Miles Canyon: The Turquoise Heart of the Yukon River
Miles Canyon is the closest piece of true Yukon wilderness to downtown Whitehorse. Ten minutes by car, a steel suspension bridge above the Yukon River, water so blue it looks almost tropical. It’s the photo most visitors take home, and it’s one of the few places in the city where the river feels properly wild.
Why the water is that colour
The deep turquoise comes from glacial silt suspended in the water and the channel’s unusual depth between the basalt cliffs. The cliffs themselves are columnar basalt, formed by ancient lava flows. Before Schwatka Lake was dammed in 1958, this stretch was class IV whitewater. Today it’s calmer, but the river still pushes hard through the narrow gap.
How to walk it
The classic loop crosses the suspension bridge, climbs along the east rim, and returns via the lower trail near the water. Allow 60 to 90 minutes at an easy pace. For something quieter, follow the upper Yukon River Trail away from the bridge — the views open out over the canyon without the crowds.
Trail tips
- Wear shoes with grip. Basalt is uneven and slippery when wet.
- Mosquitoes can be intense in late June and July. Carry repellent.
- The bridge can sway gently. Hold the railing if heights aren’t your favourite.
Going by water
Several local operators run guided canoe and SUP trips that start at Schwatka Lake and paddle through the canyon. It’s calm enough for first-timers with a guide, and it’s the best way to feel how narrow the gap really is. Mornings tend to be glassy.
Best time of day
Light hits the water best mid-morning and again after 6pm in summer. Winter gives you a different canyon entirely: ice on the cliffs, ravens overhead, almost no one on the bridge. Wear traction devices on your boots if the trail is icy.
Pair this with our first-time visitor guide or browse more Yukon River stories.
