The Yukon48 hours in the Yukon
Two days is enough to see Whitehorse, dip into the wilderness, and eat a bison burger. Here is a tight plan that skips 3 tourist traps most first-timers fall into.
Author: Prof Ranga Sai · License: CC0 · Source: Wikimedia Commons: Miles Canyon – Suspension Bridge.jpg
Day 1: Whitehorse basics
Start on Main Street with coffee at Baked Café. Walk down to the S.S. Klondike sternwheeler on 2nd Avenue, its grounds are free to walk; the ship's interior is currently closed for restoration, so plan around the outside view rather than a tour. Cross the footbridge over the Yukon River to the Whitehorse Fishway at the dam, which offers viewing of chinook salmon in season (roughly July through August) on a suggested-donation basis rather than a fixed fee. Loop back through Rotary Peace Park, then grab lunch at Klondike Rib and Salmon on 2nd Avenue, the Arctic char is a strong choice.
Day 1 afternoon: Miles Canyon
Drive about ten minutes south to the suspension bridge over the basalt gorge at Miles Canyon. The trail toward the old Canyon City site runs about 8 km round trip and is manageable at a relaxed pace. Back in town, book ahead for dinner, Whitehorse's better restaurants fill up in summer. Woodcutter's Blanket, a converted house on 2nd Avenue with a strong cocktail and local beer selection, makes a good spot for a nightcap.
Day 2: Wildlife and hot springs
Arrive early at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve on Takhini Hot Springs Road for a self-propelled (walk, bike, ski, or kicksled) tour or a guided bus ride past muskox, lynx, and other northern species. Combine it with Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs nearby to end the morning with a soak, this facility is adults-only, 19 and up, worth knowing if you're travelling with kids. Head back to Whitehorse with time to spare and finish your trip with dinner somewhere you haven't already tried, rather than rushing straight to the airport.
Questions, answered
Is 48 hours enough for Yukon?
For Whitehorse and one nearby wilderness experience, yes. For Dawson City, Kluane, or Tombstone, you'll want at least four days round trip from Whitehorse given the driving distances involved.
Do I need a rental car for 48 hours?
Yes. Miles Canyon, the Wildlife Preserve, and the hot springs all sit outside town with no useful transit connection. Book a rental well ahead in peak summer, fleets are small.
Can you see the northern lights in Whitehorse in 48 hours?
Between late August and April, chances are decent on a clear night. Drive fifteen to thirty minutes out of town, Fish Lake Road is a good option, to escape the city's light pollution.
What's the best time for a short Yukon trip?
Mid-May through mid-September for long daylight and open trails, or mid-August to late March for aurora viewing and stable winter roads.
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