Yukon, Canada
I traveled all over Yukon and nearby areas of Alaska for 3 weeks in August, 2025.
The Basics
Border Entry: Make sure to do your homework to be safe, but you shouldn’t need more than a Passport to enter Canada.
Vaccines: No specific vaccines are required to visit Yukon, but you might consider getting vaccinated for rabies if you plan on engaging in activities that increase your risk of exposure to wildlife. The vaccine is a series of 3 shots over 3 weeks and should be good for life. Although, you still need to see a doctor if you get bitten, even if you’ve had the vaccine. Personally, I don’t feel it’s needed but I’ve gotten the vaccine anyway because I travel to many remote and impoverished locations.
Best Time of Year to Visit: The best months to visit are June, July and August when it’s nearly 24 hours of daylight (June) and you’ve got the most time to explore. Additionally, the roads will be much safer with warmer weather. However, the Northern Lights are most visible during the winter months. Keep in mind, Yukon is gigantic so drives can take anywhere from 2-8 hours between locations.
Visit Duration: Assuming you’re on full vacation mode and not working, I recommend staying for 2 weeks minimum. The weather can be very unpredictable so it’s smart to give yourself a few extra days in case you need to reschedule an activity. If you’re planning to book any type of flight-tour, cancellations are common in these areas. Driving from locations like Whitehorse to Dawson City or Dawson City to Chicken, AK can also take an entire day so you need proper time to enjoy your trip. Some of the coolest parts of Yukon involve stopping for the photography opportunities along the way.
Flights to Whitehorse: As far as I’m aware, there are very few direct flights from most US cities to Whitehorse, if any. Be prepared for an all-day trip with at least two layovers. Most of the connecting flights to Whitehorse depart from Vancouver via Air North. The flight is very scenic so try to reserve a window seat if possible.
Weather: As mentioned above, the weather can be very unpredictable in these mountainous locations no matter what time of year. Speaking for the summer months, it was typically around 45- 55 degrees in the early mornings to 70- 80 degrees during the daytime in Whitehorse. I experienced a mix of sun, clouds and light rain most of the days. However, that can change dramatically when entering the parks like Tombstone. It’s important to bring clothes for all types of weather, but snow is not likely during this time of year. Most guides will tell you to dress in layers because you can remove them later. If you see a sunny day in the forecast, take advantage and do your flight-tour then because it’s rare to have two perfectly sunny days in a row.
Accommodations: Whitehorse is the main hub in Yukon and quite larger than I expected. It’s a great home base with epic adventures waiting for you in all directions.
Main Street is the place to be with many restaurants, bars and local stores. You’ll find many hotel options in this area including Hyatt Place, which seemed like nicest hotel in the area.
On the other hand, I’m sure you can find very affordable Airbnb’s as well. I stayed in a very nicely maintained Airbnb 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom townhouse HERE about 10 minutes outside of town for roughly $237 USD per night. Definitely book well in advance because places sell out quickly.
Costs: This is a little tricky so I’m going to break it down into a few categories.
Hotels and Airbnb’s are typically very affordable compared to similar places in Alaska, and even more so 5- 10 minutes outside of downtown.
This is a blue-collar city so restaurants, bars, coffee shops, gasoline stations and more will also be on the cheaper side.
On the other hand, activities are more of a premium so plan ahead. For example, tours that include flights, ATV or off-roading vehicles and anything private whether it’s hiking or photography can be pricier. Additionally, renting an SUV for safety purposes in combination with the gas required for the long road trips can quickly increase your expenses.
Transportation: One could probably get by with a reliable midsized sedan, but if you really want ultimate safety traveling on these lonely roads that can transform into gravely, potholed obstacle courses for many miles at a time, then I recommend considering an SUV option. Do not forget about the wildlife which can make an appearance when you’re least expecting it. A few more pointers to make note of include;
Make sure the vehicle’s oil is at a healthy level before leaving the rental location and that you know how to change a tire.
Have water and some food in your vehicle in case of emergencies. There were times when I didn’t see a car for hours.
No toll-passes are necessary in Yukon
Make sure to purchase insurance because there is a good chance of a cracked window from the many small pebbles and rocks being hurled at you by passing trucks— it happened to me.
