Yukon is the land of the midnight sun and northern lights — a vast wilderness where ancient glaciers meet arctic tundra, where the Klondike Gold Rush forged Canadian history, and where First Nations maintain traditions thousands of years old. With Mount Logan (5,959 m), Canada's highest mountain, the world's largest non-polar icefields, and 14 First Nations, Yukon offers truly breathtaking experiences. Here are the 20 must-do experiences.
To explore further, see our provinces and territories guide and our Discover Yukon article. The unique landscapes of this region are also covered in our Canadian geography guide. Canada's wildlife and wilderness is equally remarkable here. You can also explore Top 20 — colombie britannique.html and Top 20 — territoires nord ouest.html.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site spanning 22,013 km² that is home to Mount Logan (5,959 m), Canada's highest mountain and North America's second-tallest peak. The park contains the world's largest non-polar icefields, and 17 of Canada's 20 tallest mountains. Glaciers cover 83% of the park. The King's Throne trail offers spectacular panoramic views, while a flightseeing tour reveals the immensity of the glaciers — an unforgettable experience.
Nicknamed the "Patagonia of the North," this 2,200 km² park offers spectacular arctic tundra landscapes with jagged rocky peaks, permafrost landforms and abundant wildlife (caribou, grizzlies, golden eagles). The Grizzly Lake Trail (11 km) crosses talus slopes and alpine meadows to reach a crystal-clear mountain lake. In late summer, the tundra blazes in crimson red and gold — one of the most beautiful autumn spectacles in Canada.
One of Yukon's most photographed sites. This strikingly beautiful lake owes its intense emerald colour to calcium carbonate deposited on its bottom by glaciers 14,000 years ago. Surrounded by mountains and spruce forests, the panorama from the Klondike South Highway is breathtaking. A must-stop on the road between Whitehorse and Skagway, accessible year-round.
Did you know?
Mount Logan (5,959 m) is Canada's highest mountain and has the largest base circumference of any non-volcanic mountain on Earth. Its massif includes 11 peaks over 5,000 metres. Kluane National Park, which protects it, is part of a bi-national Canada-US park system recognized by UNESCO.
Considered the world's smallest desert, this surprising landscape of sand dunes covers about 260 hectares. The dunes were created by glacial silt deposited by surrounding lakes at the end of the last ice age. With its golden sand hills surrounded by mountains and boreal forest, Carcross offers a surreal contrast unique in Canada. The Tagish village of Carcross is also well worth a visit.
The heart of the Klondike Gold Rush (1896-1899), one of the most defining events in Canadian history. When gold was discovered at Bonanza Creek on August 17, 1896, the population exploded to 30,000 inhabitants, earning Dawson the nickname "Paris of the North." Today, the town preserves its 19th-century wooden heritage buildings and unpaved streets. The Palace Grand Theatre, the "finest little theatre north of San Francisco," is a National Historic Site.
Canada's oldest legal casino, named after a Gold Rush-era dancehall queen who famously had a diamond set into her front tooth. Built in 1898 by Arizona Charlie Meadows, the hall features three can-can shows per evening in summer, recreating the atmosphere of Klondike saloons. With poker and blackjack tables, Gertie's is a one-of-a-kind experience that transports visitors back to 19th-century Yukon.
The exact site where Klondike gold was discovered in 1896 — the event that triggered the greatest gold rush in Canadian history. At Free Claim #6, visitors can pan for gold for free and keep what they find. The Discovery Claim, the site of the original find, is a National Historic Site. A hands-on, historic experience that connects visitors to the moment that changed Yukon's destiny.
The largest sternwheeler to navigate the Yukon River, now restored and displayed on the riverbanks in Whitehorse. Sternwheelers were the vital link between Whitehorse and Dawson City during the Gold Rush era, carrying passengers and freight over 740 km of river. The guided tour brings back the era of the paddlewheelers, these iconic vessels that opened up Canada's North.
Did you know?
The Klondike Gold Rush (1896-1899) attracted approximately 100,000 gold seekers to the Yukon, but only 30,000 actually made it to Dawson City. The Chilkoot Trail, the main passage to the goldfields, required each person to carry one ton of supplies — a requirement set by the North-West Mounted Police to prevent famine.
The Yukon River, stretching 3,185 km, is one of the greatest waterways in North America. The Whitehorse to Dawson City section (714 km, 14-18 days) follows the route of the 1898 gold seekers through pristine wilderness. Camp on riverbanks under the midnight sun, watch for wildlife (moose, bears, eagles) and immerse yourself completely in Canada's North. The Yukon River Quest, the world's longest canoe race, follows this same route.
