Get ready to unleash your sense of adventure and discover an incredible destination that promises thrills beyond imagination – it’s time to visit Whitehorse, in the Yukon Territory! Giving everything the pristine wilderness of northern Canada has to offer! The Yukon beckons travelers to delve into a world of unparalleled excitement and natural splendor. Adjacent to Alaska and positioned above British Columbia, the Yukon is a treasure trove of extraordinary experiences waiting to be uncovered. 

To make the most of your Yukon experience, you’ll want to stay in Whitehorse. The territory capital is also its largest city, where modernity effortlessly intertwines with the enchanting landscapes that surround it. With a population of approximately 36,000, Whitehorse boasts all the amenities of a small, bustling city. It offers a comfortable launching pad for your remarkable journey! Brace yourself for an escape that’s sure to top your bucket list. 

About Whitehorse

Beautiful, energetic, and entertaining, Whitehorse is a small city giving big city energy! Whitehorse offers exciting outdoor adventures, live theater, a diverse array of dining establishments, rich historical roots, and a captivating gold rush narrative! Whitehorse blends cultural and outdoor pursuits together, so you’ll never have to choose. 

Known as the “Wilderness City”, Whitehorse has the great outdoors at its doorstep. More than 700 kilometers of marked trails run along the river and out to stunning, picture-perfect lakes. Whether you’re a hiker or mountain biker, you’ll enjoy the trip and find breathtaking mountaintop views awaiting you.

Once you’ve gotten your fill of nature, discover a downtown that’s loaded with charisma! Whitehorse is a captivating mix of coffee shops, museums, and heritage buildings. Everything is blended with a capital city going about its business. 

Creativity runs deep here! You’ll find public art, exquisite cuisine, live performances, and inviting cultural explorations! Small, local shops offer everything from fine local artwork to fireweed jelly. You’ll get the full Whitehorse experience!

With natural beauty and a great personality, it’s easy to fall in love with Whitehorse. Here’s a look at the top 7 things to do while visiting Whitehorse, where to stay, and the best time to plan your gaycation. 

1. Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs

Built on the site of the historic Takhini Hot Springs, Eclipse offers an exciting new Boreal experience. They bring a fusion of Japanese, Turkish, and Nordic design. The all-new, adult-only, luxury facility offers four pools that vary in size and depth. They’re all fed by natural mineral hot springs with limited chlorination. They offer fabulous saunas, steam rooms, Japanese clay tubs (hot pots), cedar hot tubs, a cold plunge pool, and more!

Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs is very welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community! There are gender-neutral changing areas on the way in and out of the facility. The front-line staff and management understand the sensitives of the queer community. However, when making reservations, the system does require individuals to select male or female. They are working with the reservation software provider to get a gender-neutral option available. In the meantime, just add a note in the comments when you are making your reservation. The staff will do everything they can to accommodate you.

On-site, there is a small restaurant to get some delicious light bites. Alcohol is available and limited to one beverage per person. This is due to the spa environment, and because of travel liability to/from Whitehorse.  

Eclipse is currently undergoing a massive multi-million-dollar development! Multiple developers are coming together to build out the destination area! This will include a range of accommodations, expanded campground services, a distillery, and more!

Make your reservation to spend the day at Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs.

2. Day Trip to Carcross with Epic North

Epic North offers an array of regional day trips within the Whitehorse area. This gives you the best way to immerse yourself in the finest offerings of the Yukon. Among their diverse selection, the Epic North Yukon Gold Experience stands out as one of the best. This popular day trip provides a captivating glimpse into the Klondike gold rush era. It shows off the true essence of the Yukon’s historical past. Your adventure begins as you’re collected from your Whitehorse hotel. Then it is time to embark on a comfortable day excursion aboard a tour van accompanied by an expert interpretive guide. 

Robinson Roadhouse

Robinson Roadhouse was constructed in 1906 as a staging point for miners in the Watson and Wheaton River mining districts. This was established as a flag station for the White Pass & Yukon Route. Today, the highway rest stop is a great place to explore Klondike history! There are interpretive panels explaining the historical importance of the Robinson Roadhouse. You can walk across the abandoned railway tracks to see the remains of the log structures at the unmanned site.

