When most people think of the Yukon, they think of the Northern Lights and lots of snow. However, Yukon summers are beautiful and are a great time to visit this northern Canadian territory. We recently visited the Yukon Territory in August and are sharing our 4 day Yukon travel guide. If you are looking for the perfect Yukon summer itinerary to get a taste of its natural wonders and midnight sun, read on below!
The Perfect Yukon Travel Guide to Enjoy the Yukon Summer!
Where is the Yukon located?
The Yukon Territory is located in northern Canada on the west coast. It shares a border with BC to the south, Northwest Territories to the east, and Alaska to the west. It is possible to drive from BC to Yukon Territory if you are looking to do an epic road trip, or you can also drive over from Alaska. Otherwise, you can fly into Whitehorse, the territory’s capital city.
What is the Yukon summer temperature?
Yes, it is cold in the north, but the Yukon temperature is pretty pleasant during the summer months from June to August. Expect highs of around 20 degrees Celsius (that’s 68 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day, but prepare for chilly nights with lows of about 8 degrees Celsius (46 degrees Fahrenheit).
Another thing to note in the summer is the weather is very unpredictable and can change real quick, especially with that Arctic wind! That is something we weren’t prepared for. For example, even though the forecast would say a high of 13 degrees, we didn’t take into account the temperature of the cold wind from the mountains which made it feel much colder! Also, summer in the Yukon could mean it’s a high of 25 degrees one day, and then a high of 15 degrees the next.
So, be prepared with lots of layers 🙂
How to get around the Yukon
The Yukon is vast and attractions are spread out so the best way to get around is really by renting a car. Public transportation is available in Whitehorse, but to explore further afield, you’ll need a car. Plus, a Yukon road trip is a highlight of any Yukon summer trip and a must-do!
There are not a lot of rental car options in the Yukon. There are only 3 rental car companies at the Erik Nielsen International Airport (Budget, Driving Force, and Fox) and a few other locations downtown. We decided to go with Budget as they had the best variety of options with the best rates. With such limited options for car rental in the Yukon, it’s best to book online in advance of your trip.
When choosing a car to rent, remember that a lot of the roads are rough, even during the Yukon summer. Even large sections of the highway are unpaved gravel road so it’s best to have at least a small SUV for comfort.
Things to do in Yukon Territory
There is a LOT to see and do, so with only four days in the Yukon during the summer, we’ve fit in as many of the best things to do in the Yukon as we could. From flightseeing, to road tripping, to hanging out with huskies, our Yukon summer itinerary has all the highlights!
Yukon Summer Itinerary Day 1 – Downtown Whitehorse
As most people visiting the Yukon will arrive in Whitehorse, it makes sense to start your Yukon summer trip in the capital city. The city itself is fairly small so it is easily explored in one day.
Where is Whitehorse?
Whitehorse is the Yukon Territory’s capital city and is located in southern Yukon, on the edge of the Yukon River. It is located at Kilometer 1426 of the Alaska Highway, to be exact.
When flying into the Yukon, most will arrive at the Erik Neilsen International Airport in Whitehorse, located only a 5 minute drive from the downtown core.
The location of Whitehorse makes it an ideal base for a Yukon summer trip as you can easily go on daily road trips to other interesting Yukon destinations, such as Carcross and Haines Junction.
Things to Do in Whitehorse
Hike Miles Canyon
The beautiful Miles Canyon is just a 10 minute drive from downtown. We recommend timing out your visit with one of the free guided hikes put on by the Yukon Conservation Society. They offer a two hour gentle guided hike at 2pm Tuesdays-Fridays and 10am and 2pm on Saturdays during the summer months. Check the Yukon Conservation Society website for up-to-date schedules.
You could easily spend a whole day here hiking the many trails. But if you’re short on time or don’t feel like hiking, you can make a quick trip to Miles Canyon to check out the suspension bridge and admire the turquoise rapids below.