It’s an additional $150- $200 fee to register your vehicle for the Dempster Highway. The fee will allow you to drive for 2 hours north through Tombstone Territorial Park. Once you get to a certain point (ask your rental car company), you will need to turn around or you’ll likely be charged an additional $1,500 which is automatically detected by a sensor on your vehicle. In my opinion, it’s not worth spending the extra money unless you’re making the trip all the way to the arctic. However, the most scenic parts of the Dempster Highway occur within the first two hours of the drive.
Rideshare Apps like Uber and Lyft do not exist in Yukon so you will need to rely on taxis and other forms of transporation.
Groceries: You’re not going to find a ton of grocery store options, but it’s still better than I had anticipated.
Save-On-Foods: Think Ralphs, Safeway, Stop&Shop and Publix— it’s the largest grocery store in Whitehorse and surprisingly good.
Riverside Grocery: Think of a miniature Whole Foods around the size of a large 711. This is a much smaller grocery store near Main Street where you will find the most healthy and exclusive options in the area. I would have visited a lot more frequently if it was closer to my Airbnb.
Walmart Supercentre is another option if you’re trying to conserve your budget.
Fitness Centers: There are a few solid gym options if there is no hotel at your hotel or Airbnb.
Better Bodies: This spot appears to be the most popular gym in the area and you don’t need a car if you’re staying downtown.
Canada Games Center: I was absolutely blown away after finding the Games Center and strongly recommend this option. It included a super, large fitness area, an indoor track with additional cardio and weight machines lining the perimeter, multiple basketball courts, soccer fields, pickleball courts, hockey rinks and much more. The center also had a food options like Subway and a smoothie bar. And the entry price was only $8 per day!
If you’re crazy like me and planning to be in Whitehorse for a few weeks, you might want to consider purchasing your own exercise equipment at the Walmart Supercentre. Personally, I like to buy weights when I first arrive so I can bring them on my weekend round trips— most of the hotels and Airbnb’s do not have gyms in the more remote locations.
Wi-Fi: Connections are solid in Whitehorse and typically very dependable in most Yukon towns. However, you will lose all signals within 10- 15 minutes after leaving Whitehorse and you may not regain connection for several hours. I would not recommend planning any important calls during your excursions.
Wildlife: You can assume the wildlife is everywhere, although not in as plain sight as Alaska. Fun fact, Yukon is roughly 20,000 square miles larger than California and there are only 45,000 residents. Therefore, tour guides will say that a lot of the wildlife typically stays to their own playground and away from tourist areas. Make no mistake, this is grizzly bear country, and I saw more warning signs than I can remember on these types of trips— especially the drive from Haines Junction to Haines, AK. A few tips include 1) carry bear spray at all times and actually know how to use it 2) consider driving in the middle of the road when possible since that will allow you to easily maneuver either direction if an animal darts across the road 3) Do not hike alone.
Random Recommendations:
Through my travels, I’ve learned a few tricks along the way. One of them being, always book the flight tours EARLIER in your trip, or anything that can be impacted by weather for that matter. That way, you can always reschedule the activity to another day if needed. Similarly, have backup options ready for those activities that could potentially get canceled.
If you’re willing to spend a little more money for efficiency purposes, I recommend booking your accommodation in Whitehorse without any gaps— in other words, do not checkout of your Whitehorse stay when traveling to other places during the weekends. You’ll save a ton of time and stress by not having to constantly check in/check out, pack/unpack, reacclimate yourself to a new home, etc.
Make sure to grab bug spray and sunscreen when you arrive. Mosquitos aren’t an issue in Whitehorse and other towns, but they do become an annoyance in the parks.
Now, moving on to the part that is more exciting. I’ve broken up the rest of the blog into a few sections with each section covering a different location in Yukon and parts of Alaska. Each location can be visited in 2-3 days minimum, but one can easily spend more days exploring if time permits. I’ve left many more pictures at the end of the blog to showcase anything that I wasn’t able to cover earlier.
Tombstone Territorial Park & Dawson City
Tombstone Territorial Park is nicknamed the “Patagonia of the North” and considered the crown jewel of Yukon. Most people are unaware of Tombstone because of its’ remote location and lack of major amenities. For me, I would rank the park in my top 10 adventure destinations.
