Yukon Wildlife Preserve
Yukon Wildlife Preserve
4.5
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Yukon Wildlife Preserve is a unique wildlife viewing property featuring 12+ species of northern Canadian mammals in their natural environment. Encompassing over 700 acres with various natural habitats, the Yukon Wildlife Preserve offers unparalleled wildlife viewing, education and photo opportunities. Wildlife species are spread out around a 5km loop suitable for walking, biking and skiing (in winter). In winter Kicksled rentals are available.Guided experiences are available with regular schedule daily tour, to premium VIP tours as well as tours provided by local travel operator partners.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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- HiloGirl2San Diego, California23 contributionsYukon Wildlife Preserve - A Must See!This was an option offered at our Northern Lights Resort stay & it turned out to be a not to miss experience! The Preserve is filled with animals rescued from the Yukon wilds. We got up close to a lynx, mountain sheep & goats, a red fox & saw in the distance, caribou, musk oxen and the tip of a moose's antlers. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and regaled us with the habits & habitat of each species. She also told us the histories of how some of the animals arrived at the preserve. This experience is well worth your time when you are visiting Whitehorse.Thank you for taking the time to share your experience! Happy to hear that you saw many of the animals here at the Preserve - even the at times elusive lynx. We appreciate your support.Written 21 November 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 4 November 2023
- lisarimiFrisco, Texas20 contributionsExcellent. Andrew the tour guide was amazing.Delightful experience and tour with Andrew from the wildlife preserve. The animals are well taken care of and seem happy and content. Andrew was an exceptional guide and was very passionate about his work and taking care of the animals. I would highly recommend a tour with Andrew. He made sure we all had a very very informative and delightful tour. Thank you so much Andrew for everything you do for the animals and the preserve..Visited February 2024Travelled soloWritten 24 February 2024
- FiMacEdinEdinburgh, United Kingdom100 contributionsLovely afternoonWe were greeted in the ticket office by a very enthusiastic and passionate gentleman who explained everything we'd be likely to see and what to look out for. Had a very enjoyable walk through the preserve and saw carribou, bison, mountain goats, a lynx, a moose, deer, thin horned sheep, muskox (that's a face that only a mother could love...but they were the highlight of my visit!) and lots of gophers popping up around the place. Highly recommend a visit here.Visited May 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 5 June 2024
- PboroBillChapel Hill, North Carolina317 contributionsBest way to make sure you see the animals of N. Canada.We took the 3+ mile walking tour around here to see the animals. We managed to spy everything except the lynx and fox, and we saw a wild (uncaged) fox anyway. Ground squirrels galore. The moose were close and accessible, as were a lot of the sheep. The musk ox, bison, mountain goats, and elk stayed pretty far away from the walkway/road, but I mean - they're animals....that's OK. Also saw a kestrel fly through. A nice place, we enjoyed our time. Staff very friendly.Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 12 August 2024
- Émilie L1 contributionAmazing tour!Amazing tour with the guide caroll-ann. The animals have a lot of room to roam around. We could see the guide’s passion and her knowledge about the wildlife. I would recommend a tour with her. We saw everything except from the lynx.Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten 24 August 2024
- Lisa BVancouver, Canada2 contributionsVery informativeGreat place to see wild animals of the Yukon in their (almost natural) habitat. Too bad I was not able to see the caribous since they were on the other side of the inclosure. One of the moose came to see me at the fence.Visited August 2024Travelled soloWritten 24 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
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cahuston
Strathroy, Canada5 contributions
June 2019 • Family
The Preserve is the best animal refuge we have ever visited. It was a great opportunity to see a diverse collection of Yukon's natural residents up close. The best way to see and learn about the animals here is the guided bus tour. The guide and driver was comical, serious and so well educated on the oldest and newest residents of this safe and natural space. The guide was a keen lookout for the shyer species. We enjoyed the sight of all but the elusive moose. The price was well worth the experience. We enjoyed some time just walking around some of the site as well prior to the tour and so we were able to formulate questions which were answered cheerfully on the tour. They do great work to provide care and support to the wildlife which are brought to them injured or orphaned from the wilderness. The guide spoke in terms that all could understand and were keen to involve the child guests with opportunities to participate and learn.
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Salma56
Burleigh Heads, Australia234 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
An outstanding environment where huge efforts have been made over many years to ensure every creature is well and secure within its environment. Roads and paths are safe and well maintained ensuring guests can move comfortably around the complex.
I would have appreciated enclosures to be signed with a factual explanation of the creatures within to deepen my understanding rather than constantly relying on a guide’s oral explanation. That said, as an Australian, I have had a most wonderful, unique experience.
I would have appreciated enclosures to be signed with a factual explanation of the creatures within to deepen my understanding rather than constantly relying on a guide’s oral explanation. That said, as an Australian, I have had a most wonderful, unique experience.
