Miles Canyon
Whitehorse, Yukon
Just outside of Whitehorse, the Yukon River carves its way through a basaltic lava flow revealing colorful cliffs of volcanic rock. During the gold rush days, the fierce rapids of Miles Canyon posed a significant danger to stampeders, but the canyon has since been tamed with a dam and is now a popular recreation area for locals and visitors alike.
Most sightseeing tours of Whitehorse include a visit to Miles Canyon along with other popular attractions such as the S.S. Klondike Historic Site and the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Center. Adventurous travelers can opt for a half or full-day guided hike through Miles Canyon or a snowshoe adventure in winter. Boat tours are also offered in the canyon.
- A suspension bridge spans Miles Canyon and offers fantastic views of the canyon.
- A well-established network of hiking and mountain biking trails weave through Miles Canyon.
- The Miles Canyon suspension bridge is narrow and not wheelchair-accessible.
The Miles Canyon parking area is about 5.6 miles (9 kilometers) south of downtown Whitehorse along the Yukon River. To get there, head south on Robert Service Way to the Klondike Highway and make the turn onto Miles Canyon Road. Public transportation is limited in the Yukon, so exploring with a guided tour is a convenient way to see the area attractions if you don’t have a car.
Summer is the best time to explore the trails around Miles Canyon. Free guided nature hikes are offered regularly throughout the week, and you’ll often see artists working on-site at the suspension bridge, as part of the annual Created at the Canyon event. The road to the Miles Canyon parking area is closed in the winter, but you can still access the suspension bridge on the north side of the river or by hiking or snowshoeing from town.
Built in 1922, the Robert Lowe Bridge spans the Yukon River at one of the most scenic points in Miles Canyon and is one of the Whitehorse area’s top tourist attractions. The bridge is just a short walk from the parking area on Miles Canyon Road and offers great views of the canyon’s steep and colorful cliffs.
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