Fun fact: If you are a fan of the Amazing Race Canada, this bridge was one of the Pit Stops of the race on Season 2!
Walk the Millennium Trail
The Millennium Trail is the perfect way to get out and admire the Yukon summer scenery right from downtown, and it’s one of the great free things to do in Whitehorse! This 5km flat, paved trail is a scenic loop around both sides of the Yukon River and is a great walk for all abilities! Keep an eye out for beavers by the river and eagles soaring above.
Step back into history on the SS Klondike
After walking the Millennium Trail, stop in at the iconic SS Klondike and learn a bit about Yukon history. This sternwheeler was the largest of the fleet that ran between Whitehorse and Dawson City. Built in the 1930s, the ship has since been meticulously restored by Parks Canada after it was donated, and became a National Historic Site of Canada in 1967.
Tours run daily during the summer months and are free for youth! Adult admission is only $3.90. Check the Parks Canada website for exact times.
The tour starts with a historic video with real footage of the sternwheeler and then you get to explore throughout the ship. I loved seeing all the genuine historic artifacts, like the old luggage and mail bags.
Visit the Museums
For a small city, Whitehorse sure has a lot of great museums! Choose from the comprehensive MacBride Museum of Yukon History located right on the waterfront, or the Yukon Transportation Museum next to the airport. Learn about Yukon First Nations culture at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre, check out one of the oldest buildings in Whitehorse at the Old Log Church Museum, or learn about copper and rail history in the Yukon at the Copperbelt Railway and Mining Museum just five minutes from downtown. Last but not least, check out a full-size replica of a woolly mammoth at the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre, located near the airport.
Admire the Art Murals
Another free thing to do in Whitehorse is walk around and admire the many colorful art murals around downtown. You can see a lot of cool art on the sides of the buildings!
Check out the historic buildings
Explore downtown Whitehorse by foot and check out the numerous historic buildings. Click here for a list with exact addresses.
See the Whitehorse Statue
End your day with a visit to the Whitehorse statue overlooking downtown! Head up Two Mile Hill Road and then turn left onto Range Road and you will find it right by the entrance to the Fire Department building.
Where to eat in Whitehorse
While we didn’t travel to the Yukon for the food, there were surprisingly plenty of good culinary options in Whitehorse! The following were some of our favorites.
Dirty Northern
We ate dinner here on our first night and it seemed like the place to be in Whitehorse! This popular pub has great service and a creative menu. Their pizzas are super yummy and we enjoyed the craft beer.
Baked
This cafe/bakery is located right across from Dirty Northern and is an excellent choice for a laid-back breakfast. We loved the croissants and scones!
Klondike Rib and Salmon
You gotta eat here! Well, according to John Catucci you do, and we would have to agree! For a taste of the Yukon, head to Klondike Rib and Salmon, housed in the oldest operating building in Whitehorse.
We had their house special: ribs and salmon (what else?) for dinner and they were delicious and very filling!
Smoke and Sow
This food truck serves up yummy Southern Style BBQ and can be found at Rotary Park. Located nearby the SS Klondike, it makes an excellent spot to stop in for lunch after a tour!
Yukon Summer Itinerary Day 2 – Haines Junction
Where is Haines Junction?
Haines Junction is a small town/village located about 150km west of Whitehorse, at the junction of the Alaska and Haines Highways, hence the name. This town of about 800 people sits at the edge of the spectacular Kluane National Park, beneath the stunning Saint Elias mountains.
Things to Do in Haines Junction
Flightseeing with Icefield Discovery Tours
To get a feel for just how vast the Kluane National Park and Reserve is, take a flightseeing tour! There are a number of operators in the area, but we chose Icefield Discovery Tours as they are the only ones who actually offer the opportunity to land on the glaciers. Since these are the largest non-polar icefields in the world, we figured it was a must!