Emerald Lake

Like a precious jewel, the stunning, shimmering waters of Emerald Lake are breathtaking! The pristine lake gets its intense green colors from the presence of glacial silt. This is primarily calcium carbonate mixed with clay, from the limestone gravel. It’s surrounded by gorgeous, lush, boreal forests. It’s a beautiful pull-off right on the highway, and perfect for getting fabulous photographs!

Pan for Gold at Caribou Crossing Trading Post

This interesting destination features a petting zoo, RCMP museum, and a museum showcasing the natural history of the Yukon. They feature a wide variety of taxidermy animals including bears, buffalo, deer, caribou, elk, and moose. They even house a re-created woolly mammoth!

They feature dog sled rides, a charming café with an ice cream parlour, and engaging chuckwagon rides. Recreating the old outposts, satisfy the innate desire to strike gold that draws visitors to the Yukon! Caribou Crossing Trading Post offers a hands-on gold panning experience! You be provided with the opportunity to pan for genuine gold under the guidance of experienced instructors.

Carcross Desert

The Carcross Desert is the world’s smallest desert. It’s just a mere 2.6 sq kms (1.0 sq mi). While it’s technically not a desert, because the climate is too humid, this unique northern sand dune area is fascinating! 

The sand comes from nearby Bennett Lake, carried by the wind. There are wide-open spaces and beautiful glade areas. You can experience the area in various ways, including hiking, beach volleyball, and ATVing! In the winter, snowshoeing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing are the activities of choice! 

Carcross

Take a gorgeous stroll along the boardwalk of the historic Carcross buildings! They have all the local offerings with a general store, ice cream parlor, and a playground! The historic Caribou Hotel, located on the boardwalk, has a fabled history, and is said to be haunted. After being closed and boarded up for years, the new owners are working on bringing it back to life. The saloon on the boardwalk level is open seasonally and welcomes visitors to come in for a pint of beer! Inside you’ll also find treasured artifacts from the Yukon Klondike pass. 

There are opportunities to walk along the fabulous sandy beaches of Bennett Lake. If the timing is right, you might even get to see the famous White Pass & Yukon Route Railway train as it arrives from Skagway, Alaska. Be sure to support the local First Nations village, where you’ll find coffee shops, artisans, and boutique shops!

Book your Yukon Gold Experience day trip with Epic North.

3. Boat Ride on the Yukon River with Yukon River Tours

Part of the excitement of traveling is discovering new and fresh adventures! Yukon River Tours is an awesome, untraditional way to get outside and explore – out on the water! Climb aboard the customized six-passenger Hewescraft boat! This boat has been specially designed with a rugged hull and high sides, so it easily carves through the mighty Yukon River! On sunny days, the roof is off, letting the sunshine in, and on rainy days, there’s a canvas top to keep everyone dry. Don’t worry, this doesn’t get in the way of providing epic views.

The adventure begins by boarding at Schwatka Lake, cruising through Miles Canyon, and then further up the Yukon River.

Miles Canyon is located just minutes from downtown Whitehorse and is one of the most photographed locations in the area! It’s known for its famous suspension bridge, which has been recently restored! This Provides access to hiking and mountain biking trails in the summer, and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails in the winter.

Along the 70-minute journey, you’re likely to spot everything from large bald eagles to a giant beaver dam. There are binoculars on board, but you’ll want to bring your camera! It’s possible to see beavers, moose, bears, and other wildlife!

In addition to a beautiful trip up the river, there are opportunities to slow down and enjoy the scenery. This will give plenty of photogenic opportunities!

From romantic couples’ packages to a small group of friends, Yukon River Tours offers the ultimate experience. New for 2023, you can upgrade your tour to include a picnic basket filled with snacks and beverages.

Book your riverboat tour today with Yukon River Tours.

4. Glass Blowing at Lumel Studios

Since 2016, Lumel Studios in downtown Whitehorse has been a highlight of the arts and culture experience scene! The diverse and experienced staff will take beginner and intermediate glass blowers through the steps to create one-of-a-kind, unique glassware. From vessels, paperweights, and orbs for beginners, to cups and figures for return visitors, it’s a magical, hands-on activity.

