Yukon Travel Guide: Kluane National Park, Whitehorse & Dawson City

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast This episode is supported by Smart Travel a new podcast from Nerd Wallet. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Follow Smart Travel wherever you get your podcasts.Smart Travel Podcast Episode Title: Yukon Travel Guide: Kluane National Park, Whitehorse & Dawson City Hosts: David Brodie and Tim Johnson Series: Travel in 10 Destination: Yukon Territory, Canada Episode Overview Canada's Yukon Territory is a destination of remarkable wilderness, fascinating history and small communities with distinctive personalities. Home to Canada's highest mountain, thousands of glaciers and the legendary Klondike Gold Rush, the Yukon offers experiences that are increasingly difficult to find elsewhere. In this episode of Travel in 10, hosts David Brodie and Tim Johnson explore three of the Yukon's most compelling destinations: Kluane National Park, Whitehorse and Dawson City. Drawing on more than half a dozen visits to the territory, Tim shares his favourite experiences, from landing on a vast icefield beneath Mount Logan to discovering boutique accommodations, gourmet wilderness dining and historic Gold Rush saloons. Along the way, David and Tim discuss why Canada's north deserves a place on more travellers' itineraries. Whether you're planning a Yukon road trip, looking for a memorable outdoor adventure or interested in experiencing the territory's history and culture, this episode offers practical recommendations for exploring Canada's northwest. Topics Covered Exploring Kluane National Park: Glaciers, mountains, wildlife and wilderness experiences in one of Canada's most impressive national parks. Yukon Flightseeing Adventures: Discovering the territory's immense icefields from helicopters and small aircraft. Wilderness Without Roughing It: Comfortable mountain lodges, boutique hotels and exceptional dining in remote destinations. Discovering Whitehorse: Hot springs, local artisans, restaurants and the Yukon's largest city. The Klondike Gold Rush: Exploring Dawson City's historic streets and surviving Gold Rush traditions. Unique Yukon Experiences: Gold panning, can-can performances, wilderness foraging and the famous Sourtoe Cocktail. Top Things to See & Do Kluane National Park and Reserve One of Canada's most spectacular wilderness destinations, Kluane National Park is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to vast glaciers, rugged mountain ranges and extraordinary opportunities for outdoor adventure. Visitors can explore the region through hiking, kayaking, canoeing and guided excursions. For travellers looking to experience the scale of the landscape without undertaking a multi-day wilderness expedition, flightseeing offers an alternative. Mount Logan At 5,959 metres (19,551 feet), Mount Logan is Canada's highest mountain. Located within Kluane National Park, its immense summit and surrounding glaciers are among the highlights of aerial sightseeing excursions. Tim recalls a particularly memorable flight that landed on an icefield, allowing him to step out onto the snow and experience the mountain landscape firsthand. Kaskawulsh Glacier The Kaskawulsh Glacier is one of the remarkable glaciers accessible on scenic flights through the Kluane region. Tim recommends experiencing the landscape from the air to appreciate the extraordinary scale of the territory's mountains and icefields. Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs, Whitehorse Located outside Whitehorse, Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs offers a relaxing contrast to the Yukon's rugged wilderness. Its geothermal pools provide an opportunity to unwind after hiking, sightseeing or exploring the surrounding region. For David and Tim, both enthusiasts of hot springs and spa experiences, this is a particularly appealing stop on a Yukon itinerary. Dawson City Historic District Dawson City was at the centre of the Klondike Gold Rush in the late 1890s, when thousands of prospectors travelled north in hopes of finding their fortunes. Today, the town retains much of its historic atmosphere, including unpaved streets, wooden sidewalks and preserved frontier-era buildings. Despite having visited more than 100 countries, Tim describes Dawson City as one of his favourite small towns anywhere in the world. Gold Panning at Claim No. 6 Visitors can try their luck searching for gold at Claim No. 6 near Dawson City. Gold-panning equipment is available to rent locally, making this an accessible way to experience a tradition that helped shape Yukon's history. Where to Eat & Drink Village Bakery & Deli, Haines Junction A popular gathering place for residents and visitors exploring the Kluane region. The bakery offers hot and cold food, with outdoor picnic tables providing a relaxed setting to enjoy a meal. Mount Logan Lodge, Haines Junction Tim highlights the lodge's gourmet dining as one of the unexpected pleasures of visiting Kluane. During his stay, he joined the chef on a foraging excursion, gathering ingredients that were incorporated into the evening's dinner. Bombay Peggy's, Dawson City Housed in a former brothel, Bombay Peggy's is known for its distinctive atmosphere and cocktail bar. It's an entertaining place to experience a contemporary take on Dawson City's colourful past. Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall, Dawson City A historic gambling hall featuring live entertainment, including can-can performances inspired by the Klondike Gold Rush era. Towns to Explore Haines Junction A small community near Kluane National Park, Haines Junction serves as a convenient base for exploring the surrounding mountains, glaciers and wilderness. Despite its remote location, visitors will find comfortable accommodation, local dining and access to guided outdoor experiences. Whitehorse The Yukon's capital and largest city is much more than a place to arrive before heading into the wilderness. Tim recommends spending time exploring the city itself, from walking along the Yukon River to discovering its restaurants and local artisan workshops. During one visit, he participated in a glassblowing experience, highlighting the creative community that visitors can discover in Whitehorse. Dawson City Located farther north, Dawson City offers a particularly distinctive Yukon experience. Its preserved Gold Rush character, historic hotels, entertainment venues and unusual local traditions make it an essential stop for travellers interested in the territory's history. Where to Stay Kluane National Park and Haines Junction Mount Logan Lodge A rustic mountain lodge offering comfortable accommodations within reach of Kluane National Park. Tim stayed in a suite with a private balcony overlooking the mountains. The lodge also provides access to outdoor experiences, including guided excursions, short hikes and foraging activities. Its combination of wilderness surroundings and elevated dining makes it an appealing choice for travellers who want to experience Kluane without camping. Whitehorse Raven Inn A contemporary boutique hotel in downtown Whitehorse. Tim recommends Raven Inn for travellers seeking stylish accommodations within walking distance of the city's restaurants and attractions. Dawson City Midnight Sun Hotel One of several Dawson City accommodations recommended by Tim. An option for travellers who want to explore the town's historic attractions while enjoying modern conveniences. Eldorado Hotel A Dawson City hotel that Tim has stayed at during his visits. He recalls enjoying a particularly spacious Jacuzzi suite, although he isn't entirely certain which hotel offered it. Triple J Hotel Another accommodation option recommended by Tim, providing a comfortable base for exploring Dawson City and the surrounding Klondike region. Aurora Inn A Dawson City accommodation included among Tim's recommendations for travellers looking for modern comforts in this historic northern town. Can't-Miss Experiences Take a Flightseeing Tour Over Kluane's Glaciers For Tim, seeing Kluane National Park from the air is among the most memorable experiences in the Yukon. Helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft tours offer perspectives of the territory's enormous glaciers, mountain peaks and icefields that are difficult to appreciate from the ground. Some excursions also include glacier landings. Experience Wilderness Foraging During his stay at Mount Logan Lodge, Tim joined the chef to collect berries and other ingredients from the surrounding landscape. These ingredients were later incorporated into dinner, connecting the dining experience directly to the Yukon's natural environment. Try Gold Panning in Dawson City Experience a small part of the Klondike Gold Rush by trying your hand at gold panning. Claim No. 6 offers visitors the opportunity to search for gold in an area that continues to attract prospectors. Visit Diamond Tooth Gerties Enjoy a lively evening of entertainment at one of Dawson City's best-known historic attractions. Its can-can performances celebrate the entertainment traditions associated with the Gold Rush boomtown. Join the Sourtoe Cocktail Club Perhaps Dawson City's most unusual tradition, the Sourtoe Cocktail involves drinking a beverage containing a preserved human toe. The rules are simple: the toe must touch your lips. Participants who complete the ceremony become members of the Sourtoe Cocktail Club and receive a certificate documenting their achievement. Tim has participated several times and considers the experience an essential part of visiting Dawson City. David compares the tradition to kissing the cod in Newfoundland, another unusual Canadian travel ritual. Gateway to Canada's North Whitehorse provides an accessible starting point for exploring the Yukon. From the capital, travellers can head west toward Haines Junction and Kluane National Park or travel north to Dawson City and the historic Klondike region. Unlike Canada's other two northern territories, much of the Yukon can be explored by road from southern Canada. For travellers seeking expansive landscapes, remote communities and a sense of adventure, a Yukon road trip offers opportunities to discover a side of Canada that relatively few visitors experience. Final Thoughts The Yukon combines extraordinary natural landscapes with communities that have retained a distinctive northern character. From the glaciers and mountain lodges of Kluane National Park to the hot springs and boutique accommodations of Whitehorse and the Gold Rush traditions of Dawson City, the territory offers a varied travel experience. For travellers interested in wilderness, history, memorable accommodations and unusual local experiences, Canada's Yukon Territory deserves serious consideration. Follow Us & Stay Connected Discover more travel inspiration and destination guides from Travel in 10 and the Voyascape Podcast Network. Instagram: @voyascapemedia Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music Disclosure Some links in these show notes are affiliate links. If you use them to book, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the production of the Travel in 10 podcast. Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world This podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. 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