Tours are offered only during the summer months (April 1st-September 30th) and start at $300/person for a one hour tour or $375/person for the 1.5 hour tour that includes the glacier landing. Babies are free 😉
Discover the Silver City Ghost Town
Once the home of a little Gold Rush town in the early 1900s, Silver City is now the Yukon’s largest ghost town. About 60km west of Haines Junction, this hidden gem is located very close to the Icefield Discovery Tours air strip, near Km 1636 of the Alaska Highway. You won’t see any signs from the Alaska Highway but follow Google Maps (at the end of this post) and it will show you where to turn off onto a dirt road. When heading west on the highway, you will see a sign for Kluane Bed and Breakfast – this is the road you will want to turn onto. You’ll have to drive about 5km down this dirt road but it’s in fairly good condition.
The town is all private property and is not maintained at all. There is no signage and most of the buildings are badly crumbling or collapsed, so be careful when exploring! At first you may not see many of the buildings from the road, but if you get out and walk in you will be surprised how vast this ghost town is, hidden behind the overgrown bushes.
There was no one else there when we visited so it was a little eerie. I was actually a bit afraid that we might encounter a bear in or behind one of the buildings!
Admire the Wildlife along your Yukon Road Trip
Considering all of Yukon is bear country and there are more moose than people, chances are high that you will encounter some wildlife along your Yukon road trip. The best time to see them is around dawn or dusk so if you want to increase your chances, time your road trip accordingly. If you are lucky, you may just witness a grizzly bear alongside the highway, especially around Kluane Lake!
But remember, stay in your car and give all wildlife lots of space. Use your binoculars and don’t stay too long. Animals that can be seen from the highway are at risk of becoming habituated to people, which can be dangerous to both the animals and people.
Gawk at the Stunning Mountains
Sure, road trips can get monotonous. But not when it’s a road trip around Haines Junction and you are surrounded by endless gorgeous mountains! Seriously, be prepared to stop on the side of the highway a lot because you will be in awe and want to take so many photos!
View Canada’s Tallest Peak
The Kluane region is home to Canada’s highest peak, Mount Logan, standing at 5959 metres. But you’ll have to get on a plane to see it! Take a flightseeing tour to get up close to this stunning mountain.
Not only will you see Canada’s tallest peak, but you’ll also see 17 of the 20 highest mountains in Canada all located within this region.
Explore Kluane National Park
The highlight of any visit to Haines Junction is the massive Kluane National Park and Reserve. Covering 21,980 square kms, it is part of the world’s largest internationally protected area. Featuring Canada’s tallest mountain, the world’s largest non-polar icefields, and a large concentration of grizzly bears, wolves, moose, and Dall sheep, to name a few, any outdoor enthusiast will be in heaven here! From day hikes to multi-day excursions, camping, canoeing, and rafting, there are tons of great outdoor activities to enjoy.
Where to eat in Haines Junction
Village Bakery
This popular eatery is only open during the summer months (May til the first week of September) and is a great place to stop during your Yukon summer trip. Dine outdoors and indulge in some delicious fresh baked goods, deli items and a coffee or fresh lemonade! They also often have live music as well 🙂
Frosty’s
If you’re craving a refreshing ice cream, make a stop at Frosty’s! They also have burgers, fish and chips and poutine! Located right on the Alaska Highway and open from April til September, 11am-8pm.
Yukon Summer Itinerary Day 3 – Beyond Whitehorse
Meet Some Sled Dogs
Even though summer is not the right season for dog sledding, it is still super fun to meet the sled dogs during their off season! We visited Muktuk Adventures and had a fabulous time meeting all of their 130 dogs while learning about dog sledding.
Go Hiking with Huskies
Book a tour with Muktuk and go on a guided hike with the dogs! They offer half and full day hikes, or you can contact them about doing a custom hiking tour. We chose to do a shorter hike around their beautiful property since we had our little one in tow. It was fun having one of their retired dogs lead us around and help us hunt for beavers along the river.