The park is roughly 6 hours from Whitehorse with Carmacks as the main town to break for food and gas. It’s a lonely, but highly scenic journey that often turns to a rocky and gravely road for many miles at a time. Most vehicles will be fine if you drive safely.
Expect to experience some of the most dramatic scenery on the path to Dawson City that will illustrate the massive size of the Yukon. This photo was taken along the Klondike Highway from the Five Finger Rapids viewpoint. There is another really cool pull-off spot as you approach closer to Dawson City called Tintina Trench Viewpoint.
Most visitors use Dawson City as their homebase for Tombstone Territorial Park. Dawson City is a tiny gold rush town which might remind you of the movie, Back to the Future III. The most popular hotel is called The Downtown and you can’t find a more centralized location to rest.
Side note, The Drunken Goat Taverna was my favorite restaurant spot which serves fantastic Greek and mediterranean food— it was always packed. For dessert, Klondyke Cream serves generous portions of ice cream and is considered a local hot spot. I loved it and made it part of my cheat day!
As far as I’m aware of, the only two options to reach Tombstone Mountain are by hiking for 2- 3 days or taking a helicopter directly to Tombstone Mountain. For me, I have a passion for “heli-hiking” which is when the helicopter makes a drop-off into the backcountry. You’re typically left alone or with a guide to explore the wilderness. There are a few companies that organize these trips, but Fireweed seemed to be the most reputable and responsive. Your guide will coordinate the hotel pick-up/drop off times in Dawson City. They will also pack emergency equipment, satellite communications, first aid supplies, and a healthy trailside lunch (it’s good!). The cost is not budget friendly with 1-2 people, but it becomes much more reasonable with a group of 4-6 people. I would also recommend tipping the pilot. A little insider info, the pilot will entertain personal requests— for example, I asked him to fly at a low altitude through the valley on the return flight and it was a super cool experience. You can get their feedback on your ideas before the flight begins.
Upon landing in the early morning, you’ll want to be ready to start snapping photos asap because the lighting should be perfect on Tombstone Mountain. The weather can change rapidly so take advantage of the photo opportunities while they last. You’ll have a second chance to capture the same photos when returning to the helicopter pad, but the lighting will not be the same. For example, the helicopter photo at the top was taken at 7am and the photo here was taken in the early evening. The more distant lake in this photo is Talus Lake and is considered the prize destination for most visitors to the park. This particular photo was taken from a smaller lake which is roughly a 10-minute walk from Talus Lake (no name to this lake). You’ll have to walk up an uneven, grassy incline to get this photo but it’s not difficult.
If you choose to do the helicopter-hike, the guides will typically take your group around 5 miles past Talus Lake before stopping for lunch and then turning back. Overall, the hike is relatively flat terrain with a few small inclines and declines. It should be an enjoyable hike for most experienced hikers, but make sure that you still wear comfortable hiking boots. This picture is about 20- 30 minutes from Talus Lake and is impossible to miss. This photo was taken in the early morning, but the water will likely become a more emerald green by the late afternoon for your second photo opportunity.
The picture here is right before reaching our lunch spot which is shown in the following photo below. Make note of the yellow flowers because this is the perfect location for this photo.
Once you reach the Divide Lake, you’ll see a few picnic tables nearby, but the ultimate lunch spot is a hop, skip away by meandering through the vegetation and climbing a few rocks to reach the final two larger boulders. This part is a little difficult to explain, but you’ll see what I’m referring to when in the moment. If you decide to eat on the boulders, make sure to bring your bug spray because they can be relentless closer to the water. A day or two prior to the hike, your guide should contact you to coordinate your lunch preferences.
From here, your guide will most likely instruct your group to begin the long trek back to the helicopter pad for your early evening pick up (~6pm). Make sure to have your camera ready because you’ll be able to experience the park from new angles and lighting. For those of you that choose to camp for the night, Grizzly Lake is the second most famous lake in the area and definitely worth a visit. I did not have the time, but the online photos look amazing and other hikers validated the same. Last but not least, don’t forget to tip your guide— their salary accounts for the majority of their living, but they always appreciate a nice thank you gift.
