Where to Stay in the Yukon: 9 Best Hotels, Motels, Cabins and B&Bs

I’m the first one to admit: I’ve got an unreasonably soft spot for the Yukon Territory in northwest Canada. It’s remote, it’s undeveloped, and there’s not much to do there – if you believe some travelers anyway. I know better though; my family used to take summer vacations in the Yukon when I was growing up in Alaska, and I’ve been back since (June 2023) to retrace some of those steps and forge new trails of my own.

Now that I’ve traveled extensively in the Yukon through my various years, I thought it was time to put together some resources to help you do the same. I’ve written guides for Whitehorse, Dawson, and Haines Junction in more detail, all of which you can find on this page – but instead of writing a bunch of short articles about where to stay in each of those (and other Yukon) communities, I thought I’d just do a write-up of all the places I’ve stayed and recommend.

Below you’ll find my list of where to stay in the Yukon; this isn’t a comprehensive or “best of” list in a traditional sense – though in some cases I do recommend the only place in a given community or what I consider the best in that area. I hope this helps you plan your adventures in the Yukon Territory, wherever they may take you.

Note: I organized this post with a hotel/accommodation suggestion for each major Yukon community or destination. They are listed in order from the most populous to least populous.

In this post, I promote travel to a destination that is the traditional lands of the Gwichʼin, the Hän, the Kaska Dena, the Tagish, the Northern and Southern Tutchone, and the Tlingit (Teslin) peoples, among others. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to explore Native Land.

Whitehorse: Black Spruce Cabins

As the Yukon’s most populous city, Whitehorse has the widest range of hotels available for travelers; for this reason, many people only plan an overnight stop here and power through – aka rush – the rest of the Yukon. This is a shame, of course, though if you’re going to stop anywhere in the Yukon, Whitehorse has the best options.

Rather than opting for a traditional hotel downtown, I recommend booking a cabin at Black Spruce Cabins south of town. I would probably never have stayed here if I hadn’t been tipped off about it, since it’s a short drive (<10 minutes) to downtown, but I’m so glad I heard about it and had the chance to stay here – I only wish I’d had longer than one night!

Each cabin is utterly stunning: beautifully designed with thoughtful elements and construction materials that reduce the environmental impact of your stay. For having a small footprint, there’s plenty of space in each, including a full kitchen with all you need to cook and enjoy meals right on-site.

There’s also a sauna on the property which you can request to book during your stay and several outdoor common areas that are fun just to sit and relax in the shade of the trees. As a bonus, they’re just a five-minute drive from Winterlong Brewery, which is one of the places I recommend for eating and drinking in Whitehorse.

Seriously, check out their website – you won’t find a more indulgent and luxurious place stay in Whitehorse than Black Spruce Cabins.

Cabin rates are not published online but there is a two-night minimum; reach out via their website to inquire or book.

Alternative: If staying in downtown Whitehorse is essential, the Edgewater Hotel is your best bet. It is centrally located, newly renovated with modern design elements, and has an on-site bar and restaurant if needed.

Dawson City: Dawson Lodge

I’ll be honest: I looked at every place to stay in Dawson City before I booked my stay during my 2023 trip. Dawson is the second-largest city in the Yukon, and is a primarily tourist town – accordingly, it has a relatively high number of accommodations to choose from. In the end, I settled on Dawson Lodge, and this unique accommodation was definitely the right choice.

Dawson Lodge is a relatively new addition to the Dawson City accommodation scene, and while I don’t necessarily agree with “boutique hotel” as it is self-described, I do think that this small hotel is quite special in that it is both unique and sustainably built – all things I love in the places I stay.

Each of the 10 rooms in this hotel branches off a single hallway on the ground floor; each one has corrugated metal and siding to build the walls, which are ample enough for two people – but not super spacious. Additionally, there is a large bathroom and tons of complimentary coffee, tea, sweets, and treats (granola bars) on arrival. Check-in/out is contactless and there are no common spaces, but everything does the trick for what you need for a night or two as part of your travels.

Rooms start from $120 per night; book on Booking.com.

Alternative: For an alternative, the historic Downtown Hotel is a funky option. In addition to the Sourdough Saloon on the ground floor (where you can join the Sourtoe Cocktail Club, an essential food and drink experience in Dawson), you’ll be right in the heart of the historic downtown to walk around basically everywhere else.

Watson Lake: Andrea’s Hotel

If you’re driving the Alcan from the Lower 48 to Alaska, you’ll probably pass through Watson Lake – best known for its Signpost Forest where my family hung a sign during our northern move in 1992 and where I restored/updated that sign in 2006 when we moved back south. While it’s not a far drive from Watson Lake to Whitehorse, many people do choose to make an overnight stop here as part of crossing the territory.

If you’re among them, your options are limited, but Andrea’s Hotel is your best bet. This family-run establishment has been slowly restoring and improving the property over the years; rooms now are spartan but modern and have the basics including in-room coffee. “Limited” wi-fi is the only strike against the property, but honestly, once you get further into the Yukon, you’ll see it’s a miracle any hotels have wifi at all!

Room rates are not published online; reach out via their website to inquire or book.

