Yukon Destinations
As the Yukon Territory capital, Whitehorse is a bustling city of more than 24,000 people and the business and supply hub for the territory. It is located at Mile 918 on the Alaska Highway and nearby roads lead to Skagway and Haines Alaska. Whitehorse is a river city, sitting on the banks of the mighty Yukon River, and a great place to base a visit to the Yukon.
Named for notable pioneer geologist George Dawson, this historic town was the site of the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush, when thousands of adverturers from around the world flocked to the rustic camp to look for their fortunes in gold. Few were successful, although creek dredging took place for many years -- through the middle of the 20th century. Dawson is now a tourist destination for about 60,000 people each year, which visit a mostly restored town with many attractions. the year-round population is under 1,500.
This highway junction lies along the Alaska Highway just north of the border with British Columbia. It was a vital point during highway construction during World War II. Now, it's a prime stopping point on the highway trip, and a place to play golf, go fishing and jet boating on the Liard River, with motels and dining places. Look for the famous Signpost Forest and the Northern Lights Space and Science Centre.
Sitting in the scenic Shakwak Valley in the southwestern Yukon, Haines Junction provides a scenic place to stay while traveling pn the Alaska Highway north of Whitehorse. To the west rise the St. Elias Mountains, and the Kluane National Park and Reserve. Mt. Logan, Canada's highest mountain, is nearby. It a place to stop and stay along the Alaska Highway, and is the location of the junction with the highway to Haines Alaska. be sure to stop at the federal and territorial tourist information center.
A lakeside community along the Alaska Highway, Teslin is home to the Inland Tlingit.
The town offers motel accommodations. The Nisutlin Bay Bridge, with seven spans, is the longest bridge on the Alaska Highway.
Three museums offer a good look at native life in this interior Yukon region, as well as a wildlfe gallery.
The famed Dempster Highway was opened to traffic in 1979, a road linking Dawson City, past the Arctic Circle, to the Arctic town of Inuvik. This is one of the great northern journeys, best taken by tourists before early snows fall, or after the river ice breaks up in the spring. Eagle Plains is an interesting stopping point just south of the Arctic Circle. Stay in campgrounds along the way, or atmotels at Eagle Plains and Inuvik.
A stopping place for truckers and intrepid tourists, Eagle Plains was built to service the long stretch of the Dempster Highway. It has overnight accommodations, fuel, and a restaurant. The highway is open year-round with ice bridges over the rivers instead of taking ferries.