So what other cool activities are there to do while visiting Dawson City? Aside from my restaurant and ice cream recommendations above, Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall is by far the most popular evening activity in town for both tourists and locals. It’s Canada's oldest casino and reminiscent of the area's Klondike Gold Rush history. If I recall correctly, you pay a $25 entry fee, and the ticket allows entry and reentery during your entire stay in Dawson City. The picture to the right was taken from the center of the upper balcony just after the show ended. You can find a few other late-night, lively bars nearby.
The Midnight Dome is just outside of town and offers a spectacular view of Dawson City and the surrounding mountains. You can drive there by taking Dome Road from the Klondike Highway or by taking Mary McLeod Road in town which connects to Dome Road after a few minutes’ drive. In my opinion, it’s much easier to take Mary McLeod if you’re coming from town— it’s also a more interesting ride because it winds through a few spooky cemeteries. The total drive time is roughly 15 minutes each way. The weather could be slightly chilly at the summit so bring a jacket even if it’s warmer in Dawson. On a clear evening, many locals and tourists arrive around 1am to catch the Northern Lights. Unfortunately, I never attempted to see this spectacle because of early morning activities. If you don’t have transportation, you can still experience the Midnight Dome by hiring local tour companies like The Klondike Experience which is a minute walk from The Downtown Hotel. Additionally, if 1am past your bedtime, catching the sunset is still a pretty epic experience as you can see from my photo! Once at the top, you can walk a few yards down the cliff (it’s safe) to get a more close-up shot of Dawson.
If you cannot do the multiple day hike or the helicopter transfer to Tombstone Mountain, then the Dempster Highway (Route 5) cannot be missed. Honestly, I would still most definitely do this drive no matter what. This drive offers fantastic viewpoints that are not visible elsewhere. The Dempster Highway is located approximately 25 miles east of Dawson City (in other words, prior to reaching Dawson City). After the first ~15 minutes, the road becomes mostly gravel— the small pebbles can easily crack your windows from the passing trucks. As mentioned earlier, you only need to drive for roughly 1.5- 2 hours for the most iconic views, however the road extends for 13 hours all the way to the arctic.
This particular photo was taken from the Tombstone Range Viewpoint (most iconic), ~45 miles into the drive. If the weather is nice, get this photo now because bad weather can move into the area within minutes. Shortly before the viewpoint, Tombstone Interpretive Center is a cool stop that showcases the park's natural and cultural history. They will also provide you with everything you need from trail maps to camping permits. That said, I would still make the Range Viewpoint the priority if it’s nice weather and return to the Center later in the day.
If you’re anxious to get out of your car for some exercise, but don’t have time for an all-day hike, I would definitely suggest the Goldensides Trailhead which is directly across the street from the Range Viewpoint. There is a small parking lot and then it’s a quick 10-minute walk to the trailhead. It’s a relatively easy 2-hour roundtrip (maybe less) hike that offers nice, panoramic views of the park. Even though it’s a touristy hike, don’t forget your bear spray. I didn’t see any bears on this particular hike, but I did see a few off the Dempster Highway. This photo was taken at the end of the hike where you’ll find many large rock boulders. Heads up, some hikers turn around before the boulders appear as it seems like the path comes to an end at certain point— keep walking for another 5- 10 minutes and you’ll find yourself at the boulders. After the hike, you can choose to continue driving north via the Dempster Highway, winding through diverse landscapes, but you’ll eventually need to return the same way.
The Top of the World Highway is the 4th most popular activity outside of Dawson City behind Tombstone Territorial Park, The Dempster Highway and The Midnight Dome. For the record, the image was pulled from the internet because bad weather had limited my visibility. Let me be clear, The Dempster Highway is by far the best option if you only have time for one road trip, but TOTW is still a must-do experience. You should confirm with your rental car company whether they allow the drive without paying an extra fee to cover potential damages. From Dawson City, it’s a quick 10-minute ferry ride across the river to the start of the highway. I believe the ferry opens ~7am daily and it’s free— however, you should double check the hours of operation just to be sure. Most tourists drive the full 3.5-hours to Chicken, AK before returning to Dawson City or continuing deeper into Alaska. Chicken claims to be the last surviving Gold Rush town and is a popular rendezvous point with a population of 50 people at most. The US/CA border is open 9am- 9pm Yukon time and you’ll gain an hour when crossing the border into AK. There are very few, if any, stops for gas and food along the way. For those of you familiar with Skyline Drive situated on the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this drive is similar but at a higher elevation and more scenic. The road becomes gravel after the first 5- 10 miles, but it was still in good shape, and I felt very comfortable driving ~60mph most of the way. The last 30 miles became more challenging so be cautious. There are many viewpoints along the journey but check the weather because rain and fog can ruin the entire experience.
