Last Updated on September 21, 2025
The Yukon is a sparsely populated territory in northern Canada. It’s home to just over 40,000 people, 25% of whom are Indigenous. In fact, Yukon is so sparsely populated, it’s home to more moose than people!
This territory is home to the famous Klondike goldrush, and in the summer, daylight can last up to 20 hours a day. Wildlife sightings of moose, bears, and caribou are common, and you’ll enjoy the best sourdough you’ve ever had in this territory!
Travelling the Yukon is different from visiting a major city or a tourist-heavy region. While traveling there, I learned that things run on a different schedule, services are limited outside of towns, and you’re often hours from the nearest gas station or hospital.
At the same time, the Yukon is home to 14 First Nations with deep connections to the land, and it’s important to travel with that in mind.
- 11 Things Not To Do in the Yukon
- 1. Don’t drive like you’re on a highway in the city
- 2. Don’t approach, feed, or linger around wildlife
- 3. Don’t skip learning about Yukon First Nations
- 4. Don’t assume the Yukon is just nature
- 5. Don’t overlook local businesses
- 6. Don’t rely on cell service
- 7. Don’t leave a trace
- 8. Don’t camp just anywhere
- 9. Don’t ignore safety prep
- 10. Don’t forget to be respectful with your camera
- 11. Don’t assume everything is open year-round
- Final Thoughts: Must-Know Tips For Visiting Yukon
Disclosure: This article includes affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through one of those links, I earn a small commission. Affiliate links cost you nothing to use, and keep Pina Travels reader-supported. To learn more, read my Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions, & Disclaimers.
11 Things Not To Do in the Yukon
Ready to visit the Yukon? Here are 11 things not to do while travelling the Yukon, based on my own experience!
1. Don’t drive like you’re on a highway in the city
Going on a Yukon road trip is one of the best ways to experience this territory. You’ll enjoy winding roads, mountain views, and long stretches of highway where you might spot wildlife. But don’t let the open road fool you. Driving in the Yukon isn’t like city driving.
Wildlife is often hidden in the brush along the sides of the highway, and so you won’t always spot animals right away. I know from experience! While driving between Whitehorse and Carcross, a massive moose appeared on the highway, seemingly out of nowhere. My partner had to screech our vehicle to a halt avoid hitting it.
Animals like moose, foxes, bears, and caribou often cross or wander along roads, especially at dawn and dusk. These animals are not predictable. Moose, in particular, can be hard to spot and incredibly dangerous in a collision. They’re massive, top-heavy animals, which means that hitting one can be life-threatening.
So take it slow. Drive at a speed that gives you plenty of time to react, especially on curves and hills where visibility is low. You’ll also want to be very aware of the shoulders of the road. Keep an eye out for animals that are hanging out there.
2. Don’t approach, feed, or linger around wildlife
While in the Yukon, don’t approach, food, or linger around wildlife.
Spotting wildlife in the Yukon is exciting, and it’s bound to happen! You’re likely to spot moose, foxes, caribou, eagles, and even bears. Just remember: you’re in their home.
Getting too close, lingering for a photo, or trying to approach or feed wild animals puts both you and the animal at risk. Animals that get used to humans can become aggressive or reliant on handouts, which often leads to them being relocated or killed.
No picture is worth disrupting a wild creature’s routine, or putting yourself in danger. So if you see an animal while hiking or driving, admire it from a distance, then keep moving. Don’t block roads or trails to get a better view. Follow the best practices around responsible wildlife tourism.
Want a safe and responsible option for observing Yukon’s native wildlife? The Yukon Wildlife Preserve is just outside of Whitehorse, and it’s home to over a dozen species of northern animals, including moose, bison, lynx, muskox, and mountain goats.
The preserve provides large, natural habitats for animals who can’t survive in the wild due to injury or other factors, and it focuses on conservation, education, and rehabilitation. You can explore the preserve on foot or by shuttle, and learn about Yukon’s wildlife without putting yourself, or the animals, at risk.
If you plan to be hiking or camping, be smart about safety. Carry bear spray, know how to use it. There are lots of video demos online. It’s important to keep your bear spray somewhere accessible, not buried at the bottom of your pack.
Carrying bear spray, keeping it accessible, and knowing how to use it, will keep both you and the bears safe. While in the Yukon, I kept our rented bear spray on the belt of my pants whenever we were hiking or walking trails, and I kept it handy while at campgrounds.
