Miles Canyon Hike | Yukon Conservation Society

Guided Hikes & Created at the Canyon

Through our free guided hikes and other programming at Miles/Kwanlin Canyon, we help visitors and locals alike learn about conservation by exploring nature. We also offer a glimpse into the First Nations history of the area and the Klondike Gold Rush. See human and natural history come to life before your eyes as you explore and learn with our trail guide interpreters.

Free Guided Nature Hikes: Miles Canyon to Canyon City

Two-hour nature and history hikes leaving daily from Miles/Kwanlin Canyon in the summer months.
Hikes will run THURSDAY JUNE 18th to SATURDAY AUGUST 15th, 2020

When: 2pm - Tuesday through Friday; 10 am & 2 pm Saturdays

Where: Meet at the Robert Lowe Suspension Bridge below the Miles Canyon parking lot

Please note that Friday August 14th there will be no hike at Miles Canyon, but there will be a specialty hike at McIntyre Creek at 11 am.

COVID-19 Restrictions

Under Phase 2 (Effective July 1st, 2020) - Outdoor gatherings can include up to 50 people

Under Phase 3 (Effective August 1st, 2020) - Outdoor gatherings remain at 50. Seated outdoor events with 100 people, such as weddings, will also be allowed.

Our two-hour, easy walking hikes are fun for avid nature enthusiasts, hikers and families alike. Learn about the Gold Rush, First Nations history, geology, plants, animals and so much more! Hikes leave from the bridge during the summer, rain or shine. Wear sturdy footwear, dress for the weather, and bring your own water and snacks – Miles Canyon has no facilities except an outhouse. We practice Leave No Trace principles on the trail. Special themed hikes with guest leaders will take place periodically throughout the summer.

No registration is required for any of our hikes - just show up on time at Miles Canyon Bridge! Well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome to attend.

No transportation is provided to the Canyon. The Canyon is not serviced by public transit. It is a long walk (7.3 km or approx. one and a half hours) from downtown.

For information about hikes, please call 867-668-5678 or email us.

Our regular hikes are great for people of all ages, including children, who are capable of walking 5km over mostly gentle terrain.

Special Events & Themed Hikes 2020

Bear Awareness Hike - Friday, July 17th, 2020 at 2pm

Stories of the Gold Rush - Thursday, July 23rd, 2020 at 2pm

Bhangra at the Canyon - Wednesday, July 29th at noon

Kid-Friendly Mini-Hike - Saturday, August 1st at 11 am

Plants & The Changing Environment - Saturday, August 1st at 2pm

Beringia Hike - Tuesday, August 4th at 2 pm

McIntyre Creek - Friday, August 14th, at 11 am

Our Specialty Hikes Program in 2020 is sponsored by Yukon Energy.

Created at the Canyon

Created at the Canyon is an outdoors art event celebrating artistic perspectives on nature and history in the Yukon, hosted by the Yukon Conservation Society (YCS). YCS has hosted an “art on the trails” event at Miles Canyon since 2012. These events give local artists an opportunity to reflect on and create art outdoors while sharing their process and inspiration with the public.

Call for Artists

For more information see the document here. For the application click here.

Application Deadline: Friday, June 26th, 2020 at 5 p.m.

Exhibit Launch August 19th at the Yukon Arts Centre Community Gallery (the exhibit will run until September 28th, 2020)

2020 Featured Artists:
Jackie Irvine * Julia Cottle * Leighann Chalykoff * Martha Ritchie * Sean Smith * Selina Heyligers-Hare

The artists create original works of art outdoors, inspired by the culturally and ecologically significant landscape of Miles Canyon and the Yukon River.

Top to bottom: Martha Ritchie, Julia Cottle, Jackie Irvine, Leighann Chalykoff

Link to Selina Heyligers-Hare's video 'Waves'

Link to Sean Smith's video - 'Kwanlin Dän Nlhäshejäl - People of Kwanlin Gathered Together'

This project is made possible through the assistance of Arts Fund, Department of Tourism and Culture, Jeanie Dendys, Minister.

Thank you also to these sponsors of Created at the Canyon and the Yukon Conservation Society Interpretation Program:
Government of Yukon
Government of Canada
City of Whitehorse Recreation Grant
Yukon Arts Centre

Special thanks to CHON-FM for their advertising donation for Created at the Canyon, and to the Yukon Chocolate Company for their donation for the exhibit launch.