How to Plan the Perfect Fall Retreat in the Yukon for Northern Lights and Autumn Colour
Fall in the Yukon isn’t a single fleeting moment, but rather a season that shifts from long, mellow days to crisp nights and early winter skies. From late August through October, you can shape your trip around the kind of experience you want most: warm afternoons on golden trails, long evenings under the Aurora, or the first snowfall that signals winter’s imminent arrival.
When to Go
Come earlier in the season — mid August into mid-September — for comfortable hiking weather and the first hints of colour across the landscape. After mid-August, the nights begin to get dark enough to see the Aurora Borealis. By late September and into early October, the aspen and willow turn brilliant yellow and red, making this an ideal time to come if fall colours are your motivating factor. Travel later into the season — mid-October through November — for colder nights, occasional snow, and some of the most vivid Northern Lights displays of the season.
Where to Stay
Yukon’s retreats balance comfort with easy access to wild landscapes. In Whitehorse, the Aurora, Sauna and Hot Springs: Modern Cabin Stay pairs private cabins with a wood-fired sauna and a visit to the natural hot springs. For a more remote setting, Aurora Dreams: An All-Inclusive Autumn Lodge Stay in the Yukon offers guided aurora viewing and a stay surrounded by the beauty of the Southern Lakes region.
Prefer a waterfront escape? Lakeside Retreat in the Land of the Midnight Sun delivers quiet days by the water and wide-open skies by night. Food lovers can combine northern lights with local flavours on Feast Your Eyes – Northern Lights in Autumn, while the Aurora Borealis Adventure provides a classic multi-day aurora experience with expert photography tips.
How to Experience the Season
Daylight hours are for hiking, canoeing, and soaking up the evolving colours—whether that’s the warm gold of early September or the stark beauty of frost-rimmed trees in October. Evenings invite you to wrap up in layers and watch the sky.
Getting Ready
Pack for variety. Early fall can feel almost like summer, while later trips require winter layers and insulated boots. Bring a tripod if you want photos, but leave time simply to look up. And book early — prime cabins and lodges fill fast once the first leaves turn.
From the lingering warmth to the first snowfalls, Yukon’s fall season offers something for every traveller. Whether you come for glowing tundra, brilliant night skies, or the quiet of early winter, these retreats make it easy to experience the North in all its shifting colour.