Yukon is a magnet for paddling enthusiasts across the globe and plays host to some incredible river races, including the annual Yukon River Quest, a grueling 715 kilometre marathon event that takes place under the midnight sun each June. But you don’t have to be a hard-core canoeist or kayaker to enjoy Yukon’s meandering water ways. Dip a toe into some of the 70 wilderness rivers or scenic lakes, and find out why Yukon is the world’s finest paddling destination.
Both guided and self-guided touring is available. Find out more about river adventures in the Yukon.
Tatshenshini River
Experience an unforgettable day trip of rafting or canoeing on the beautiful Tatshenshini River. Possibly the most visually spectacular river in Yukon, the Tatshenshini offers rafting opportunities for all levels of abilities. Enter another world as you wind through valleys dotted with oxbow lakes, past alpine meadows resplendent with wild flowers. Keep your eyes peeled for grizzlies, moose, beaver, bald eagles, osprey and waterfowl.
Yukon River
The famous Yukon River runs 3,190 kilometres northwest of Whitehorse to the Bering Sea – but you don’t have to do the whole thing to get a taste of this historic waterway! Starting from downtown Whitehorse, cruise by old relics of steamers, cabins and gold dredges, left over from the gold seekers of the Klondike Gold Rush. This fast-flowing river passes by iconic landmarks including Lake Laberge, made famous by poet, Robert Service. Whether you’ve never paddled before or consider yourself a seasoned pro, paddling the Yukon River is a classic Yukon experience.
Nisutlin River
One of Yukon’s few south-flowing rivers, Nisutlin begins in the Pelly Mountains and flows southeast towards the village of Teslin. This paddling adventure is the ultimate bird-watching experience, as the river meanders through low wetlands, under a sky filled with migrating birds. Become transfixed by the sheer magnitude of the sweeping landscape and the rhythmic ‘swish, swish’ of your oars as you journey through the serene wilderness.