Yukon Territory

The Yukon is nature unleashed. Straddling the Arctic Circle, this vast Canadian territory is home to less than 30,000 people and scores more bears, elk, moose, beavers, etc. It's a mostly untouched land of vast rivers, mountains, glaciers and tundra. And it has a backstory: the rich cultures of Native people and the more recent and compelling saga of the Yukon gold rush at the end of the 19th century. Its second city, Dawson, combines funky charm with a preserved frontier-era downtown that today thrives with its own art community and vibe. There's no static past here. Many people from around the world come to the Yukon during the almost ...

The Yukon is nature unleashed. Straddling the Arctic Circle, this vast Canadian territory is home to less than 30,000 people and scores more bears, elk, moose, beavers, etc. It's a mostly untouched land of vast rivers, mountains, glaciers and tundra. And it has a backstory: the rich cultures of Native people and the more recent and compelling saga of the Yukon gold rush at the end of the 19th century. Its second city, Dawson, combines funky charm with a preserved frontier-era downtown that today thrives with its own art community and vibe. There's no static past here. Many people from around the world come to the Yukon during the almost endless days of summer to canoe or kayak the fabled Yukon River. Others explore rugged roads such as the Dempster that cross the Arctic Circle and give real meaning to "majesty." In the south, the famous Alaska Highway is traversed by dreamers, holiday makers and others, some stopping off in surprising Whitehorse with its own vibrant cultural community or linking up with Alaska ferries at Skagway or Haines. Kluane National Park is an arduous challenge but rewards with the Earth's largest sea of glaciers.

About the Expert

Ryan Ver Berkmoes has written many books for Lonely Planet, including Bali & Lombok and the Southeastern Alaska and Western Canada sections for LP's Canada guide.