The Wow Factor Road Trip from Whitehorse to Skagway, AK
The drive from Whitehorse to Skagway, Alaska is one of diverse landscapes that will keep you reaching for your camera. The drive takes a little more than 2 hours with no stops. My recommendation would be to book a hotel in either Skagway or Haines, AK for Friday and Saturday evening and return to Whitehorse on Sunday— I explain more below. However, it’s still definitely worth the trip even if you’ve got one day. Unlike the drive to Dawson City, you will see more tourists, but there still aren’t many food and gas spots with the exception of Carcross.
The first stop is Emerald Lake, roughly 45 minutes south of Whitehorse. For the best photo of Emerald Lake, stop at the roadside overlook on the South Klondike Highway just before Carcross, allowing a view of the turquoise-green lake. The mountains might be hidden by the clouds in the morning, but should be more visible if you’re return is later in the day.
The Carcross Desert is about a 7 minute drive from Emerald Lake and the next stop in route. The desert is known as the “world’s smallest desert,” though it’s not technically a true desert. I would encourage you to get some exercise and walk up the hill (seen in the background of this photo) because the view from the top is awesome and much different than the photo which was taken about 5 minutes into the walk. You’ll want to snap many pictures from different angles in this area because my best photos were not the photos that I expected them to be.
The tiny town of Carcross is just after the desert and is another good place for a quick stroll. Within Carcross, there are a few touristy stores and ice cream shops. You can also find Bennett Beach, a small beach with a fantastic view in the residential area. It could be a little difficult to find without help from your phone. My last recommendation in Carcross would be to visit the Chilkoot Trail Authentic Sourdough Bakery if it’s open, for incredible Sourdough— make sure to ask the staff to cut an extra thick slice.
Within 5 minutes after leaving Carcross, the journey will start to become even more scenic as you make your way through Windy Arm, a road that winds through magnificent scenery and over White Pass, before arriving in Skagway. There are many pull-outs along the way, but my favorite was Bove Island Viewpoint. To capture the best photo after parking, skip the platform area and walk as if you were headed back to Carcross for 50 yards. Make sure to stay on the other side of the railway to stay safe and you’ll soon see a much more panoramic view compared to the platform area.
Tutshi Lake, and test your nerve at the Yukon Suspension Bridge—a pedestrian cable suspension bridge high above the Tutshi River Canyon. Windy Arm is a narrow, north-south extension of Tagish Lake in southern Yukon, known for its strong winds that can funnel waves and create a "natural wind tunnel." Pullouts along the way not only give you some outstanding photo opps, but also reveal the heroic and heartbreaking stories of the gold rush.
As you continue the drive south on the Klondike Highway past Tutshi Lake, the next and most touristy stop will be the Yukon Suspension Bridge. I believe it was $25 to enter and to be honest, this was probably my least favorite stop because it was inundated with buses full of cruise ship tourists coming up from Skagway. I took this photo from the deck area near the gift shop on the return back from Skagway to Whitehorse in the late afternoon when all of the buses had left the area. Another good photo opportunity is by standing on the bridge just behind the Canadian flag looking back towards the gift shop— it’s difficult to miss.
Just before reaching the US/CA border in Fraser, you will come across a series of unworldly, emerald-green lakes and inlets. There are a few places to pull over, but the area just before where the trains stop is probably the best photo opportunity. I’d recommend carefully climbing down the rocks to get closer to the water. This area often gets blocked by dense clouds so get these photos while the opportunity presents itself.
After passing the border, the majestic drive over White Pass to Skagway AK is around 40 minutes. Again, this part of the drive can frequently be covered in clouds so don’t hesitate to reach for your camera. There is a good chance that you’ll get trapped behind a tour bus or large truck which will obstruct your view down the mountain. I’d recommend pulling over for a few minutes to let them get far ahead so you can enjoy the scenery to its’ fullest.
