9-Nights Highlights of the Yukon Road Trip

Dawson City

Dawson City is a buzz of activity during the summer months. Tourists from all over the world make it a destination or pass through on the way over the Top of The World Highway to Alaska. The town, which was established on the banks of the Yukon River in 1897, exploded to forty thousand inhabitants the next year when news of the gold strike on Bonanza Creek reached the outside world, making it the largest city west of Winnipeg and north of Seattle. It was the capital of the Yukon Territory until 1953 and today is a national historic site. Many of the buildings have been restored to their original grandeur, and new structures are built to reflect the historical theme, adding to the charm and appeal of this community one hundred and fifty miles south of the Arctic Circle.

Tok

To discover how Tok got its name, stop by the Mainstreet Visitors Center. Tok was designated a Presidential Townsite in 1946, the same year the Alcan was open to civilians, and a roadhouse was opened in the community. Tanacross Indian village is where the Eagle Trail crossed the Tanana River. Sternwheelers once plied the river. The large paved airstrip was built during WWII to handle aircraft being ferried to Russia. It remains a base for summer fire fighting crews. The Tok Race of Champions Sled Dog Race, one of the oldest in the state, is held each March. Tok is one of the centers of dog breeding, training and mushing. Tok is a winter playground for snowmachiners, with many snowmobile activities.

Kluane National Park

Kluane National Park takes up the entire southwestern corner of the Yukon Territory 80 mi/130 km west of Whitehorse. It is an immense wilderness containing more than 4,000 glaciers. Canada's highest peak, Mount Logan—at 19,550 ft/5,960 m, the second-tallest mountain on the North American continent—and the largest nonpolar ice field in the world are in the park.

Excellent hiking trails provide captivating views of mountains, lakes, valleys, ice fields, glaciers and tundra. Keep an eye out for grizzly bears and Dall sheep. If you don't see the sheep from the road, you can stop at the Sheep Mountain Visitor Center—it's at Mile 1,058/Kilometer 1,707 of the Alaska Highway—to observe them through a telescope.

In spring, you can crosscountry ski on the park's well-marked trails with the mountains towering behind you or hook up with an outfitter for some really adventurous wilderness skiing. At Klukshu Creek, there's a First Nations village considered to be the oldest settlement in this part of the territory.

The scenic community of Haines Junction is the gateway to Kluane National Park and home of Parks Canada's informative visitors center. The center is across from the Village Bakery and Deli, where you'll find good food and, occasionally, live music. In June, Haines Junction also hosts the popular Kluane Mountain Bluegrass Festival.

Haines

Alaska's heritage comes alive in the handcrafted artistry of the Tlingit Indians and in the lively performances of the Chilkat Dancers, with their brightly painted tribal masks. Get a glimpse of the town’s gold-rush history in local museums. Visit the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve—Haines boasts the world’s largest concentration of the magnificent birds, drawn to the area by the salmon-rich waters. Take a boat trip on Lake Chilkoot or a glacier country flightseeing trip.

Whitehorse

One hundred years ago 30,000 reckless adventurers fought their way up the Yukon River, by boat, on their voyage to Gold fields. Many struggled through the choppy Whitehorse Rapids. Fearless men and women traversed great distances to arrive at their goal, the Klondike. Whitehorse, Capital of the Yukon, is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in Canada. Named by some "the Wilderness City", Whitehorse nestles on the banks of the famed Yukon River surrounded by mountains and clear mountain lakes. Whitehorse takes its name from the frothing waves of the river rapids, thought by stampeders to resemble manes of White Horses. While the turn of the Century aura still hovers and vestiges of proud history remain, Whitehorse is now a thoroughly contemporary city of 24,000 people. Whitehorse boasts a healthy arts and cultural community; festivals, events, fishing, shopping, attractions, restaurants and quality visitor services are here to enjoy. Long warm summer days and evenings provide the perfect background to explore this city.