End-of-Summer Road Trip Destinations in the Yukon
Summer may be coming to an end here in the Yukon, but there are plenty of daylight hours left for enjoying an end-of-season adventure. Whether you’re trying to squeeze in one last getaway before the kids head back to school, or your friend group finally nailed down a weekend where everybody is free to escape the city, there is no shortage of exciting road trip destinations within a short drive of Whitehorse. After all, they don’t call it “Wilderness City” for nothing!
Today on the blog, we’re highlighting a few of our favourite destinations across the Yukon that you can easily drive to in your trusty Toyota vehicle. We already know that you’ve got excellent fuel economy, loads of space, and dependable all-wheel drive in your road-trip arsenal - we’re simply here to supply your road map. Read on - adventure awaits!
Great for Families: Chadburn Lake
Most Whitehorse residents are familiar with the Greenbelt Reserve, which provides a host of both summer and winter outdoor activities. Chadburn Lake is an excellent destination for those who are looking for a day trip that doesn’t require too much driving - like when your kids are under 3 years old and 60 minutes of total driving time in your RAV4 absolutely counts as a “road trip.”
Chadburn Lake offers recreational hiking, a pebble beach, picnic areas, quiet water activities (sorry, no motorized boats), a warming hut, and easily accessible outdoor toilets. You’ll see wildlife, flora, views of the mountains, and certainly enjoy some quality time with your family in this peaceful reserve.
Great for Cyclists: Grey Mountain
For mountain bike enthusiasts, Grey Mountain is the place to go. It’s the largest riding area in Whitehorse, with dozens of different trailheads that range in difficulty from recreational to expert. Check out the helpful Grey Mountain Trail Map (designed by Trailforks.com), which details 88 trails on an interactive map. Of course, you don’t need to be an adventure cyclist to enjoy all that Grey Mountain has to offer - the rolling hills and scenic views are enticing to trekkers and hikers as well.
Great for White Water Rafting: Tatshenshini River
If you’re looking for a thrill, we highly recommend a trip to Tatshenshini River, which has been ranked as #1 on National Geographic’s list of Top Ten Whitewater Rafting Trips. There are guided trips for rafting on the “Tat,” plus you can make it back to Whitehorse in time for dinner at a local restaurant on Main Street.
Looking for a quieter paddling experience? This might sound like a given, but the mighty Yukon offers a variety of options for weekend road trippers who are eager to get on the water. Get your canoe into the river from downtown and follow the Yukon downstream. You’ll be surrounded by the peaceful Canadian Tundra in no time, and there are many soft banks along the way where you can pull your boat from the river and set up camp for the night.
Great for Doing it All: Kluane National Park
Located just two hours from Whitehorse, Kluane National Park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Here you’ll find Mount Logan, Canada’s tallest mountain, the Alsek River, which provides 250 kilometres of breathtaking wilderness, pristine glacial vistas, and so much more. Take on mountaineering expeditions, hikes through alpine passes, rafting down glacial rivers, backcountry camping, ATV sports, adventure trekking, and glimpses of the Northern Lights. You’ll also find Klondike National Historic Sites and opportunities to connect with native cultures, providing visitors with one of the most all-encompassing outdoor experiences in all of Canada. Pack up your Tundra or Tacoma and get ready to soak in all that Kluane National Park has to offer!
Answer the Call of the Wild in a Toyota Vehicle
When the mood for a Yukon road trip strikes, be prepared with a reliable and capable Toyota vehicle! Towing power, multi-terrain driving modes, unbeatable fuel economy, and connectivity features galore - the Toyota lineup of cars, trucks and SUVs is primed and ready to be your backcountry BFF, no matter how wild the world gets outside.
Give us a call at Whitehorse Toyota for help getting your Toyota road-trip-ready or to take a look through our inventory of new and used vehicles. We pride ourselves on helping our customers find the perfect vehicle to suit their lifestyle and budget - come pay us a visit today at our sprawling dealership, located at 111 Range Road in Whitehorse, YT!