Skagway, AK is definitely your typical cruise-ship, tourist town with 4-5 large cruise ships almost always docked nearby during the daytime. However, they always leave in the evening and arrive in the mornings. For the best photo opportunity without having the ships obstructing your view, I would recommend waking up around 4-5am when the ships, cars and tourists are nowhere in sight.
There are many outdoorsy activities to do while in Skagway, but the most iconic is the White Pass & Yukon Route Scenic Railway Tour. I’ve taken many scenic railway rides, and this ranks top 3 on my list. The ride is roughly 2 hours long and there are normally two departures per day, 8am and 12pm— I would recommend taking the 8am since there will be less people aboard and the lighting will be more optimal for photos. While boarding, I would let most people go first and then find one of the cars that is emptier. I’d also recommend sitting on the left side because the photo opportunities are far superior. After about 10 minutes into the ride, they will allow you to go outside on to the platforms for the rest of the trip, which is why it’s important to be in a less crowded car (you cannot go from car to car). I had the entire outside platform to myself and didn’t have to deal with pushy tourists. The quantity of photo opportunities can be overwhelming as you ascend into the mountains, but my favorite was just before entering the first tunnel, looking back at the rest of the train with mountains positioned in the background— it comes up fast so be ready to snap away.
I love all forms of exploring the great outdoors and that includes private boat excursions into the Alaskan seas. Most of the traditional cruises in Skagway don’t allow for the proper time to spot whales, orcas, eagles, otters and other wildlife. That said, if you’ve got the financial resources, I highly recommend trying a private tour such as Carpe Diem Excursions. The couple that owns Carpe Diem moved to Hawaii after I left, but there are other private options that offer customized tours. You provide them your preferences such as seeing wildlife, waterfalls, rugged landscapes or even fishing, and they will plan it accordingly. Private tours like these can range from $1k- $1,500 for 2-3 hours, but they typically permit up to 10 people, making the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity much more affordable. The guides are experts at spotting wildlife and getting close up to the animals which does not occur on the larger cruises.
While in Skagway, I’d also recommend the following activities;
Take a 30-minute scenic drive to Dyea, AK, a ghost town situated deep in the Alaskan forest. A few people live on individual small homesteads in the valley; however, it is largely abandoned and teeming with wildlife, especially grizzly bears. I loved this adventure but make sure to bring bear spray because you have to do some walking in order to reach a few destinations. The photo above is from the early part of the drive to Dyea— it’s not on a map, but you can’t miss it.
Early on the way to Dyea, you will pass by the Skagway Lookout which offers a decent (not fantastic) panoramic view looking over the town of Skagway. Try to visit during a time when there are no cruise ships obstructing the views.
Klondike Brewing Company is my suggestion for a large and lively atmosphere that offers good food and drinks. However, the Red Onion Saloon definitely has the reputation of being the most fun and rowdy place in town. Finding a seat isn’t easy!
Walking the town and exploring the stores is a popular activity. If you like to indulge in fudge from time to time, you cannot find much better spot for authentic fudge than Alaska and Yukon.
Regarding hotel options, there are many options in the area, but book it well in advance because they fill up quickly. I stayed at the Pack Train Inn which is located on Broadway in the heart of Skagway. The rooms were very nice and spacious but lacked AC— although I think most hotels are the same.
Haines Junction (Yukon) & Haines, Alaska
The remaining “must-do” excursion in the Yukon needs to be the drive from Whitehorse to Haines Junction, Yukon and finishing in Haines, Alaska. This is an epic road trip via lonely highways, surrounded by all types of adventure. I would recommend holding a minimum of three full days in case of inclement weather. There are a few hotels in Haines Junction, but I’d 2- and 3-bedroom houses via Airbnb are very affordable if you book well in advance.
On the first day, I would drive two hours west from Whitehorse to Haines Junction and do a scenic flight tour over Kluane Nati
onal Park. Kluane National Park is a protected place that is home to the largest non-polar icefields in the world, and 17 of Canada’s 20 tallest mountains—including Mount Logan, the highest peak in Canada. It’s virtually impossible to experience this massive park without a flight tour since there are almost no roads. The town of Haines Junction itself doesn’t have a main street so there isn’t much to do. However, visiting the Daku Cultural Centre to learn about the First Nations people is likely the only activity worth your time. Most people visit for the excursions waiting nearby.
