The S.S. Klondike is a large sternwheeler resting on dry land on the banks of the Yukon River; Whitehorse also has an extensive citywide and local trail network. Museums, public art, snowy trails and a route on the Yukon offer different ways to explore the city and its history. When planning your visit, you can choose between maritime history, specific museum themes, trails and a river route.

Maritime History, Museums and Art

The S.S. Klondike is a large sternwheeler on the banks of the Yukon River beside the Robert Campbell Bridge in Whitehorse. It was designated a National Historic Site of Canada to commemorate inland water transportation in the Yukon Territory and to represent Yukon sternwheelers and other vessels. For those interested in maritime history, the ship is a tangible point of reference.

The MacBride Museum is the Yukon’s first museum and has 11 unique galleries. The Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre offers insights into Yukon during the Ice Age, including ice ages, extinct animals and First Nations legends. For visitors choosing a museum based on a clearly defined theme, the Beringia Centre has a distinct focus on the Ice Age and legends. The MacBride Museum, meanwhile, can be distinguished by its status as the Yukon’s first museum and its 11 galleries.

Whitehorse’s Main Street features public artworks that celebrate the Yukon’s rich history. This adds street art as another way to explore the area, alongside maritime history and museum themes.

Trails and River Route

Whitehorse has an estimated 230 km of significant citywide trails and 850 km of local and neighbourhood trails. Near Whitehorse, the Long Lake Loop Trail is approximately 2.8 km long and connects to a larger trail network in Riverdale. The citywide and local figures answer a different question from the length of a single route: they outline the trail options by reach, while the loop describes a specific circuit.

The Whitehorse Nordic Centre offers nearly 100 km of groomed trails through snowy forests, with mountain views. Routes are available for all skill levels, from beginner to expert. Compared with the single Long Lake Loop, the Nordic Centre offers a larger network of groomed trails and an explicitly stated range of skill levels.

Yukon River Tours departs five minutes from downtown Whitehorse. The tour travels from Schwatka Lake, with views of Grey Mountain and Mount McIntyre, through Miles Canyon and onward along the Yukon River. The route complements the historical perspective of the S.S. Klondike with named landmarks along the river. Details for Yukon River Tours are seasonal; check them before booking.

Discover more destinations: Haines Junction, Dawson City, Beaver Creek.

Return to the main travel overview: Yukon.