The MILEPOST: Alaska Travel Guide and Trip Planner

Population: 24,041

Whitehorse is located at Historic Milepost 918 on the Alaska Highway, 100 miles southeast of Haines Junction, 282 miles northwest of Watson Lake, 109 miles from Skagway and 396 miles from Tok, AK.

Visitor Information:
Tourism Yukon, Box 2703, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 2C6; phone (867) 667-5340. Tourism Dept. City of Whitehorse, 2121 Second Ave., Whitehorse, YT Y1A 1C2; phone (867) 668-8687; email; www.visitwhitehorse.com

Whitehorse began as the northern terminus of the White Pass & Yukon Route railway from Skagway, AK, which was completed in July 1900. Klondike stampeders landed at Whitehorse to dry out and repack their supplies after running the Whitehorse Rapids.

The community grew as a transportation centre and transshipment point for freight from the WP&YR railroad and the sternwheelers plying the Yukon River to Dawson City. Whitehorse was one of the largest construction camps on the Alaska Highway in 1942. When the Alaska Highway opened to civilian travel after WWII, mining and tourism had a profound effect on the economy of the region.

Whitehorse became capital of the Yukon Territory (replacing Dawson City in that role) on March 31, 1953. Today, Whitehorse serves as the centre for transportation, communications and supplies for Yukon Territory and the Northwest Territories. More than two-thirds of the population of Yukon Territory live in Whitehorse.

As a major metropolitan area, Whitehorse offers complete visitor services. For choices in accommodations, campgrounds, dining, shopping and other services, search our Travel Directory. Whitehorse has hotels/motels, bed-and-breakfasts, campgrounds, major-chain restaurants and fast-foot outlets, shopping and "big box" stores, supermarkets, garages and gas stations, churches, movie houses and beauty salons. Whitehorse also has several banks with ATMs.

Tent camping is available in Whitehorse at Robert Service Park on Robert Service Way. RV and tent camping are available at several campgrounds on the Alaska Highway: Hi Country RV Park, Mountain Ridge RV Park, Pioneer RV Park, Caribou RV Park and Wolf Creek Yukon government campground.

Whitehorse Map

Attractions:

SS Klondike National Historic Site. Tour this grand old stern-wheeler beside the Yukon River.
The Waterfront Trolley carries passengers along the Whitehorse waterfront in a historic White Pass & Yukon Route trolley.
Special events include: the Kluane Mountain Bluegrass Festival (June); Yukon River Quest Canoe and Kayak Race (June-July); Canada Day July 1st; and the Klondike Trail of ‘98 International Road Relay (September).
Frantic Follies, a popular 11⁄2-hour show, features cancan dancing, rousing music and hilarious skits from Robert W. Service ballads.
Look at Yukon Art at North End Gallery and at Yukon Arts Centre Gallery, the Yukon’s only public art museum.
MacBride Museum features mining and stampede history, First Nations, Mounties, Yukon wildlife and minerals, and the history of Whitehorse. Outdoor exhibits include a 1900 telegraph office, Sam McGee’s Cabin and the North West Mounted Police Patrol Cabin.
Old Log Church Museum, built in 1900, displays artifacts of the northern missions, Inuit and First Nations people, and whaling history.
Historical walking tours of Whitehorse conducted by the Yukon Historical & Museums Association take in the city’s heritage buildings.
Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre traces the Ice Age in Yukon.
The world’s largest weathervane—a Douglas DC-3—is at the Yukon Transportation Museum, which features exhibits of all forms of transportation in the North.
Whitehorse Rapids Fishway was built in 1959. Interpretive displays and viewing decks.
Take a free interpretive walk to Canyon City with the Yukon Conservation Society.
Tour the Yukon Brewing Company, the Yukon’s only brewery, and taste their flagship brands: Yukon Red, Yukon Gold, and Chilkoot Lager.
Canada Games Centre/Centre Des Jeux Du Canada has an Aquatic Centre, Wellness Centre, walking/running track, child play area, 3 ice surfaces, drop in programs and fitness classes available.
Mt. Sima Alpine Adventure Park offers panoramic chairlift rides in summer for sightseers and mountain bikers.
Takhini Hot Springs on the Klondike Loop is a popular destination for a soak in a hot springs pool, camping and trail rides.
Yukon Wildlife Preserve on Takhini Hot Springs Road offers interpretive bus tours and self-guided walking tours.