Hot tip! You can rent bear spray! The Base Outdoor Rentals in Whitehorse offers bear spray rentals that you can reserve in advance.
A moose at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, and an arctic ground squirrel (you’ll spot lots of these in Yukon!)
3. Don’t skip learning about Yukon First Nations
The land known today as Yukon is the traditional territory of 14 First Nations. The territory’s lands have been cared for since time immemorial by the Hän, Tlingit, Gwich’in, Kaska, Tagish, Tutchone, and other Indigenous Peoples who continue to live in Yukon today.
As visitors, it’s important to recognize that Yukon is not just nature. It’s been home to Indigenous Peoples for thousands of years, and they have long had a close connection with the land. Honouring Indigenous presence means respecting the land, listening to community voices, and learning about the ongoing relationships between First Nations and this place.
A great way to learn some of Yukon’s Indigenous history is to visit the various interpretation centers that you’ll find in Yukon. There’s the Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre in Dawson City, which shares the stories and history of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in.
In Haines Junction, the Da K? Cultural Centre offers insight into the culture and traditions of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations. And in Carcross, the Carcross/Tagish Learning Centre is a hub for language revitalization, community gatherings, and cultural sharing.
I also recommend booking a walking tour at Long Ago People’s Place (Kwaday Dan Kenji). It’s located near Champagne, Yukon, on the traditional territory of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations.
This site was created 30+ years ago by Harold Johnson and Meta Williams, two Indigenous knowledge holders who wanted to share and preserve their Southern Tutchone culture. On their land, they’ve built traditional structures like summer and winter homes, smokehouses, and tools using ancestral techniques passed down through generations.
When we visited, Harold guided us through the site and explained the significance of each structure, from how they were built to how they were used seasonally by Southern Tutchone people throughout time.
He spoke about the connection between people, land, and knowledge, and how Indigenous ways of life were rooted in respecting the land and respecting wildlife, as well as principles of sustainability and community.
Our visit with Harold was more than a tour, it was an invitation to slow down, listen, and learn. I felt that I left Long Ago People’s Place with a deeper understanding of the land I was traveling through, and it ended up being one of my most memorable experiences in Yukon.
4. Don’t assume the Yukon is just nature
Yes, the landscapes and wildlife of the Yukon are incredible. But the Yukon is more than nature!
This territory is made special by the communities who live there, their contributions, and their stories. Be sure to factor in time to spend in Dawson City, Whitehorse, Carcross, or all three, so that you can connect with local folks and experience a different side of the Yukon.
For example, in Dawson, I wandered through Front Street’s wooden boardwalks, chatted with local artists at the Klondike Institute of Art & Culture, heard the stories of how the folks working at Red Mammoth Bistro ended up in Dawson, and spent an afternoon learning about Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in history at the Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre.
So yes, hike the trails. But don’t rush through the places in between!
Wandering around Dawson City, you’ll come across lots of museums, galleries, and shops.
5. Don’t overlook local businesses
Supporting small businesses matters everywhere, and it’s no different in the Yukon. From cozy cafes and restaurants to Indigenous-owned shops and roadside markets, there are plenty of places to pick up a locally made souvenir or enjoy a good meal.
The best part? Buying local keeps your dollars in the community and helps preserve what makes the Yukon so unique.
Here’s a tip: stop by Chilkoot Trail Authentic Sourdough Bakery in Carcross to pick up a loaf of sourdough from a local business.
Sourdough has deep roots in Yukon’s history. During the Klondike Gold Rush, prospectors relied on sourdough starter to make bread in remote camps. In fact, long-time Yukoners were nicknamed “sourdoughs” as a badge of resilience and experience.
Chilkoot Trail Authentic Sourdough Bakery carries on this tradition with freshly baked sourdough breads, pastries, and yummy breakfasts.
6. Don’t rely on cell service
Cell coverage in the Yukon can be patchy, and sometimes nonexistent outside of major towns. Given this, don’t assume you’ll be able to look things up on the go. It’s important to download offline maps (Apps like Maps.me or Gaia GPS work well offline) so that you’re able to navigate without a signal.
You’ll also want to download any other resources you think you might need. Hiking trail maps, your itinerary, booking details for hotels, and music or podcasts you might want to listen to while driving.
If you’re headed into the backcountry, or even on a well-trodden trail, you’ll likely not have cell service. Be sure to let someone know your travel plans, and consider bringing a GPS communication device like a Garmin inReach or Zoleo.