Soak at the Hot Springs
After a full day of exploring, relax in the evening with a soak at the Hot Springs! We visited the popular Takhini Hot Springs before it closed at the end of September 2020 after 49 years in operation. The new hot springs facility will be opening up in 2021 with a more spa-like atmosphere, so definitely go check it out during your Yukon summer visit!
Did you know that the water flows out of the earth’s interior at 385 litres per minute and at 47 degrees Celsius year-round? And that by the time it reaches the surface, it has taken a minimum of 60 years to complete its journey? I thought that was so neat!
By the time the water enters the soaking pools, it has cooled down to 42 degrees Celsius and 36 degrees at the far end. Our one year old loved the warm water in the cooler pool but she was fine for short periods in the hotter section. We also loved that these hot springs don’t have that sulphurous odor like some others. The water is rich in calcium, magnesium and iron which many bathers claim help heal their joint and muscle pains. It definitely is a relaxing place either way.
Visit Yukon Wildlife Preserve
Located right by the Takhini Hot Springs, the Yukon Wildlife Preserve is the place to go if you want guaranteed, safe wildlife sightings. With over 350 acres and more than 180 animals, including caribou, bison, arctic fox, elk and moose, you will be sure to get your wildlife fix. You can choose to walk the 5km loop around the property or take the bus tour.
General admission is $16/adult, $9/youth (4-17 years), and free for infants (0-3 years). If you’d like a guided tour, it is an additional $8 per adult/youth. To view current hours and purchase tickets online, head to their website.
Stay up and Catch the Yukon Northern Lights
Even though viewing the Northern Lights in summer is not ideal, it still is possible as the aurora exists year-round! Since the days are very long in the Yukon during the summer, you have to stay up much later to try to catch them, ideally a couple hours after sunset. You probably won’t see them in June or July since it just doesn’t get dark enough even in the wee hours of the morning, but in August you just might. We went out at 2am in early August and were able to catch a glimpse of them!
They were very faint, but with our camera we were able to see them a bit better. Sometimes you won’t be able to see them with your naked eye, but will be able to catch them on your camera. So make sure to set your alarm clock to wake up in the middle of the night during the summer – you might get lucky!
Yukon Summer Itinerary Day 4 -Whitehorse to Alaska Border and Carcross
Where is Carcross?
Carcross is located in the Southern Lakes region, about 75km south of Whitehorse, along the Klondike Highway. It is also only about 100km north of Skagway, Alaska, making it a popular day trip for cruisers (pre-COVID), especially on the popular scenic White Pass & Yukon Route railway. This small town of just over 500 people was once called Caribou Crossing due to the large number of caribou migrating through the area.
Things to Do in Carcross
Relax at Bennett Beach
Bennett Beach has been named one of the best beaches in Canada, and we agree it certainly is gorgeous. However if you intend to swim, beware that it is a glacial lake and it is cold! You may want to bring a wetsuit 😉 Or just enjoy laying out on the nice sandy beach instead.
Visit the SS Tutshi
The SS Tutshi was built in 1917 and used as a luxury tourist boat until the 1950s. It was later purchased by the Yukon government to be restored, but unfortunately was almost completely destroyed by a fire in 1990. What remains has now been restored as a memorial site for visitors to freely explore.
Visit Yukon’s Oldest Operating Store: Matthew Watson General Store
The Matthew Watson General Store is the oldest operating store in the Yukon, originally built in 1898. You can’t miss its pink exterior and location right across the White Pass and Yukon Route train station. They are open only during the summer, so make sure to stop in during your Yukon summer trip for some ice cream or yummy fudge and shop for some souvenirs. Check their Facebook page for current hours.
Explore the World’s Smallest Desert: Carcross Desert
Measuring in at approximately 2.6 square kilometres, the Carcross Desert is referred to as the smallest “desert” in the world. It may look like a desert, but it is actually the remains of an ancient glacial lake.
