22 reasons you should be heading to the Yukon. Like now.

With just 32,000 residents spread out over 483,450 square kilometres, the Yukon is a dream for anyone seeking peace, quiet and some of the country’s most gorgeous wilderness. And while its capital, Whitehorse, has a population of 24,000 people — considered small by “southern” standards — it offers all the big-city amenities you need (namely, espresso, good food and craft beer) with access to the great outdoors from downtown. Yes, that’s right, from downtown.

With a less-than-three-hour flight from Vancouver or Calgary, Whitehorse is easy to get to and easy to explore. So, what are you waiting for? Here are 22 reasons to check it out now.

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22 reasons you should be heading to the Yukon. Like now.

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  1. Biking

  There are hundreds of kilometres of bike trails to explore, whether you prefer easy pedalling or single-track. (There's plenty more elsewhere in the Yukon, too.)Government of Yukon/J. Kennedy

• 2. Canoeing

  You can canoe the Yukon River from the middle of downtown. You're going with the current, so it's an easy (and gorgeous) paddle.Kat Tancock

• 3. Kayaking

  If you prefer a kayak, that's doable, too. There are paddling options in and near Whitehorse to suit any skill level.Government of Yukon/Derek Crowe

• 4. Horseback Riding

  Get the Western experience by riding the trails on horseback, whether for an hour or for 10 days, through pristine wilderness.Kat Tancock

• 5. Hiking

  If you prefer to keep two feet on the ground, there's plenty of hiking, too, like this Miles Canyon interpretive hike with the Yukon Conservation Society.Government of Yukon

• 6. Ziplining

  Or, if you need a hit of adrenaline, go ziplining and rock climbing. Government of Yukon/D Crowe

• 7. Takhini Hot Pools

  Then, soothe those worn-out muscles with a soak in the mineral-rich Takhini Hot Pools. They've been in operation for over a century.Government of Yukon/D Crowe

• 8. Fireweed Market

  Or, shop for snacks and souvenirs at Fireweed Market. You won't believe the fresh produce they can grow this far north.Government of Yukon/C Archbould

• 9. Dirty Northern

  Stop by the Dirty Northern for some Yukon-made beer and a meal. The summer menu includes pizza and salad featuring local produce.Kat Tancock

• 10. Walking tours

  Now that you're refreshed, slap on your learning cap for a walking tour to learn about Whitehorse's history and architecture.Government of Yukon

• 11. Old Log Church

  For instance, a lot of buildings were built out of logs, like this church. Constructed in 1900, it's among the oldest buildings in town, and now houses a museum.Government of Yukon

• 12. Yukon Transportation Museum

  You can also visit the Yukon Transportation Museum and learn how bush pilots, stampeders and others got around the region during the Gold Rush and beyond.Government of Yukon

• 13. Beringia

  Or, if natural history's more your style, the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre tells the story of the land bridge between Alaska and Siberia that welcomed humans to the Americas during the last Ice Age.Government of Yukon

• 14. Yukon Wildlife Preserve

  Nature lovers should also check out the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, home to wood bison, elk, moose, muskoxen, caribou and other animals.Kat Tancock

• 15. And MORE Yukon Wildlife Preserve

  Fun fact: There are twice as many moose as people in the Yukon, and a whopping 165,000 caribou, 22,000 mountain sheep, 10,000 black bears and 7,000 grizzlies.Government of Yukon/D Crowe

• 16. Eagles

  If you're lucky, you'll also see eagles while you're visiting. You'll for sure see ravens, which are the territory's official bird.Keith M. Williams via Flickr

• 17. The Northern Lights

  Of course, most people go north hoping to see the Northern Lights, which is less likely in the summer because it's not dark enough out.Keith M. Williams via Flickr

• 18. Emerald Lake

  But there are plenty of nearby photo-ops to console your Instagram followers with, like this beautiful lake less than an hour out of town.Kat Tancock

• 19. Carcross Desert

  Or head to Carcross Desert, a series of sand dunes some call the smallest desert in the world. You can go sandboarding, ATVing or hiking.Kat Tancock

• 20. Carcross

  The cute town of Carcross -- short for Caribou Crossing -- has a restaurant, cafe, gallery, carving shed, gift shop, and (important!) ice cream.Jim Bob Malone via Flickr

• 21. White Pass & Yukon Route Railway

  It's also where you can catch the train to Skagway, Alaska, on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway, a historic gold-rush route that takes you through Bennett, B.C. as well.Kat Tancock

• 22. Klondike Highway

  Basically, Whitehorse and the Yukon offer amazing outdoor scenery, tons of wildlife, plenty to eat and drink and the wide-open, traffic-jam-free road. Why aren't you there already?Kat Tancock