Get inspired by the variety of pre-made glassware on display and imagine of the possibilities for your own creations. Each participant will work with a glass expert to create their own unique piece. You’ll be part of the process, from selecting the colors of glass to working and shaping each piece. You’ll be hands-on using different tools to create your glassware.

At the end of your session, your creation is put into a kiln to cool overnight, and you can pick it up the next day.

Lumel also has pre-made glass items and collections for sale.

Book your hands-on glass-blowing session at Lumel Studios today.  

5. Learn About Yukon History at the MacBride Museum

Downtown Whitehorse has rich culture and history—from historic buildings to landmarks and sculptures. The stories of the First Nations people, the migration to the Klondike, and local people of note are told at the MacBride Museum in Whitehorse.

MacBride Museum is the first museum in the Yukon! The recently expanded museum offers a comprehensive view of the resilient people and ground-breaking events that have shaped the territory’s history.

There are over 40,000 objects throughout the galleries spread across three floors and multiple buildings. It illustrates the stories of the people and events from the region. There is art and photography, taxidermy, First Nations beadwork and crafts, historical artifacts, and signs. As well as informational dioramas filled with period items from the region.

Get your tickets to MacBride Museum today.

6. Guided ATV Tour at Southern Lakes Resort

Get your adrenaline pumping as you explore the beautiful surroundings of the Southern Lakes by ATV! Departing from Southern Lakes Resort, the two-hour guided trail ride will take you to scenic locations with breathtaking views. The tour starts with a detailed safety check and operating instructions. Helmets and gloves are provided! Just bring yourself, and some clothes you don’t mind getting a bit dirty along your journey.

Geared for beginner and intermediate riders, the first stop on the guided ATV tour is to a beautiful rocky beach. The path is flat and wide, allowing riders to get comfortable with riding their machine, practice breaking, acceleration and turns.

Next the tour heads up the hillside, up a double-track path. There are more twists and turns through the trees. You’ll even get the opportunity to cruise through a small sand dune. Once at the top, there is a spectacular scenic lookout. On a clear day you can see the Coast Mountains to Alaska.

From there, the tour continues, along the trail through dense pine and poplar tree forests. The next stop is at a wide-open, lush, grassland area. During the peak summer months, fireweed blazes hot pink!

The tour speeds up through the open meadow and along the wide-open trail network as you make your way back to the resort.

This is truly a unique and stunning experience to get outside and see the natural beauty of the southern Yukon region!

Book a thrilling guided ATV tour at Southern Lakes Resort. 

7. Scenic Flight Tour with Alpine Aviation

Take your visit to Whitehorse to new heights with a scenic flight tour with Alpine Aviation! This is an incredible, memorable adventure that will have you telling stories for years to come!

Tours leave from Schwatka Lake, just minutes from downtown Whitehorse. You can also book a charter flight to pick you up from most lakeside resorts – like Southern Lakes Resort.

There are a variety of tours available, from fishing and canoe trips to half-day and overnight tours. You’ll be in awe as you expererience of the vastness of the Yukon, captured on the Atlin Icefields tour.

The scenic flight heads south, over the Southern Lakes region where you’ll pass granite mountains, see stunning waterfalls, and flowing rivers. You’ll see lakes of a variety of colors from green to azure blue, lush green valleys, and gorgeous deltas.

The flight continues to the Juneau ice fields where you will be memorized by the incredible glaciers. From this vantage point, you’ll see just how massive the glaciers are and the paths they’ve carved over thousands of years! See how they flow down to the lake, where icebergs breakoff into the lake.

Next, your flight will land at Bastion Island, which is in British Columbia. Here you can get off the floatplane, without even getting your feet wet. After you climb the trail to the top of the hill, enjoy a picnic lunch on the rocky beach. It’s also a unique opportunity to get a selfie with the Cessna aircraft with the stunning natural background.

Once back aboard the floatplane, you’ll make your way back towards Whitehorse. You’ll pass the small city of Atlin in the distance, past sweeping mountain ranges, colorful lakes, waterfalls, and scenic vistas.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure and a trip to Whitehorse would not be complete without going on this epic floatplane experience!

