Klondike Kluane Route

Whitehorse offers all the amenities of a big city, with an endearing small-town personality.  Sightseeing and outdoor activities are many and we recommend you spend at least two full days here to explore all there is to offer.  
 

Sightseeing	Activities
S.S. Klondike National Historic Site MacBride Museum of Yukon History Yukon Transportation Museum Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre Old Log Church Museum Waterfront Trolley Whitehorse Fish Ladder Copperbelt Railway and Mining Museum Miles Canyon Yukon Artists at Work Gallery Yukon Wildlife Preserve	Hiking Dog sled kennel visits and hiking with huskies Mountain Biking Canoe/kayak the Yukon River Play a round of golf at midnight Horseback Riding Fishing Nordic Eclipse Hot Springs

Once you've explored opportunities within Whitehorse City, maybe consider a day trip to the Southern Lakes Region.  Named for the interconnected lakes and rivers that form the headwaters of the mighty Yukon River, this region is also home to diverse landscapes, from desert dunes to snow-capped mountains. Villages to explore include Carcross, Mt Lorne, Tagish, Teslin, Marsh Lake & Atlin.

A soak at the end of the day at the Nordic Eclipse Hot Springs (approx 30 minutes north of Whitehorse) might also be an option for the travel weary.

 

Places of interest along your route are Carmacks, the Tagé Cho Hudan Interpretitive Centre and scenic riverfront boardwalk.  At Five Finger Rapids, a boardwalk and stairs lead down to the Yukon River for a view of these famous rapids.  Other pullouts along the way offer views over mountains and valleys.

Dawson City's population was at its peak during the 19th Century Klondike Gold Rush and, while the population now numbers fewer than 2000 people, many of the buildings from that era have been preserved.  Other areas have been reconstructed with frontier-style facades, making you feel you've stepped back more than a century in time. Dawson City has three private campgrounds and a Territorial Park campground just across the river so campers have serious choices about where to stay.

A day spent in and around Dawson City is like stepping back into the days of the gold rush. You can even go pan for your own gold at a free claim not far out of town.  You could really spend a few days exploring here but here are some suggestions:

Signtseeing

Claim National Historic Site Dredge No. 4 National Historic Site	Fort Cudahy & Fort Constantine Historic Site
Dawson City Museum Discovery	Robert Service Cabin
Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre	Jack London Museum
Forty Mile	Diamond Tooth Gertie’s

Activities

Parks Canada Tours	Klondike Spirit cruise on the Yukon River
Gold Panning at Free Claim #6

Tours and Further Afield

Tour the Goldfields
Visitors can spend the day exploring the goldfields with a visit to Dredge No.4 National Historic Site and the Discovery Claim National Historic Site. They can also try their hand at panning for gold.

The Stories of Dawson City
Many of Dawson City’s historic buildings are managed by Parks Canada who offer a range of walking tours. From the Commissioner’s Residence to the Palace Grand Theatre, interpretive guides bring to life the stories of Dawson. There are also poetry readings at the Robert Service Cabin or guided hikes that incorporate learning about the bard and listening to some of his poems. The perfect way to finish the day is at Diamond Tooth Gertie’s to take in a can-can show.

Tombstone Territorial Park
Located about an hour north of the Dempster Corner turnoff, Tombstone Territorial Park is one of the Yukon’s premier parks. Its a unique wilderness of rugged peaks, permafrost landforms and abundant wildlife. A good starting point is the Interpretive Centre, where interpreters offer local knowledge, park and travel information, special events and tips for wildlife viewing from the highway. The park is especially beautiful in late August when the fall colours appear.

A free ferry across the Yukon River connects to the Top of the World Highway. The drive loops through Alaska via the Taylor Highway (here you can connect through Tok for a few days in interior Alaska) and then back to the Yukon where travellers will re-enter Canada. 

The drive then continues along the Alaska Highway through a breathtaking landscape to Beaver Creek, Canada’s westernmost community for an overnight stop. It continues through Burwash Landing (visit the Kluane Museum of Natural History) and Destruction Bay to Haines Junction.

See and do:

Kluane National Park and Reserve	Kathleen Lake
Kluane Lake	Dä Ku (Our House)
Tachäl Dhäl Visitor Centre	St. Elias Convention Centre
Glacier Flightseeing	Hiking in Kluane National Park & Reserve
White Water Rafting on the Tatshenshini River	Fishing

 

After so much driving between Dawson City and Haines Junction, you might like to chill out for a day in this wilderness town and soak in the scenery.  Many people are a little confused between Haines and Haines Junction.  Haines Junction is in Canada and lies a point where you can head south to Haines and  the Alaskan border, north-west to mainland Alaska or east to Whitehorse. If you're in the mood for swimming or a picnic, Pine Lake is less than 10km from Haines Junction.  You may even elect to camp at the Territorial Park campground there. Haines Junction is also a good base from which to explore Kluane National Park, home to Dall sheet, mountain goats, moose, caribou, bears and numerous species of small mammals and birds.

CanaDream Club Partners:

• Mountain Flying Service
• Alaska Fjordlines
• Sockeye Cycle Co, Skagway

If you are short for time on this itinerary, a quick trip back to Whitehorse may be in order.  However, if you can spare a few more days we recommend you extend this trip by travelling to Haines then back to Whitehorse through Skagway and Carcross.  See Day 10 extension for more information.

Today you'll be welcomed back into Alaska shortly after crossing the border at Dalton Cache.  It's your last chance to have your photo taken by the Welcome to Alaska sign. 45 minutes further on, you'll arrive in Haines, the Adventure Capital of Alaska! Named for Francina Haines of the Presbyterian Home Missions Board, the history and culture of Haines is truly fascinating. Take a self-guided walking tour, shop at one-of-a-kind gift shots, engage in outdoor activities or take a guided tour - the choices are endless.

The ferry times from Haines to Skagway vary by month so it's best to check it out when planning you trip.  You may need to schedule in another night in Skagway if you can't book a morning arrival. View the Ferry Schedule. 

Skagway is home to gold-rush era buildings now preserved as part of a National Historical Park. To familiarize yourself with the town, perhaps a Skagway Street Car City Tour should be considered.  This will take you to all points of interest in and around Skagway.  A popular choice of tour is also the Yukon & White Pass Railway, these days mainly pulled by a diesel engine, which travels though breathtaking mountain sceneries including glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels, trestles and historic sites.  If you choose to spend more than a day or two in Skagway, a boat trip down the fjords to Juneau, the USA's only capital city not accessible by road.

Open year-round, enjoy the Nordic Eclipse Hot Springs on the outskirts of Whitehorse after two weeks on the road. Or, if you’re curious about the wildlife you’ve seen on your journey, consider checking out the Yukon Wildlife Preserve which features 11 species of animals.

Whitehorse is a beautiful city where you can enjoy intimate meals, hot and cold drinks and experience Yukon excitement such as mushing excursions in the winter and more viewing of the northern lights if you haven’t squeezed enough in.

Check out some of our other Yukon itineraries.