How far is the preserve from Whitehorse?

About a 25-minute drive from downtown Whitehorse, near the Takhini Hot Springs Road area.

Can I drive through the preserve or do I have to walk?

Personal vehicles aren't permitted on-site. You can walk or cycle the roughly 5 km loop, snowshoe or ski it in winter, rent a kicksled or fat bike, or join a guided bus tour.

Is there anywhere to eat or stay nearby?

Bean North Coffee, a short walk away, is open year-round. Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs (adults-only) is also close by and offers on-site accommodation, along with a few other cabins along Takhini Hot Springs Road and Takhini River Road.

A Day at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve: Up Close with Arctic Mammals

Q: What animals will I see?

Species include wood bison, muskox, moose, caribou, mountain goats, Dall and thinhorn sheep, mule deer, lynx, elk, and arctic foxes, all in large natural enclosures.

What you'll see

The preserve is home to species that can take days to find in the wild. Wood bison, muskox, moose, woodland caribou, mountain goats, Dall and thinhorn sheep, mule deer, lynx, arctic foxes, and elk are among the animals here, along with plenty of birds and smaller wildlife.

The large, naturalistic enclosures let the animals behave much as they would in the wild, so sightings feel earned rather than staged.

Local lore has it that the mule deer come and go from the preserve as they please, hopping the fence lines when the mood strikes. It's hard to confirm outright, but the preserve's own research notes rips in the deer's ears from crossing fences often enough to use as an identifying marker, so there may be something to it.

How to visit

Personal vehicles aren't allowed on-site, so plan to explore the roughly five-kilometre loop on foot, by bike, or by joining a guided bus tour with expert commentary. In winter, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing the loop is a magical way to see the animals against fresh snow, and kicksleds and fat bikes are both available to rent if you'd rather not bring your own gear.

Book your bus tour spot ahead of time if you want one. It's a common mistake to show up expecting to walk onto a tour without a reservation, only to find it full.

Nearby stops

If you're making a day of it, Bean North Coffee is a short, walkable distance from the preserve and open year-round, seven days a week. It's a genuinely good stop for a coffee and a pastry before or after your visit.

Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs is also nearby. It's an adults-only (19+) soak for now, though they've talked about adding family-friendly pools down the road. In winter, the walk between the preserve, Bean North, and the hot springs is short but cold enough that you'll want to dress for it. Eclipse also has on-site accommodation, and there are a handful of other cabins scattered along Takhini Hot Springs Road and Takhini River Road if you'd rather stay the night than head back into town.

Best times to go

The preserve is open year-round, and every season offers something different. Spring brings newborn animals. Summer means long daylight and green habitats. Winter shows off thick coats and animals built for the cold.

Fall is a particular favourite among locals. The elk go into rut, and their bugling calls carry through the Takhini Valley, an eerie, memorable sound if you catch it. Mornings and evenings tend to be the most active viewing times regardless of season.

Why it matters

Beyond the viewing, the preserve does real conservation and rehabilitation work, caring for injured and orphaned animals and educating visitors about northern ecology. A visit supports that mission while giving you the knowledge to spot the same species later in the wild.

Many travellers visit early in their trip to learn what they're looking for, then head into the backcountry with a sharper eye. It's the kind of stop that pairs naturally with a longer day in Whitehorse. See our [24 Hours in Whitehorse](https://www.goyukonic.net/blog/24-hours-in-whitehorse/) itinerary, which sends readers here as an afternoon stop.