Booking a prop plane flight tour is the coolest thing to do in the area. The company Icefield Discovery out of Silver City (45 minutes northwest of HJ) seemed to offer the best options for a potential glacier landing and it was the closest location to the park, not to mention they were very responsive. To be clear, Silver City is not an
actual city— just a small grassy runway with a few prop planes. You can join a small group tour which is normally 6 people max or book a private trip which is more expensive. I did a private tour (called Helio) to ensure that I could easily move around the seats to get the best photos, but it’s also not cheap. Do not sit in the front because the propellers will obstruct your view. If you select the group tour, I’d do your best to sit on the left side. The video above will give you a great sense of the icefields, but it’s so much majestic in person.
Note: The weather can be very unpredictable and even though it might be sunny on the runway, doesn’t mean it’s sunny at the summit. In fact, only 30% of flights actually make the glacier landing and many flights get canceled entirely— I did not make the landing because the visibility was too foggy. As mentioned above, make this your first activity so you’ve got time to reschedule if needed. Additionally, I would call the tour company 1-2 days prior to your flight and the morning of your flight, because they can tell you if the flight and landing are likely. Needless to say again, I would definitely have a backup plan in mind.
After the flight tour, you should have the rest of the day to explore the area. My list below will give you a few ideas, but I think you’ll find a lot more by doing more research as well. It’s possible to do everything listed below after the flight tour if you’re moving quickly or save them all for a separate day.
The first option is from Silver City— continue driving north on the Alaska Highway to marvel at the diverse landscapes. I turned around after 45 minutes because it felt like the best part had passed, but I could be wrong. I also don’t remember many stops for food or gas. This picture of a small desert was taken from the Thechal Dhal Visitor Centre, about 10 minutes north off the Alaska Highway after leaving Icefield Discovery.
The second option is to drive an hour south from Silver City back through Haines Junction to Kathleen Lake. You can take a small stroll along Kathleen Lake which borders Kluane National Park for the scenic mountain views or hike up the popular King’s Throne Trail for an even more stunning look at the lake and landscape. I would not do this hike alone or without bear spray. It’s also a good spot for camping and fishing with a few locals.
The last option is Klukshu Village, a traditional First Nations fishing camp located about 45 minutes south of Haines Junction and 30 minutes south of Kathleen Lake. Known for its annual salmon run, it is an important seasonal gathering place for the First Nations people. Klukshu is tiny, a shantytown if you will, located in the middle of the forest. Coming south from Haines Junction, you will need to pay very close attention to the turn-off which is a narrow dirt road that appears to lead you into a wooded area that will remind you of a scene from the Blair Witch Hunt. It’s even creepier if you arrive in the early morning hours when nobody is awake. The town is famous for its’ “ice bears” aka grizzlies that don’t hibernate during the winter. This photo is famous— to be honest, I was a little nervous to leave my car and walk around. I could sense the wildlife around me and the fact that it seemed like a ghost town, made it even spookier. I wouldn’t go out of your way to see Klukshu, but it’s worth a quick stop if you’re on the way to Haines, Alaska.
Last but definitely not least, I would put Haines, Alaska high on the list and drive 2.5 hours south from Haines Junction via Haines Rd. Side note— if you don’t have multiple weeks in Yukon, you could add Haines, AK to the Wow Factor itinerary and take a ferry from Skagway to Haines which is a very popular one-day activity among tourists. The downside is that you won’t have a car to explore Haines, AK on your own terms. Going back to the drive from Haines Junction to Haines AK; this is a super remote, but fun drive where you’ll be surrounded by epic scenery and the strong possibility of seeing wildlife crossings along the way— I saw a few black bears crossing the road. Additionally, the time will turn 1-hour earlier when crossing the US border, so you’ll have an extra hour to explore!
