The Yukon Territory which borders Alaska in northwest Canada is one of the least densely populated regions in the continent. A nature lovers dream, the Yukon presents landscapes in every form discover mountains, valleys, lakes, glaciers, deserts and forests which stretch as far as the eye can see. The Yukon embraces winter with a range of festivals and activities on offer including dog sledding, snowmobiling, snow shoeing and ice fishing but its main attraction is of course the magical northern lights which can be seen frequently during the dark winter months. During the summer months sunshine is abundant in the Yukon as you would expect with the famous midnight sun casting its rays for 24 hours melting the snow and enticing locals into the great outdoors. For those wishing to visit this enticing location we have gathered some of the most picture worthy places worth visiting to capture that perfect shot.
The Midnight Sun
Summer is endless in the Yukon, the seasonal solstice welcomes with it the midnight sun bringing with it 24 hours of sunlight from June to September. The summer months bring with it an unlimited amount of time to explore and photograph the diverse landscapes of the Yukon whilst basking in the sun’s rays. The Yukon offers visitors an array of options to enjoy the sun including festivals like the annual Dawson City Music festival, Discovery Day, Aboriginal Day and Canada Day festivities just to name a few. Take a hike, explore biking trails or indulge in the countless lakes and rivers you can swim, fish and paddle in. The farther north you travel the longer the days get and in some regions the midnight sun won’t set for weeks. No matter how you choose to spend your time in the Yukon one guarantee is a generous serving of extra vitamin D.
Kluane National Park
Kluane National Park is in southwestern Yukon and is home to Mount Logan, the highest peak in Canada reaching almost 6,000 meters. Most of this peaceful region is covered by mountains and glaciers, whilst there is an abundance of forest covering the park not many trees grow in the higher elevation. One of the most picture worthy places in Kluane National Park is Kathleen Lake, get in early if you can as this spot is easy to access making it very popular in the summer. For those wishing to take to the air flightseeing tours offer visitors a bird’s eye view of the area including the picture worthy Lowell Lake and Lowell Glacier which is one of the largest glaciers in the park.
Dawson city
Dawson City was once a swampland which was overrun by gold miners during the 1896 goldrush leading to an increase in business and housing to expand into what we see today. Modern Dawson City keeps the spirit of its past alive with colourful frontier styled buildings lining the streets making for an ideal photo. A similar place worth noting is the Westmark Inn which has been designed to replicate the appearance of the buildings present during the gold rush era. Just 10 minutes out of town you can drive to the top of the Midnight Dome – an incredible vantage point to admire the panoramic views of the region and take some incredible photos of course. If you happen to visit around June, you’ll discover the ‘Yukon River Quest’ which is the longest canoe and kayak race in the world stretching 715 km from Whitehorse to Dawson City.
The Northern Lights
Visitors to the Yukon during the autumn and winter months are usually there for one reason and that’s to witness the northern lights. Your best chances of capturing a photo of this mystical sight are from August to April, ensure your camera is ready for the pulsing streamers of green, yellow, blue and magenta as they sway above you. Whilst there is a plethora of suitable viewing spots around the Yukon one of the best places to capture the northern lights is The Midnight Dome in Dawson City with its elevation and unobstructed views. Whitehorse is also perfect with its minimal light pollution you can find a selection of northern lights tour companies and knowledgeable guides happy to showcase their favourite local viewing spots.
Whitehorse
Whitehorse is Yukon’s capital and despite being home to only 25,000 people the place is thriving with picture worthy sites and experiences to be had. One such experience is canoeing down the Yukon River which runs through the town, the river itself its quite beautiful but travelling on it you’ll discover many great landscapes and scenery surrounding you. Just minutes from Whitehorse you can find the Miles Canyon, this great river was once an untamed narrow chute of ferocious rapids but has since been regulated via a hydroelectric dam. Its well worth a wander around the canyon with bike trails, hiking routes, kayaking and the suspension bridge there’s plenty to see and do. If you’re looking for something a little quirkier there is an annual winter festival in Whitehorse called the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous where you can witness a mix of sporting activities, competitions and entertainment such as the frozen turkey bowling – now that’s definitely worth a picture or two.
If you have been inspired to visit the Yukon and discover some truly one of a kind experiences, call us and book today.