The only all-season road in Canada that crosses the Arctic Circle. This 737 km gravel highway connects Yukon to Inuvik in the Northwest Territories, crossing landscapes of tundra, mountains and taiga of wild beauty. At 66° 33' north latitude, a sign marks the Arctic Circle crossing — where, on the summer solstice, the sun never sets. The highway passes through Tombstone Territorial Park and offers caribou sightings.
The most famous historic trail in northern Canada. This 53 km, 3-to-5-day trek follows the route taken by thousands of gold seekers in 1898 to reach the Klondike. The most feared section, the "Golden Staircase," climbs 305 metres in just 800 metres. Along the trail, Gold Rush relics (boat wrecks, wagons, tram rails) have sat untouched for over a century. A National Historic Site shared with the United States.
The traditional mode of transportation of the Far North, now one of Yukon's most iconic experiences. Passionate mushers offer excursions ranging from one hour to several days, through snowy forests and frozen lakes. The Yukon Quest, the 1,600 km international dog sled race between Whitehorse and Fairbanks (Alaska), is considered the world's toughest race. Several kennels also offer summer visits.
Yukon is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. Situated directly beneath the auroral oval, the territory offers regular light shows from mid-August to mid-April. Popular viewing spots include Fish Lake (wide-open views), Schwatka Lake (water reflections) and Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs where you can admire the aurora from a warm pool. The prime viewing window is between 10 PM and 3 AM.
One of the most extraordinary natural phenomena of the North. On the summer solstice (June 21), Yukon enjoys nearly 24 hours of daylight. In Dawson City, the sun barely sets for weeks. The Midnight Dome, a hill overlooking Dawson, is the legendary spot to watch the midnight sun. The Midnight Sun Golf Tournament in Dawson, played in the middle of the night, has become a legendary event.
The Midnight Dome (884 m) offers a 360-degree panoramic view over Dawson City, the Yukon River and the Klondike River. In winter, it's one of the best northern lights viewing points in Yukon, with the lit town below and the sky ablaze with green, purple and pink. Accessible via a winding road, this natural lookout is also the site of the summer solstice festival. A double wonder: midnight sun in summer, aurora in winter.
Did you know?
Yukon is home to 14 First Nations and 8 language groups. Approximately 25% of the territory's population is Indigenous. First Nations' traditional territories cover nearly all of Yukon's land. Yukon was the first territory in Canada to sign modern land claim agreements with First Nations.
A spectacular canyon carved by the Yukon River through basalt, just minutes from downtown Whitehorse. Turquoise waters wind between impressive rock walls. Nearby, the world's longest wooden fish ladder (366 m) allows Chinook salmon to navigate past the hydroelectric dam. The interpretive centre lets visitors watch salmon through underwater windows during their summer migration.
Natural hot springs nestled in the boreal forest of the Takhini corridor, less than 30 minutes from Whitehorse. Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs offer the unique experience of soaking in warm mineral pools under the northern lights in winter or under the midnight sun in summer. Takhini Hot Springs, established for decades, is also famous for its international frozen hair contest — photograph your hair frozen in incredible shapes at -30°C!
A 283-hectare refuge housing iconic northern species in spacious natural habitats. Get up close to musk ox, Canadian lynx, elk, bison, caribou, Dall sheep and mule deer. A 5 km trail circuit (or shuttle ride) takes visitors through the enclosures. This is a unique opportunity to see northern animals that are difficult to spot in the wild. Educational conservation programs are offered.
Yukon's strangest and most famous tradition: drinking a cocktail containing a real mummified human toe! Created in 1973 by Captain Dick Stevenson, the Sourtoe Cocktail has attracted over 100,000 members from around the world. The one simple rule: "You can drink it fast, you can drink it slow, but your lips must touch the toe." Available every evening at the Downtown Hotel from 9 PM to 11 PM.
Yukon's largest First Nations arts and culture festival, celebrating the living heritage of the territory's 14 First Nations. "Adäka" means "coming into the light" in the Southern Tutchone language. The festival features music, dance, visual art, storytelling, crafts and Indigenous cuisine. It's an exceptional window into the cultures that have called Yukon home for millennia.
For the citizenship test: Yukon became a territory in 1898, during the Klondike Gold Rush. Whitehorse is the capital (since 1953). Mount Logan (5,959 m) in Kluane National Park is Canada's highest mountain. Yukon is home to 14 First Nations. The Klondike Gold Rush (1896-1899) attracted thousands of gold seekers to Dawson City. Yukon is the smallest of the three territories by population, but the westernmost. Check our provinces and territories guide to review the essential facts.