Yukon

Canada's Yukon Territory is situated in the northwestern corner of Canada's mainland, surrounded by mountains and shares a border with Alaska. Despite all the Yukon travel possibilities, the Yukon is always associated with the Klondike Gold Rush. (This gold rush started in August 1896 with the accidental discovery of gold on a tributary of the Klondike River.) For many Canadians the Yukon is associated with the author and broadcaster Pierre Burton who wrote extensively about the Yukon; he was born and raised there.

The mountains that enclose the Yukon include the Mackenzie, Selwyn and Richardson Mountains. These mountains include Mount Logan, the highest peak in Canada at 5959 m (19,551 ft.)

Yukon Travel Regions are focused on two cities and the surrounding wilderness areas.

Whitehorse is the Yukon Territory's capital and where 2/3 of people live. Key Yukon attractions are Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre, the MacBride Museum (Klondike gold rush era displays and natural history information), and the SS Klondike steam wheeler.

Whitehorse also sponsors many types of festivals from tributes to its native heritage to popular music. The Yukon Arts Centre routinely hosts exhibitions and theatre performances.

Yukon adventure travel packages can include Aurora Viewing, Boating, Canoeing, Dogmushing, Fishing, Hiking, Backpacking and Mountaineering, Horseback Riding, Learning Adventures, Rafting, Sea Kayaking, Skiing and Snowshoeing, and Snowmobiling and can be booked out of Whitehorse.

Dawson City was the Yukon Territory capital until 1952. Klondike Gold Rush mania added about 100,000 people to in the 1890s. Like most booms, there was a bust and Dawson City relies on tourism and is known for its Western style facades. The history is fascinating and Dawson City has captured the imaginations of writers like Robert Service, author of The Cremation of Sam McGee, and Jack Landon, author of White Fang.

Dawson City attractions are open mid-May to mid-September and should be confirmed before arriving. To truly understand that you are in the arctic, try the Midnight Dome Road. It overlooks Dawson City and the Yukon River and is almost 3000 feet above sea level. This lets you see the midnight sun on June 21 where the sun does not actually set; it dips down behind the Ogilvie Mountain range and comes back up.

Teslin is halfway between Whitehorse and Watson Lake where you can learn and/or do fishing, trapping and carving. Carcross is located just south of Whitehorse

Watson Lake is an important stop on the Alaska Highway for those coming from British Columbia.

The Elias Mountain range and Kluane National Park Preserve contains Mount Logan

Pan for gold yourself along the Silver Trail. Visit Mayo and Keno to learn about mining.

This is the final frontier of northern wilderness.