Around 10,000 years ago when the ice sheets started to melt, they formed glacial lakes. The sand and silt that had been trapped in the glaciers settled to the bottom of the lakes. Once the glacial lake disappeared, it left behind the sand dunes now known as Carcross desert. Even though Carcross is much drier than the surrounding area, receiving only less than 50cm of precipitation a year, it is still too humid to be considered a true desert.
During summertime in the Yukon, this is a great place to visit and wander up and down the dunes. It is also a popular spot for sand boarding and ATVs. Hike up to the top viewpoint for fantastic views of Bennett Lake and the surrounding mountains.
Drive from Whitehorse to Alaska Border
One of our most favourite drives we’ve ever done is this drive from Whitehorse to the Alaska border, on the way to Skagway. It is incredibly scenic and you will find yourself wanting to stop numerous times to take out your camera and capture the beauty before you. If you love landscape photography, you can’t miss this drive. Endless mountain views, lakes, and wildlife will leave you speechless.
Make sure you bring your passport with you since you will be crossing an international border. Note that it is possible to pass the Canadian border without officially entering the US. Due to the location up in the mountains, there is a stretch of highway between the two border checkpoints which you can drive through and turn around before entering into the US.
Once you pass the Fraser Border crossing on the Canadian side, after about 12km, you will see a pullout on the right where you can stop and check out the huge waterfall! Shortly after, you will see signs that you are entering the US. Just past those signs you will find the Welcome to Alaska sign which is a great photo op. The views are breathtaking!
Be prepared for all kinds of weather! We encountered sunshine, hail, rain, wind, and fog all during our summer drive. Bring layers, water, and food! Once you pass Carcross, there are no facilities, gas stations, etc. So be sure to use the bathroom in Carcross or be ready to go in the bush 🙂
Where to stay in Whitehorse
One thing to note about accommodation in the Yukon is that this is the Yukon and you should not expect the 5 star accommodations that you may be used to. The nicest accommodations in the Yukon may be what you would consider 3 star elsewhere, but they are still great! Besides, you don’t come to the Yukon for luxury, you come for the outdoors 🙂
Best Western Gold Rush Inn
If you want to base yourself right in Whitehorse, the Best Western is an excellent choice. It is one of the nicest hotels you’ll find in Whitehorse, and is located right downtown, with many attractions within easy walking distance.
The hotel is older but it has that old-school charm and character. Rooms have been updated and are spacious, clean and comfortable, with TV and complimentary wi-fi. The hotel is non-smoking and pet friendly.
Luxury Cabin at Muktuk Adventures
This beautifully constructed wood cabin at Muktuk Adventures is one of our favorite places we’ve ever stayed! It truly was exactly what we were looking for during our Yukon summer trip. The cabin is rustic but has everything you need – running water, electricity, a complete kitchen, full bathroom, privacy, stunning views from the bedroom, kitchen, living room and balcony, a fireplace, outdoor BBQ, and free Wi-Fi!
It’s the perfect place to stay if you want to save some money by making your own food. We loved BBQing our dinners each night and eating out on the patio, overlooking the beautiful views of the river and mountains.
We also loved staying here because we had unlimited access to the sled dogs and got to visit with them whenever we pleased. So if you are a dog-lover, this is the place for you! And if you don’t love dogs, that’s okay too, because the cabin is set far enough up the road that you don’t have to interact with them if you don’t want to.
The location isn’t right in town, but it is close enough and only takes about 25 minutes to reach downtown. It is located right off the highway on the way to Haines Junction.
Click here to read our full Privacy Policy and Affiliate Disclosure Statement.
Other Canada posts you might like:
63 Things To Do On Vancouver Island
Visiting Butchart Gardens – The Ultimate Guide
How to Hike to the Dakota 576 Plane Crash Site
Pin this Yukon Summer Itinerary!
Leave a reply