Haines, Alaska is a small, walkable fishing town that’s larger than Skagway, but much smaller than Whitehorse. I recommend staying at the Aspen Suites Hotel because of its’ central location and the rooms are large and clean. It’s also the only hotel with a gym and there is a decent grocery store across the street. Haines was one of my favorite spots because of its’ quaint downtown, its’ abundance of outdoorsy activities, spectacular views and limited tourism. This photo was taken from the Welcome To Haines Sign off Lutak Rd which is very easy to find and even walkable from downtown. The best time to capture this photo is during the evening hours when the lighting is more favorable. It’s rare to have completely clear days in Haines so take the photo first thing if it’s a nice day. While in town, I would also recommend trying some of the following places;
Deer Heart Restaurant: As of 2025, this was the trendiest dinner spot to be and offers impressive upscale dishes for being in the middle of nowhere. It’s a bit off-the-beaten-path, but still walkable from Main St.
Rusty Compass Coffee House: This was my favorite coffee spot because of its’ festive atmosphere and its’ wide variety of hot drinks.
Mountain Market Cafe: This is a local hot spot serving some of the most popular breakfast and coffee in the area. They even have a small supermarket offering a ton of healthy food options that’s reminiscent of Whole Foods.
Lighthouse Restaurant: This iconic restaurant is the closest restaurant to the water in Haines. I never had the chance to eat here, but it was always crowded.
Ft. Seward Drive Loop: A few blocks from Deer Heart restaurant, you’ll find Seward Drive which loops through a quiet neighborhood littered with Victorian style houses and bed & breakfasts. It’s a short but picturesque walk where you can burn off your dinner while snapping a few unique photos.
The most popular activity in Haines is visiting Chilkoot State Park in hopes of spotting grizzly bears! The park is located 10 miles from the town of Haines and is a beautiful, scenic drive along the Lutak Inlet. The big advantage to having a vehicle is that you can visit during the early morning and evening hours when there are few tourists because that’s also when bears are more active. Furthermore, the park is close enough to Haines that you can keep returning if you’re unlucky the first time. It took me 4x to finally spot the family of bears above, and it was only because I arrived at 5am when mama bear took her cubs fishing for salmon. Once you learn their routines, it’s easier to predict their movement in the future. If you don’t have a vehicle, you can join a tour to the park. However, it’s much more crowded during the daytime and can feel more like a zoo at times. That said, I would recommend hiring Rainbow Glacier Adventures and ask for a private 3-4 hour tour with Karla Kennedy if she’s available. She can customize your tour based on preferences and will adapt to your schedule if you’d like to start early in the morning. Karla is also a professional photographer and will bring you to all of the best photo locations in the area taking into consideration when the lighting is best.
The photo here is towards the entrance of Chilkoot State Park and it’s frequented by fisherman if you look closely. The river is a bright emerald-green in the early morning hours. It’s common to see both fisherman and bears sharing the river at the same time. You can also drive to the end of the park where you’ll find Chilkoot Lake Park Recreational Site, another great photo opportunity. Here you’ll find kayaking rentals and many people fishing for the day. Make sure to bring bear spray if you go for a hike.
The photo of the shore was taken on the drive to Chilkoot State Park shortly before reaching the Lutak Bridge. You won’t find the traditional pull-out, so you’ll have to park on the side of the road and walk towards the water. The advantage to arriving here in the early morning is the mist could make your photo appear more dreamier. However, the mountain background will look more like a shadow. Or you can visit in the evening when there won’t be any mist, but the mountains will be more sharp and defined.
More fantastic photo opportunities can be found by visiting Chilkat State Park which is in the opposite direction of Chilkoot State Park. You can do this activity alone or with a tour guide like Karla. She took me here first thing in the morning when the sun was perfectly hitting the rocks. To get this photo, you’ll pull off Mud Bay Rd and walk 50 yards towards the wate, you can’t really miss it.
This is another picture from Chilkat State Park, but looking the opposite direction from the picture above. In summary, I probably missed half of the things to see and do in Haines, so I recommend doing a lot more research. Sites that I typically use to help in my planning include GetYourGuide and ToursByLocals, although I don’t think there were any tours being offered by the latter while in Haines. Once you’re ready to leave Haines, you can return to Whitehorse by driving back the same way through Haines Junction or catching a car ferry to Skagway and driving the same route as the Wow Factor Road Trip— it’s much shorter, but book the ferry well in advance to be safe.
I added extra pictures and videos below for your enjoyment. Most are from Tombstone Territorial Park, Dawson City and the Carcross Desert. I hope you enjoyed reading this blog and that you feel more inspired to visit Yukon, Canada.