Haines Junction: Alcan Motor Inn

As its name suggests, Haines Junction is all about a meeting of two roads. In this case, it’s where the Alcan (YT-1) meets the Haines Highway (YT-3) which heads down into Alaska to the coastal community of Haines. While it’s only two hours from Whitehorse, some travelers decide to stay a night here after the long stint from the Alaskan border, and there are a few hotels/motels to choose from.

During my trip, I opted for the Alcan Motor Inn of the options available; it seemed like the nicest and best balance for price. This is a standard motor lodge, with two stories of stacked rooms, but they were well sound-insulated, had decent amenities (including a full-size coffee maker!), and the room was spacious even for a group of up to four. Additionally, the Mile 1016 Pub sits right next to the lobby and is the place to eat in Haines Junction.

Rooms start from $107 per night; book on Booking.com.

Carmacks: Hotel Carmacks

While most visitors making the drive up the Klondike Highway (YT-2) between Whitehorse and Dawson won’t make an overnight stop (it’s a six-hour drive), you might want to just not rush the journey. Your best bet for an overnight stop is in Carmacks, as it’s the largest community between the two, though only two hours north of Whitehorse.

Your options for accommodation in Carmacks are limited; Hotel Carmacks is the one I (only/most) recommend since it has the amenities you’d expect though it’s certainly nothing fancy. In addition to standard rooms, you’ll also find a restaurant (the Gold Panner), a lounge (with pool tables), a market, and a gas station where you can stock up on essentials for the rest of your drive in the Yukon or elsewhere.

Rooms from $140 per night; book on Booking.com.

Teslin: Yukon Motel

If you’re driving the AlCan in the Yukon (YT-1), you’ll already have passed through (or stayed in) Watson Lake; the next largest community along that route before Whitehorse is Teslin – though you could blink and miss it if you’re not paying attention. What you won’t miss is Teslin Lake, which stretches 78 miles from near Galbraith in British Columbia in the south to Johnson’s Crossing further north of Teslin.

In any case, Teslin is home to roughly 239 year-round residents and is incorporated – so it makes the list. It’s also home to the Yukon Motel which is a nice stop roughly halfway along the 4.5-hour drive between Watson Lake and Whitehorse. Rooms are standard – no frills in the Yukon, especially in these smaller communities – but have everything you need. Additionally, there’s always coffee and fresh pastries (strawberry rhubarb pie in the summer!) available, an on-site restaurant with daily specials (usually fish), and an RV park for those of you who don’t need a room.

Room rates are not published online; reach out via their website to inquire or book.

Mayo: Bedrock Motel

If you’re heading off the beaten track in the Yukon, you might find yourself in Mayo, at the end of the Silver Trail. Mayo is an adventure base for most travelers who end up there: it’s great for setting out on fly-in fishing or rafting excursions, among other outdoor activities.

Within town, your accommodation options are limited (which is the case you’ve gathered for most of the Yukon!): Bedrock Motel is your best option. Renovated in 2019, this 12-room hotel is surprisingly modern; it’s part of a family of hotels including the Edgewater in Whitehorse and The Downtown Hotel in Dawson.

Rooms are clean and bright, and the furniture is up to modern standards. In addition, they have stable high-speed wi-fi, satellite TV, workstations in each room, and a mini-fridge/microwave set-up for managing leftovers from your meals on your journey.

Rooms start from $155 per night; book on Booking.com or Hotels.com

Alternative: Gold and Galena Bed & Breakfast is another great option. Hosts Sue and Rick are extraordinarily welcoming, and their three B&B rooms cover the basics. They also have a trailer available seasonally if you want more privacy during your stay.

Kluane Lake: Yukon Lake Cabins

While it’s not a formal community, the area of Kluane National Park and Kluane Lake is one of the biggest natural wonders in the territory. There are a few small unincorporated groupings of amenities – Destruction Bay and Silver City, among others – and some places to stay among them.

When I was growing up, my family would regularly stay in the Silver City area at a bed and breakfast that has now become Yukon Lake Cabins. While these cabins are quite highly-priced for what they offer, the scenery makes up for it: you’re right on the shores of Kluane Lake with a stunning panoramic view, can set out on foot to explore the ghost town of Silver City, and are just a short 15-minute drive to the main visitor center at Kluane National Park and several trailheads into the park.

Cabin rates are not published online; reach out via their website to inquire or book.

Carcross: Cabins Over Crag Lake

Carcross is another area that isn’t an incorporated community but some travelers find themselves; the big draw to the area is the Carcross Desert – a series of sand dunes that offer a fun variety of outdoor adventures (off-roading is particularly popular). If you’re sold on that idea and aren’t bringing a full rig with you, you’ll need a place to stay.

Cabins Over Crag Lake is a little way outside of town but a close enough drive (<10 minutes) to not be inconvenient. Each wood cabin is super cozy with plenty of modern amenities too; they all have a full kitchen, Wi-Fi, and Netflix. If you don’t want to be inside on devices, the property includes a barbecue area, fire pit, and barrel sauna. One cabin is pet-friendly and the other is allergen-free – perfect for all travelers.

Cabins start from $163 per night; book on Booking.com.

Have any questions about where to stay in the Yukon, planning your Yukon itinerary, or other places you’ve considered booking an overnight? Let me know in the comments below!

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