Whitehorse and Miles Canyon
City Of Whitehorse / Miles Canyon (Yukon River) · Whitehorse, Yukon
Whitehorse is the capital of Yukon and sits on the Yukon River, a few minutes from Miles Canyon, a narrow basalt canyon just upstream of town. In 1898 thousands of Klondike stampeders had to steer homemade boats through the canyon and the rapids below, and many were wrecked. A dam built in 1958 tamed the rapids, but the river still runs fast and green between the rock walls. You can cross the Robert Lowe Suspension Bridge, walk trails along the rim and follow a path toward the gold rush site of Canyon City. In town are the Beringia centre, museums, a fishway where salmon climb past the dam in late summer, and shops and restaurants. The city is also a base for northern lights in the dark months and long midnight-sun days in June. It suits walkers, history fans and families. Allow two to three hours for the canyon, or two to three days for the city. Winter is deeply cold, so dress for it properly.
Miles Canyon Road, Whitehorse, Yukon, Y1A 0A1, Canada
Miles Canyon, the suspension bridge and the trails are open all year and free, in daylight, though winter snow and ice can make footing hard. Museums and attractions in Whitehorse keep their own hours, and many are seasonal, open longer in summer and shorter or closed in winter. Confirm hours for the Beringia centre, the fishway and other museums with Yukon tourism or the venue before you plan around them. Light matters more than hours: June gives almost 24 hours of daylight, while December gives only a few. Aurora tours operate in the dark season, commonly late August to April, and need clear skies, so confirm bookings and weather.
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