- More wildlife than people, with fewer than 50,000 residents
- Northern lights are visible from roughly late August to April
- Dawson City preserves the 1898 Klondike gold rush
- UK visitors flying in need an eTA
- Airports
- Whitehorse (YXY), about 10 minutes from downtown; reached via Vancouver, Calgary or Edmonton
- Best time to go
- June-August for hiking and paddling; late August-April for the northern lights
- Type
- Region
The Yukon is one of Canada's three northern territories, a vast wilderness of mountains, rivers and boreal forest bordering Alaska. It is home to Canada's highest peak, Mount Logan, huge ice fields and some of the world's best opportunities to see the northern lights. In summer, the midnight sun barely sets; in winter, the nights are long, cold and often lit green by the aurora.
Its history is tied to the Klondike gold rush of the late 1890s, and to the First Nations peoples who have lived here for thousands of years. For the wider picture, see our Canada guide.
Things to do
- Whitehorse – the capital and main hub, with the SS Klondike sternwheeler, the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre and paddling on the Yukon River.
- Dawson City – a gold rush town with boardwalks, false-fronted buildings, a gambling hall and the famous Sourtoe Cocktail.
- Kluane National Park and Reserve – part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with vast ice fields; flightseeing over the glaciers is unforgettable.
- Northern lights – aurora viewing lodges near Whitehorse offer heated cabins and guided nights.
- The Dempster Highway – a gravel road crossing the Arctic Circle through Tombstone Territorial Park towards Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk in the Northwest Territories.
- Canoeing the Yukon River – multi-day paddles retrace the route of the stampeders.
- The White Pass & Yukon Route railway – a historic narrow-gauge line from Skagway in Alaska, with some trips to Carcross.
Where to stay
- Whitehorse – hotels and B&Bs, plus aurora lodges in the surrounding countryside.
- Dawson City – restored heritage hotels in the gold rush town.
- Haines Junction – the gateway village for Kluane.
- Wilderness lodges – remote stays reached by road, floatplane or river.
Getting there
There are no direct flights from the UK. Fly to Vancouver, Calgary or Edmonton, then connect with Air North or Air Canada to Whitehorse; total journey time is typically 13 to 16 hours. In summer, a seasonal service from Frankfurt is sometimes an option. British citizens flying to Canada need an eTA, applied for online on the official Government of Canada website. A GHIC is not valid in Canada, so get travel insurance that covers remote areas and evacuation.
Hire a car or campervan for summer road trips, and check road conditions carefully on gravel highways.
Best time to visit
June to August brings long daylight, wildflowers and the best hiking and paddling, though mosquitoes can be fierce. Late August to September offers autumn colour on the tundra and the first auroras. Winter, from December to March, is very cold but excellent for northern lights, dog sledding and the Yukon Quest sled dog race.
Bring cash and a spare tyre on the Dempster Highway, as services are very few and sharp gravel punctures are common.
Top attractions in Yukon
Yukon on the map
Frequently asked questions
When can you see the northern lights in the Yukon?
From roughly late August to mid-April on clear, dark nights, with the best chances away from Whitehorse's lights.
Do UK citizens need an eTA for the Yukon?
Yes, if you fly to Canada. If you enter by road from Alaska, an eTA is not required, but you still need a valid passport.
How cold does the Yukon get?
Winter temperatures often drop below minus 20°C and can fall much lower. Specialist cold-weather clothing is essential.
Can I combine the Yukon with Alaska?
Yes. Many travellers drive or take tours between Whitehorse, Skagway and Alaska; check US entry rules, including ESTA requirements.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
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