A Day at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve: Up Close with Arctic Mammals
Muskox, wood bison, lynx and caribou — guaranteed sightings 25 minutes from town.
Want to see arctic foxes, massive wood bison, and shaggy muskox without trekking days into the backcountry? The Yukon Wildlife Preserve, just 25 minutes from downtown Whitehorse, spans more than 700 acres of natural habitat dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation, conservation, and education. It’s the surest way in the territory to see northern animals up close — and a favourite for families and photographers.
What you’ll see
The preserve is home to species that can take days to find in the wild: wood bison, muskox, moose, woodland caribou, mountain goats, Dall and thinhorn sheep, mule deer, lynx, and arctic foxes, among others. The large, naturalistic enclosures let the animals behave much as they would in the wild, so sightings feel earned rather than staged.
How to visit
A wide loop road runs through the habitats, and you can explore it several ways. Drive it at your own pace, walk or cycle the roughly five-kilometre route in summer, or join a guided bus tour for expert commentary. In winter, snowshoeing the loop is a magical way to see the animals against fresh snow.
Best times to go
The preserve is open year-round, and each season offers something different. Spring brings newborn animals; summer offers long daylight and green habitats; autumn shows off rutting behaviour; and winter reveals thick coats and animals well suited to the cold. Mornings and evenings tend to be the most active viewing times.
Why it matters
Beyond the viewing, the preserve does real conservation and rehabilitation work, caring for injured and orphaned animals and educating visitors about northern ecology. A visit supports that mission while giving you the knowledge to spot the same species later in the wild.
Many travellers visit early in their trip to learn what they’re looking for, then head into the backcountry with a sharper eye. Guaranteed, ethical, and genuinely educational, the Yukon Wildlife Preserve earns its place near the top of any itinerary.