Whitehorse: Yukon History, Trails and River

Whitehorse combines insights into Yukon history with an extensive trail network and river experiences. There are many different ways to explore: historic riverboats, museums, public art, trails through snowy forests, and a tour on the Yukon River. You can decide which of these will shape your stay based on your interests.

Riverboat History and Culture

The S.S. Klondike is a large sternwheeler on the banks of the Yukon River, next to the Robert Campbell Bridge. The ship is on dry land. It was designated a National Historic Site of Canada to recognize inland waterway transportation in the Yukon Territory and represent Yukon sternwheelers and other vessels. So it is not only the individual ship that is in focus: its designation connects it with the history of navigation in the region.

The MacBride Museum is the Yukon’s first museum and offers 11 unique galleries. The Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre offers a different perspective on the region: it provides insights into the Yukon during the Ice Age, including ice ages, extinct animals, and First Nations legends. Visitors interested in history will find a range of subjects here—from inland waterway transportation to the Ice Age and First Nations legends.

Main Street also contributes to Whitehorse’s cultural character. Public artworks there honor the Yukon’s rich history. This gives you a choice when planning your trip between museum visits and public art; both offer their own perspectives, without requiring you to focus on just one historical subject.

Trails for Different Travel Plans

Whitehorse has an estimated 230 km of city-wide significant trails, as well as 850 km of local and neighborhood trails. If trails are an important part of your trip, these figures give you an idea of the network’s breadth. For a single outing, the specific route length can also be useful: the nearby Long Lake Loop Trail is about 2.8 km long and connects to a larger trail network in Riverdale.

The Whitehorse Nordic Centre has nearly 100 km of groomed trails through snowy forests, with mountain views. Routes range from beginner to expert level. This is a great option if you are specifically looking for trails in a winter setting; the offerings cater to different experience levels. You can consider this experience as a focus in its own right, alongside Whitehorse’s cultural attractions and other trails.

Experience the Yukon River

Yukon River Tours departs five minutes from downtown Whitehorse. The tour follows the historic Yukon River into the Yukon wilderness. It begins at Schwatka Lake, with views of Grey Mountain and Mount McIntyre, passes through Miles Canyon, and continues along the Yukon River. Alongside the museums and trails, this offers a river experience that takes in the canyon, the river, and the surrounding landscape.

When choosing your vacation rental, you can consider which of these sides of Whitehorse matters most for your trip: cultural history, trails in the city and its surroundings, the groomed trails at the Nordic Centre, or a tour on the Yukon River. These highlights offer different reasons to discover Whitehorse and can help you plan your trip around the experiences that interest you most.

Other destinations to consider for your trip are Dawson City, Beaver Creek, and Haines Junction.

For the broader travel overview: Yukon.