Yukon River at Eagle, Alaska
General Description & Characteristics -- The Yukon is North America's third longest river (after the Missouri-Mississippi and Mackenzie). It flows about 2,000 miles, draining much of the land west of the continental divide in Yukon Territory, Canada, then runs westward across Alaska to the Bering Sea. If you venture up to the Yukon River for a canoe camping trip, you are entering America's last frontier.
While the Yukon River has a tremendous wilderness quality, there are many small villages along the river. Most of these are accessible only by boat. For nearly all your trip, you will be many miles from the nearest road, telephone or supply source. There are no rapids on the Yukon River in Alaska, but the river is wide, and the current is swift during the short summer canoeing season.
Location & Canoeable Mileage -- A canoe camping excursion on the Yukon is a serious undertaking, because of its remoteness. The canoeing season is very short, and weather can be a problem any time. Mosquitoes can be fierce. Notwithstanding these difficulties, every summer some canoeists float the entire Yukon River from Lake Laberge to the Bering Sea. You can read about the first all-women group to complete this adventure in the book Yukon Wild written by our good friend Beth Johnson. This trip of nearly 2,000 miles took 76 days, virtually the entire canoeing season.
For a shorter trip through some of the most scenic parts of the Yukon River, you might consider the 253 mile stretch from Dawson City, Yukon Territory, to Circle City Alaska. There are roads going to both of these towns, but it is a LONG drive between them (about 500 miles), so unless you have lots of time to spare, you should consider trying to find a shuttle service. Small plane transport is frequently used to get to remote destinations.
A recent visitor to our web site writes: "....when I was in Dawson City several years ago there was a tourist boat that went to Eagle. This could possible be used for a shuttle between the two places if it still exists." This might present still another option for this trip.
Another veteran of the Yukon River writes: "I may have some interesting information concerning the Yukon River. In the summer of 1993 I worked on the river for about 7 weeks on a commercial tug-boat and barge. We traveled the length of the Yukon, stopping at villages and unloading supplies and fuel for the Athabaskan Indians of the region. On our return trip we picked up a women who had paddled if not all, then a large portion of the river by canoe. We transported her and baggage, to Nenana, where our home port is located on the Tanana River. I am not sure of the details, but I am sure that transportation could be arranged for the trip back up with Yutana Barge Lines, in Nenana AK. This town is about 1.5 hours south from Fairbanks, near the mouth of the Tanana River Meals were provided, as there was a cook on board our vessel, and she had a private room of her own. If people don't want to communicate with the rough-neck crew of the tug, it is okay. We were discouraged from bothering her. I have no idea of the cost of this service, but I know that the return trip is about two weeks. I might be off some, as it has been a while since I did it. People should factor in this time if they decide to use their service. All her baggage was kept in her room, and the boat was lashed to one of the upper decks on the tug, out of harms way."
On the river, you can easily make 30+ miles per day, so the 253 mile trip should take only about 8 days, assuming decent weather. Of course, you can do a much longer trip, if desired. We strongly urge you to inquire locally about the current availability of transportation. For shuttle service on this trip, you might try Dawson City River Hostel, P.O. Box 32, Dawson City, YT, Canada Y0B 1G0; Ph.: (867) 993-6823.
Camping -- You can camp along the river on gravel or sand bars, and on some islands. These open sites are preferred so that you will have some breeze to minimize the mosquito problem. In Yukon-Charley National Preserve, the NPS maintains some cabins along the river for the use of boaters and other visitors.
Interesting Features -- During the summer season, this section of the Yukon typically runs between 150,000 and 200,000 cfs. There is little gradient, but the sheer volume of water provides a swift current. Distances can be deceiving and planning ahead is essential when you are making a stop.
For much of this section, you will be floating through Yukon-Charley National Preserve. This National Park Service property includes a section of the Yukon River and its tributary, the Charley River. Here the Yukon flows through a narrow valley surrounded by rugged mountains. The abundant wildlife includes moose and bears.
The only settlement of any size along the route is Eagle, Alaska, right at the point where the river enters that state from Yukon Territory (Canada). While there are few roads in the region, one terminates in this village.
The river serves as a highway for the few inhabitants of this region. Hunting, trapping and fishing are pursued by residents who make their way up and down the river in motorboats.
Additional Information:
| Canoeing Information | Canoeing the Yukon (from the National Park Service) |
| Canoe Rental/Shuttle Service | . |
| River Flow Data |
|
| Parks on/near the River | Yukon-Charley National Preserve (NPS): Main page; cultural resources. |
| Towns/Other Locales on/near the River | Eagle, AK |
| Books |
|
| More Pictures | Eagle Alaska Photo Gallery |
| Environmental Issues/Organizations | . |
| Acknowledgments/Contributors | . |
| Miscellaneous |
|
