Yukon River Canoe Expedition

The Ultimate wilderness canoe expedition following the gold rush from Whitehorse to Dawson City . The Yukon River is a major watercourse of Northern Canada and one of the last great wilderness areas.

Level: Grade 1-2 fourteen day wilderness paddle

Book for the next available dates or contact us for a private group booking
10 to 12 customers
£2350

30th May to 18th June 2026
Duration: 20 days

The Ultimate wilderness canoe expedition following the gold rush from Whitehorse to Dawson City. We have paddled the Yukon and led Canadian wilderness expeditions for over 14 years. Join us for this trip of a lifetime.

Options: A canoeing journey par excellance

What's Included

Craft
Buoyancy Aid
Basic Map
Paddles
Professional Coaches
Cooking Kit
Your Campsite
Guiding
Food and Meals
Activity Equipment

We also have some back support for those with back problems

What else we can provide on request

Great food, good company and wild camping will make this a memorable experience. We work alongside our partners and friends Woodland Ways, Bushcraft experts to make this trip a true journey of discovery.

Dates & Requirements

30th May 2026 to 18th June 2026 , contact us for our early bird 2028 dates

We welcome all abilities, however, you need to have some experience of paddling a canoe and a moderate level of endurance and determination. (compare it to hill walking for 6-7 hours with a light bag!) . Feel free to contact us to discuss further as we can help bring your skills up to speed.

Please Contact us if you would like to be added to the waiting list. We are back running this trip for 2028, to infinity and beyond

Trip Description

The Canoe Trail team has raced and paddled the Yukon River on numerous occasions and is offering the ultimate wilderness paddling experience. Rich and Rob have raced the Yukon River Quest Race, 444 miles of wilderness racing. Rich has led 4 expeditions to this part of the world including sea kayaking from Vancouver Island to Glacier Bay, canoeing from Whitehorse to Dawson City, and sea kayaking, hiking and pack rafting from Juneau down to Whitehorse via the Chilkoot Trail.

The Yukon is the home of the 1898 Gold Rush and this 2 week trip will journey along this historic route from Whitehorse to Dawson City. Over 30,000 ‘stampeders’ headed to this remote frontier to stake claims for gold. Many didn’t make it and many more didn’t find gold. There is plenty of living history still around with the Interpretive Centre at Fort Selkirk, the SS Evelyn Norcom at Hootalinqa, and Dawson City itself. The trip will include time to visit the Robin McBride Museum, Diamond Tooth Gerties, and Jack London’s Cabin

You will have plenty of opportunity to improve your paddling skills with our qualified and experienced coaches eager to share their knowledge on this fast-moving water.

A mixture of camping grounds and wild camping will make this a memorable experience. Wildlife on the river includes bears, moose, and wolves.

Included

Professional instructors and coaching
Accommodation on arrival and departure (4 nights)
Breakfast, light lunch and evening meals on the river only (excludes meals in town locations and snacks)
Wild camping on the Yukon River and campgrounds
Transport and shuttle service back (excludes flights)
Canoes, BA’s, barrels, Paddles, and safety equipment

What you will need to bring

tent and dry bags (for personal kit and small items)
Sleeping Bag & Roll Mat
water filter / bottle
Cutlery, Cup, Bowl, Knife & Fork
Personal Kit
A Sense of Humour!

Trip Itinerary

Starting in Iconic Whitehorse following the route of the Stampeders
Paddling down to 32 mile long Lake Labarge
Camping at the bottom of Lake Labarge entrance to 30 mile River
30 mile River
Showers and a short break at Carmacks campground
Hootalinqua shipyard and the SS Everlyn Norcom Sternwheeler
Five finger rapids and Rink rapids
White River and plenty of roadhouse wilderness locations
Stewart Island (last time we saw a Lynx)
Fort Selkirk Interpretive Centre
Dawson City and tales of daring do
Diamond Tooth Gerties, Jack London's cabin and Robert Service

Note: Itinerary subject to change at any time if deemed necessary by Canoe Trail such as high flows or late ice break up on Lake Labarge

Hire FAQ's

What's the difference between a kayak and a canoe?

If you're not sure of what each craft is, then read our guide here.

Are the trips guided?

There are no guides or instructors needed for hire. This is simply a hire where you paddle out and back to our launch point. We recommend our preferred route, however, you are free-range and able to explore the river.

What if it rains?

Unless you hear from us then your booking will run on the day agreed. Canoe Trail runs watersports, paddling, and adventurous activities throughout the year with people enjoying the river and our woodland campsite during the different seasons. On rare occasions (it only happens a couple of times a year) we may move or change your booking. This will be in freak weather conditions such as extremely high river flows in spate or during heavy storms with lightning. You can read our full FAQ here.

How does the booking process work?

We use a live booking system that will assign you the relevant craft and resources. Once you have confirmed your booking date, it is not then transferable and non-refundable in the same way you book an airline seat. Bookings are to be paid in full at the time of booking and are non-refundable. There will be no refunds for early returns, poor weather, or non-usage as per our general terms & conditions.