These satellite messengers let you send texts and SOS signals even when you’re far off-grid. It might feel like overkill, but in some parts of the Yukon, help can be hours away and conditions can change fast.
Need mobile data for your trip to Yukon?
You can get online easily with a quick-to-install eSIM through Airalo. What I appreciate most about Airalo’s eSIM is its simplicity.
You can quickly select and activate an Airalo eSIM for Toronto. Selecting, downloading, and activating your eSIM takes less than 5 minutes, and it’s easy to top up your eSIM if you run out of data.
You can get started with an Airalo eSIM, right here.
7. Don’t leave a trace
What not to do in Yukon? Don’t forget to leave no trace.
The Yukon’s ecosystems are fragile, and tourism works best if we minimize our impact and follow sustainable tourism practices. Be sure to pack out all your trash, stay on marked trails, and don’t pick wildflowers or disturb natural features.
I’ll admit it! I used to think that tossing something like an apple core or banana peel into the bush was harmless. I figured it was since it’s organic, and it’ll decompose. But what I’ve learned is that even organic waste can throw off local ecosystems.
It introduces non-native foods into wild animals’ diets, encourages them to hang around trails or campsites, and disrupts their natural behaviours. Plus, in the Yukon’s northern climate, even “compostable” stuff can take years to break down.
These days, I always bring a small Tupperware or resealable bag with me when I hike so I have a spot to stash organics and other waste until I can dispose of it properly. It takes basically no effort, and it means I’m not leaving anything behind besides footprints.
8. Don’t camp just anywhere
Free camping is allowed in some parts of the Yukon, but that doesn’t mean you can pull over anywhere. Make sure you understand local camping regulations and avoid camping on Indigenous land without permission.
If you want to play it completely safe like we did, stick to government campgrounds and private campgrounds. There are plenty of options all around the Yukon, and we never had a problem finding a site to stay in, even when we didn’t reserve in advance.
9. Don’t ignore safety prep
Weather in the Yukon can shift fast, even in summer. If you’re hiking or driving long distances, don’t head out unprepared. Bring layers, extra water, snacks, and an emergency kit. If you’re going remote, consider a satellite communicator like a Garmin InReach or Zoleo. Not preparing properly can put you, and search and rescue, at risk.
10. Don’t forget to be respectful with your camera
In small communities, especially Indigenous ones, snapping a photo without consent can be invasive. Ask permission first, and respect the answer, especially during ceremonies or cultural events.
I’ll be honest: I’ve been guilty of not thinking this through. In the past, I’ve taken sneaky photos of people because I thought they looked beautiful or interesting. I told myself it was harmless. If they didn’t notice, it wasn’t a big deal. But over time, I’ve started to question why I felt entitled to capture someone else’s face, culture, or moment without their permission.
The truth is, taking a photo isn’t always neutral. In places where communities have been historically photographed without consent, and often through a colonial lens, the impact of one more tourist with a camera can be heavy.
Sometimes a moment isn’t yours to document, and no photo is worth someone else’s discomfort. Practicing responsible travel content is one simple way to show respect for the places and communities you visit.
11. Don’t assume everything is open year-round
The Yukon runs on a different rhythm than major tourist hubs. Long winters, difficult-to-reach locations, and small populations mean that many businesses, roads, and parks are seasonal.
Museums might only open a few days a week. Some campgrounds close after Labour Day. Even restaurants and cafes can have limited hours, or be closed altogether during the off-season.
If you’re visiting during summer, you’ll benefit from most things being open, but you’ll want to check opening hours, call ahead, and be flexible. And most importantly, be patient.
Final Thoughts: Must-Know Tips For Visiting Yukon
Traveling through the Yukon is an experience that will stay with you, and it’s not just because of the landscapes and wildlife. It’s thanks to the people, the stories, the territory’s history, and more.
Whether it’s slowing down on the roads, staying safe on the trails, or being mindful of how you interact with communities, every small choice you make in the Yukon matters. It’s about more than just checking things off a list, it’s about being a responsible tourist. This is how we can help ensure that communities benefits from the pros vs. cons of tourism.
I hope this post covering what not to do in the Yukon has inspired you to plan ahead, support local, carry your bear spray, download your maps, and take the time to learn whose land you’re on.
If you enjoyed this blog, you’ll love my newsletter, as well as my Facebook group. You’re welcome to join these communities – I would love to see you there!
More from Pina Travels:
