Yukon River

The Yukon River flows through a vast array of mountain ranges, valleys, remote towns, and native villages. Most Yukon River tours head out from Whitehorse, the capital city of Canada’s Yukon Territory, or Fairbanks, Alaska. Choose between half-day canoe trips and river boat cruises or multi-day adventure tours which also include scenic flights, wildlife viewing, and more.

If you’re short on time, you can also catch great views of the river near Whitehorse at Miles Canyon, the S.S. Klondike National Historic Site, and along the Whitehorse Millenium Trail.

• The Yukon River is a relatively mild river with few rapids.
• For river tours, don’t forget to pack extra layers, raingear, and mosquito repellent.
• Yukon River canoe trips are not wheelchair accessible.

Whitehorse is located in Canada’s most northwestern territory, the Yukon, 109 miles (175 kilometers) north of Skagway, Alaska. Flights are available to Whitehorse from Vancouver, Calgary, and other major Canadian cities. If driving, the Alaska-Canada Highway passes through Whitehorse from its junction outside of Fairbanks, Alaska to Dawson Creek in Canada’s British Columbia.

July and August are the best months for canoeing and cruising the Yukon River. The current can be swift during early summer and the river freezes during the winter. August tends to be a good month for wildlife viewing and the Chinook salmon begin running the river in late June.

Situated on the banks of the Yukon River just outside downtown Whitehorse, the S.S. Klondike National Historic Site is a great place to learn about the river’s gold rush history. This historic sternwheeler once moved ore and other goods up and down the Yukon River from Whitehorse to Dawson City before the highway was built. Today, the sternwheeler has been completely restored and serves as a museum to the Yukon’s riverboat era.