Book your scenic floatplane tour with Alpine Aviation.

Where to stay in Whitehorse

The city of Whitehorse has a variety of accommodations, including brand new hotels in the downtown core! To make your visit to the Yukon the best it can be, these are three incredible and unique accommodation options.

Inn on the Lake

The Inn on the Lake is a charming haven in the breathtaking beauty of Canada’s Yukon wilderness. Just 30 mins south of Whitehorse, Inn on the Lake invites guests to immerse themselves in the serene ambiance. Sit back while soaking in the stunning vistas that change with each season. It’s situated on the tranquil shores of a crystal-clear lake and surrounded by majestic forests and snow-capped mountains. This stunning, lakeside property offers an unforgettable escape for nature enthusiasts and relaxation seekers alike.

Gay owned and operated; the Inn on the Lake is where rustic elegance meets relaxation. It’s a harmonious blend, creating a haven of comfort and tranquility. The property offers unique rooms that embrace a rustic ambiance, bringing serenity amidst the Canadian wilderness. Many feature exposed wood beams and textures, providing a cozy retreat after a day of outdoor adventures.

Read more about Inn on the Lake.

Black Spruce

Amidst the rugged wilderness of the Yukon, the Black Spruce Cabins in Whitehorse, offer a romantic retreat into nature’s embrace. With a commitment to sustainable hospitality and a deep respect for the environment, these cabins provide more than just accommodation. It’s an authentic experience that allows visitors to connect with the soul-stirring beauty of Canada’s northern landscape.

Located just minutes from downtown Whitehorse, these unique, small-footprint cabins provide an escape from the hustle and bustle, while providing all the technology modern travelers desire. Surrounded by towering black spruce trees, these cabins blend seamlessly into the wilderness. This gives you a true sense of solitude and tranquility.

Read more about Black Spruce.

Southern Lakes Resort

Among the breathtaking landscapes of Yukon, Canada, the Southern Lakes Resort stands as a beacon of tranquility and natural splendor. Located about two hours south of Whitehorse, Southern Lakes Resort offers an enchanting escape for travelers seeking a memorable retreat in the heart of the wilderness. Once you arrive, you’ll be captivated by the resort’s rustic charm, warm hospitality, and outdoor adventures awaiting you.

The cabin accommodations at Southern Lakes Resort are designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding wilderness while providing modern comforts. Cozy log cabins, some with wood-burning fireplaces, and all with private balconies offer an intimate connection to nature without compromising on luxury. Wake up to the sounds of birdsong and the gentle lapping of the lake against the shore. At night, witness the star-studded skies, meteor showers, and the famous Aurora Borealis.

Read more about Southern Lakes Resort.

Travel Whitehorse During Yukon Pride

In the northern Canadian territory of the Yukon, Pride Month is an occasion that unites communities, celebrates diversity, and honors the region’s rich Indigenous culture. It is a time when visitors and locals alike can experience the beauty of the Yukon landscape while embracing a spirit of inclusivity and acceptance.

Yukon Pride is a colourful, community celebration of history, culture, activism, and visibility of the queer community. There are community events, Pride parades, dance parties, and more. Fun, laughter, diversity and inclusion, visibility, trans and Indigenous rights, and expressions of love and togetherness are all feelings and emotions that can be felt at Yukon Pride.

It’s time to put Yukon Pride on your bucket list of Pride events to attend in 2024! In addition to being a fabulous event, it’s also one more reason to plan a trip to the incredible Yukon territory in northern Canada.

Read more about Yukon Pride.

Plan Your Trip to Whitehorse, Yukon Today with Travel Yukon

The Yukon is home to epic landscapes, the tallest mountain in Canada, and nature’s most coveted light show, the aurora borealis. Moose, caribou, mountain sheep, black bears, grizzlies, and wood bison roam the sweeping expanses. Indigenous culture, a burgeoning culinary scene, thrilling outdoor adventures, historic sites, and welcoming communities abound in the Land of the Midnight Sun.

Plan your trip with the help of Travel Yukon.