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The classic gold-rush float, crossing Lake Laberge and running Five Finger Rapids.
Pros
- Rich gold-rush history
- Mostly moving water
Cons
- Long, committing distance
- Wind on Lake Laberge
Best uses
- Long-distance river trippers
Specifications
- Route
- Whitehorse to Dawson City
- Typical time
- About 2–3 weeks
- Key hazards
- Lake Laberge wind, Five Finger Rapids
- Season
- Summer, after ice-out
Best for
Long-distance river trippers
Starting in Whitehorse, this long northern river trip crosses Lake Laberge, passes historic gold-rush sites and runs Five Finger Rapids on the way to Dawson City.
What makes it serious
Cold, fast, silty water, big-lake wind and long distances between road access.
How to prepare
Arrange canoe rental and return transport in Whitehorse, carry bear-safe food storage and check current river information.
How we picked
We built this ranking from trip reports, agency data, permit records, and our editors' own time on the ground. 10 places made the final cut out of a much longer working list, and each one had to clear the same set of criteria before it earned a spot.
- Quality of the terrain
- Landscape, route variety, and whether the place rewards multiple days rather than one overlook.
- Season and weather windows
- How long the reliable window is, and how badly the shoulder seasons punish a bad forecast.
- Access and permits
- Trailhead logistics, permit odds, quotas, and how much lead time a trip realistically takes.
- Solitude vs. crowding
- How far you have to walk before the place feels like wilderness instead of a queue.
- Wildlife and ecology
- What you can reasonably expect to see, and what you have to plan around.
- Risk and skill required
- Navigation, water crossings, exposure, and rescue distance — stated plainly.
Yukon River: Whitehorse to Dawson City — frequently asked questions
- Is Yukon River: Whitehorse to Dawson City worth the trip?
- We rank it #3 in World Canoe Trips. The classic gold-rush float, crossing Lake Laberge and running Five Finger Rapids.
- Who is Yukon River: Whitehorse to Dawson City best for?
- Best for long-distance river trippers. Standouts: rich gold-rush history and mostly moving water.
- What are the drawbacks of Yukon River: Whitehorse to Dawson City?
- Long, committing distance and Wind on Lake Laberge.
- What are the key details for Yukon River: Whitehorse to Dawson City?
- Route: Whitehorse to Dawson City · Typical time: About 2–3 weeks · Key hazards: Lake Laberge wind, Five Finger Rapids · Season: Summer, after ice-out
- What makes it serious?
- Cold, fast, silty water, big-lake wind and long distances between road access.
- How to prepare?
- Arrange canoe rental and return transport in Whitehorse, carry bear-safe food storage and check current river information.
Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Yukon River: Whitehorse to Dawson City, Yukon, Canada. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
Whitehorse, YT, Canada · 60.720, -135.052
Wildlife found around Yukon River: Whitehorse to Dawson City
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