Dawson Creek, BC to Delta Junction, Alaska, with the Yukon section offering spectacular mountain vistas and wildlife viewing
- The Haines Highway – a 244 km route from Haines Junction to Haines, Alaska, passing through the spectacular St. Elias Mountains and Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park
- The Silver Trail – a less-travelled 112 km route leading to the historic silver mining communities of Mayo and Keno City, offering authentic northern experiences off the beaten path
What wildlife can you see in the Yukon?
The Yukon’s vast wilderness provides habitat for an impressive array of North American wildlife. The territory is home to approximately 70% of Canada’s grizzly bear population, along with black bears, wolves, and wolverines. Massive herds of caribou undertake epic migrations across the tundra, while moose, the Yukon’s official animal, can often be spotted near lakes and wetlands.
Mountain areas are home to Dall sheep, mountain goats, and the elusive lynx, while rivers teem with salmon during seasonal runs. Birdwatchers will delight in spotting over 200 species, including golden eagles, trumpeter swans, and the iconic raven, which is central to many First Nations stories. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the territory, though patience and respect for these wild animals is essential for safe, memorable encounters.
Your Perfect Yukon Holiday
Whether you want to pan for gold in Dawson City’s creeks, hike through the jagged peaks of Tombstone Territorial Park, or simply relax in natural hot springs while watching for the Northern Lights, ask one of our Canada Experts to create a Yukon holiday that fulfils your northern dreams.
Plan your holiday