Written 23 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience! We all care deeply for the well-being and health of all of the animals here at the Preserve. The Willdife Preserve has also been an accredited member of CAZA - Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariams - since 2012 through which we must meet a rigrous standard on animal welfare, veterinary care, education, conservation, and safety.
There are interpretive panels at each animal's habitat that give an overview of that species, though there is only one per habitat and depending on where the animals were, the guide may onot have stopped at that specific location.
Thank you for all of your support!
Written 27 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Susan S
Welland, Canada46 contributions
July 2022 • Family
Well run. Take the tour bus if you have any problems walking a long way or if it is hot. Bring bug spray! My only complaint would be the inside of the bus could use a daily cleaning due to the bloody dead mosquitoes on walls and windows.
Written 14 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KJElmer
Tacoma, WA251 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
It was very neat to be able to see all these different animals! They aren’t all native to the area, so that was interesting but also a treat. The large amount of land is really impressive and far better than a zoo could ever be. The animals seem well cared for and are as protected from predators as they can be, but I found myself wondering why some of them weren’t released to the wild.
Written 15 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and support our facility. We really appreciate the comment and inquiry. Although our animals certainly have a wild nature to them they do have a certain level of habitation that wouldn't permit them to be returned to the wild and be successful including not causing conflict with humans. Many of the animals are born and raised at the Preserve, multi-generation in fact. Others have come in to our Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and due to their circumstances, like our 3 legged lynx or our bottle raised moose, were not able to be successfully released back to the wild so they live out their lives here and play an important role in sharing values of and respect towards nature.
Thanks again for your thoughtfulness. Should you wish to converse more we would love to explore this topic further with you - please reach out info@yukonwildlife.ca or 867-456-7400.
You may also find exploring our Blogs as a good place for stories and information including our Annual Report which highlights the animals that came through the Rehab Centre. Yukonwildlife.ca/blog
kind regards,
Lindsay
Manager Visitor Services
Written 19 October 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dayle Gaetz
Campbell River, Canada11 contributions
Sept 2022
Although it would be fun to walk the route through the preserve--a loop between fenced-off areas, I recommend taking the bus tour because the tour guide has so much to offer. We stopped and got out of the bus at every feeding area where animals gather. Moose, mountain goats, dall and stone sheep, close up, bison in the distance, glimpses of a wily young fox and a sleeping wildcat. Lots of photos, well worth the time!
Written 21 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Georgetheseal
Vancouver, Canada179 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We came here on a day where it was around - 10. Not really cold but we were the only people to take the walking option. The animals of which there were around 10 species, have a very large fenced off area to graze. Therefore getting between those areas to see the animals require a considerable amount of walking. Sometimes 20 mins before you see something else.
A suggestion is bring binoculars for the mountain goats or lynx.
It's perhaps a little bit expensive relative to what you actually see.
A suggestion is bring binoculars for the mountain goats or lynx.
It's perhaps a little bit expensive relative to what you actually see.
Written 30 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul and Kim A
Toronto, Canada270 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
We took a guided tour of the preserve as part of our stay at the Northern Lights resort. Honestly, we’re not sure what we expected, but this was less. We were driven from viewing spot to viewing spot. There were various Yukon wildlife in large but clearly contained environments that felt nothing like the “wild” of “wildlife”. Some, like the lynx we took on faith as it was not visible. We fully accept that the rescue and educational work of the Preserve is valuable and worthy. As a tourist experience it was - meh. It felt more zoo than wilderness, so less special than we had hoped.
Written 25 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We do currently have 10 Yukon species spread out across 750 acres of land and so with these quite large habitats it can feel less like a more traditional zoo, though we have proudly been an accredited member of CAZA - Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums - since 2012. Fencing is in place around each animal's habitat and a perimeter fence surrounds the Preserve for the safety of the animals and also for visitors like yourself. Sometimes in the large spaces, the animals can choose whether they want to been seen or not to regualte their stress levels. Lynx are specialized to camouflage into their surroundings and are notoriously sneaky; so much so that we do not know how many wild lynx there are in Yukon or across Canada.
If you do visit again, there is an option to go for a self-guided walking tour of the Preserve in which you can spend more time at each animals' habitat and opt for a choose your own adventure type experience. Thank you for your support!
Written 27 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
CAR51
Waldorf, MD64 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Fun place to visit
We went to the preserve to see the wildlife. The guide we had was very well informed about the animals and their behavior. It was very interesting. We drove around in the van but you can bike the reserve or walk it .
There is a small cabin where you pay an entrance fee, can buy souvenirs and get ice cream or a soda. Well worth the trip
We went to the preserve to see the wildlife. The guide we had was very well informed about the animals and their behavior. It was very interesting. We drove around in the van but you can bike the reserve or walk it .
