Things to do in Whitehorse

The main appeal of the Yukon, of course, is its unspoilt wilderness, with Whitehorse being a great base from which to take excursions into the great outdoors. The Yukon Wildlife Preserve is the ideal spot to encounter the local wildlife as it is home to the region's 10 major animal species: lynx, woodland caribou, elk, moose, wood bison, mountain goats, muskoxen, mule deer and two species of Dall's sheep.

Because the Yukon is a place where dogs are so integral to local culture, a visit to Muktuk Adventures is a must. Another option for those interested in dog-sledding and other outdoor ranching activities are the tours offered by Sky High Wilderness Ranch. Plenty of scenic hiking is possible in and around Whitehorse, with Miles Canyon a particular favourite, and the stretching expanses of Kluane National Park are great for nature lovers.

Cultural and historical sightseeing attractions in Whitehorse include the MacBride Museum of Yukon History, the SS Klondike sternwheeler ship, the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre and a number of fun gold-rush sites.

Klondike photo

Klondike

The area around Dawson City lured thousands of brave young men and women to join the world's last great gold rush in 1897. It's now a colourful town with boardwalks and plenty of r…

Klondike

The area around Dawson City lured thousands of brave young men and women to join the world's last great gold rush in 1897. It's now a colourful town with boardwalks and plenty of restored buildings, including the rather rustic Diamond Tooth Gertie's Dancehall and Casino. Then there is Carmacks, originally a riverboat fuelling station that is now a community preserving the First Nations' culture, with an interpretive centre sketching aboriginal history over 10,000 years. Fort Selkirk is the oldest settlement in the area and now survives as a living museum, while the life and times of the Northern Tutchone people is preserved at Big Jonathan House.

Website dawsoncity.ca

Kluane National Park photo

Kluane National Park

This vast park is dominated by mountains and ice in Canada's extreme alpine zone, making it a magnet for mountaineers and rugged adventure seekers who explore its mountain lakes, a…

Kluane National Park

This vast park is dominated by mountains and ice in Canada's extreme alpine zone, making it a magnet for mountaineers and rugged adventure seekers who explore its mountain lakes, alpine meadows, tundra and cold, gushing rivers. At the heart of the park is Canada's highest mountain, Mount Logan, rising up in the midst of an ice field to 19,545 feet (5,959m). Local tour operators in Yukon towns offer a variety of memorable day trips and excursions into the park, featuring a wide range of activities such as canoeing, rafting, fishing, hiking and mountain biking. Air trips over the area are also a spectacular way to sightsee from a bird's-eye view.

Website https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/yt/kluane

Muktuk Adventures photo

Muktuk Adventures

On the banks of the Takhini River in a remote part of the Yukon, venerated musher Frank Turner established a truly wonderful community centred on caring for sled dogs. In recent ye…

Muktuk Adventures

On the banks of the Takhini River in a remote part of the Yukon, venerated musher Frank Turner established a truly wonderful community centred on caring for sled dogs. In recent years, the Muktuk Kennels have grown into a massively popular excursion for visitors to Whitehorse. The staff who look after more than 140 sled dogs (mainly huskies, samoyeds and malamutes) are deeply committed to the animals. The eco-friendly solar-powered guesthouses are comfortable and homey, offering panoramic views of the spectacular and unspoilt Ibex Valley. Visitors can even attempt mushing with the dogs during winter, while canoeing and kayaking on the lake are the most popular summer activities.

Address Kilometre marker 1443, Alaska Highway, Whitehorse

Website www.muktuk.com