7 Must-See Places in the Yukon

The Yukon is a land of untouched wilderness, sparkling blue lakes, and towering mountains. Now that I’ve lived in the Yukon for nearly a year, I have decided on my list of the best places to see in the Yukon Territory. These are all worth a visit (or three) if you visit this northern corner of Canada. Click here for updates on travel to the Yukon related to COVID-19.

Miles Canyon

A walk to Miles Canyon never gets old. Here, the Yukon River swiftly flows through a basalt canyon. The water is a dazzling turquoise. It’s easy to just sit and watch the river for a long while. Or, you can take a hike on one of the many pleasant trails in the area. There’s even an 85-foot long suspension bridge that stretches across the canyon.

Chadburn Lake

Chadburn Lake is my favorite place in the entire Yukon. Its bright turquoise color combined with excellent views of Grey Mountain make it an extremely scenic area. During the summer, it’s common to see a pair of loons and hear their haunting calls. This is a great place to kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. Alternatively, you could take a hike around the lake or on one of the many other trails in the Chadburn Lake Recreation Area.

Grey Mountain

Grey Mountain is the main local mountain of Whitehorse. It’s 4,025 feet tall and provides excellent views of the city. There are tons of options for trails, including mountain biking trails. If your vehicle can brave the very rugged road up the mountain, there is a lovely, easy ridge hike that gradually takes you to the peak. There’s even a cave in a secret location on the mountain that you can climb into for a unique and dramatic view.

Sam McGee Trail

Of all the hikes I have done in the Yukon so far, this one is my favorite. It’s a 9 kilometer trail up one part of Montana Mountain near Carcross. The trail was made in 1905 by Sam McGee for a silver mining tramway. You can still see historic remnants of the mine throughout the hike. You’ll climb through a deciduous forest and into a magical boreal forest filled with lots of moss and interesting mushrooms. The view of Tagish Lake below you is so magnificent, it almost doesn’t look real.

Million Dollar Falls

Million Dollar Falls is off the beaten path, but well worth a visit if you’re in the Haines Junction area. Here, the Takhanne River cascades nearly 200 feet down a narrow canyon. A boardwalk will take you to the brink of the falls, but the waterfall is so tall and winding that it’s difficult to see the bottom. A quiet campground lies right next to the waterfall. It has very large sites, and the musical sound of rushing water is audible throughout.

Tombstone Territorial Park

When you visit Tombstone Territorial Park north of Dawson City, you really feel like you are VERY far north! This is where you should go if you want to get away from it all and escape to the true wilderness. The abrupt, jagged peaks give the area the nickname “Canada’s Patagonia.” If you want to get a closer view of the iconic Tombstone Mountain, you’ll either have to do a backpacking trip or take a scenic flight. I am very blessed that my husband is a pilot and is able to take me on so many unforgettable flights into the backcountry. Flying right beside Tombstone and the surrounding mountains is truly amazing.

Midnight Dome

Before you leave Dawson City, be sure to drive or hike to the top of Midnight Dome. You will get a great view of the little riverside city and the meandering Yukon River.

These are my personal favorite places to see in the Yukon Territory – but there are so many others. Check out some of my other Yukon blog posts here.