There is a small cabin where you pay an entrance fee, can buy souvenirs and get ice cream or a soda. Well worth the trip
Written 10 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We greatly appreciate your support and are happy to hear you enjoyed your visit!
Written 21 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Caroline B
1 contribution
July 2023 • Family
We visited the Wildlife preserve and enjoyed it so much. Doug, our tour guide was so informative and engaging- he connected with everyone in our diverse party. He even asked our daughter to be his “helper” which was a real hit. We learned a lot about the animals at the Preserve and all the special efforts towards rehabilitation (where appropriate). This is a definite “must see” when in Whitehorse.
Written 26 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to share your guided tour experience. We will pass your kind words on to Doug - he is a wonderful interpretive guide with a wealth of knowledge. We greatly appreciate your support!
Written 21 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
wloo_andrew
Waterloo, Canada877 contributions
Sept 2022
We chose to walk the 5 km trail so we could spend our time watching the animals and taking pictures. It's an easy walk. We did overhear some of the commentary from the bus tour at one of the stops. The tour likely adds a lot of interesting info that you wouldn't otherwise get. I highly recommend visiting if you're in the Whitehorse area.
Written 23 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, how much of this is possible to drive (like driving up to a trail head)? I want to hike of course, but my mom isn't as skilled with hiking so I want her to have an enjoyable time. Thank you so much!
Written 22 September 2024
YukonWildlifePreserve
Whitehorse, Canada
Hello, please do! We will be open daily over the holidays - Dec 26th to January 6th. Open from 1030am to 4pm. Visit for a walk anytime during those hours, allowing about 2 hours to walk. Or, if you want to join a guided bus tour at 12 or 2pm we suggest calling 867-456-7300 to book your preferred date/time.
Happy holidays and look forward to welcoming you!
Written 18 December 2018
YukonWildlifePreserve
Whitehorse, Canada
Hola/ hello,
Lo sentimos, no ofrecemos tour en español.
A partner of the Preserve does provide tours in Spanish. Please contact Northern Tales Travel Service (867) 667-6054.
gracias,
Lindsay
Manager Visitor Services.
Written 19 November 2018
I was wondering how bad the mosquitoes and other biting bugs are this year if we choose to walk?
Written 18 July 2018
Hi ! :) we haven't been annoyed by any mosquitos or anything during our visit there but it was raining this day so I don't know if it changes anything ?
Written 19 July 2018
I see that this is a 5 km walking tour. I am currently on the start of a journey to fitness, and while I hope to be in better shape for Sept-Oct of this year, I'm wondering about how challenging the actual walk is. Thanks!
Written 18 February 2017
I'm probably in the same boat as you! I don't feel like anyone who got driven around could comment accurately ;)
We walked the 5km loop and for the most part it was pretty flat, but there are some steep-ish parts and there was one portion in particular that I was glad we had come the clockwise way around, rather than the counter-clockwise route as it was pretty steep, and I wouldn't have wanted to climb UP that. Going down was fine!
The piece I'm referring to is the loop where the little arctic foxes, lynx, and mountain goats are. The whole trail looks sort of like a figure eight - it's the loop on the left-hand side of the map. I would recommend going clock-wise around this portion - so take a hard left and go past the muskox and mountain goats first, rather than the moose first. There are still some uphill bits going clockwise, but that way you go DOWN the big steep bit, rather than UP it! And just take it at your own pace, and stop and look at the animals along the way - they're a great excuse to catch your breath! You'll feel great about having walked the whole thing afterwards, good luck!! :)
Written 23 February 2017
Hello! I would have loved to do this tour on November 10 but I see that the date is not available... any reason?
It's unfortunately the only date I will be in that area and your tour seems fabulous.
Written 14 September 2016
YukonWildlifePreserve
Whitehorse, Canada
Hi Sophie,
Thanks very much for your questions. Unfortunately we are indeed closed to the public on Thursdays. Our winter hours are Fri-Sun but you can contact one of our lovely travel partners including Northern Tales or Arctic Range to book a package including a visit to the YWP outside those dates. We also have a special tour called an Exclusive Experience you could look into via our website - it might suit your interests well.
Hope we can welcome you to the YWP through either of these options. Thank you very much for your interest in visiting us. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to give me a call or email me.
Manager of Visitor Services
Lindsay
867-456-7400
Written 18 September 2016
We have an quiet old dog. would she be able to accompany us to see this preserve.
Written 15 April 2016
YukonWildlifePreserve
Whitehorse, Canada
Thank you very much for your question. Unfortunately we do not permit domestic animals including dogs on the YWP site. This is to protect the public, staff and the domestic animal from harm. Further, this policy is in place to protect the YWP's animal collection against potential transfer of diseases, stress or physical harm caused by domestic animals on the site. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us 867-456-7400
Thank you again.
Lindsay
Manager of Visitor Services
Written 17 April 2016
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