The opportunities to celebrate summer solstice in the 80% pristine Yukon wilderness are endless, and in some parts of the Yukon, so are the days.

In the upper Northwest corner of Canada, next to Alaska, the Yukon is Canada's most accessible northern destination where summer solstice generally falls on or around 21 June, marking the official arrival of summer. During the weeks before and after the longest day of the year, the Yukon skies are packed with an abundance of glorious daylight. North of the Arctic Circle, the sun stays above the horizon for weeks.

With UK-Canada borders remaining closed for the time being, now is the perfect time to start planning to celebrate the 2022 summer solstice in the Yukon. The territory is called the “land of the midnight sun” because the sun still shines bright at midnight.

There are plenty of ways for visitors to enjoy this energizing time of year in the Yukon. Join the National Indigenous Peoples Day festivities held in communities throughout the territory, welcome summer with a picnic at the top of the Dome in Dawson City, or head out to explore the sandy beaches of Carcross before enjoying a locally crafted beer on a patio under the glow of the midnight sun.

To help make the most of endless days under bright, beautiful skies, here are the top suggestions for visitors to maximise their time having fun under the Yukon Midnight Sun. All these excursions are easily accessible from Dawson City, the Gold Rush town. 

Drive up into the Arctic Circle

Those visitors that really want to experience the intensity of the longest day of the year, can drive up the Dempster Highway to the Artic Circle. This far north, visitors can witness the sun circle low on the horizon but never setting.

Bike the Midnight Dome at Midnight

Just five miles from Dawson City is the Midnight Dome, a magical place where for decades people have gathered at the top of this 877-metre (2911ft) hill to watch the Midnight Sun and the spectacular changing colours of the bright night sky. There's nothing in the world like it. Visitors will marvel at the panoramic view of the city below, as well as the beauty of the Yukon River and Klondike Valleys. Spy the Ogilvie Mountain Range in the distance. Renting a bike is easy. Riding it up the hill is a slightly more challenging.

Take the perfect paddle

Perhaps one of the most exhilarating ways to celebrate the summer solstice is to kayak or canoe down the Yukon River. Visitors will paddle through the stunning raw beauty of northern nature and observe wildlife like golden eagles, osprey, moose, and even grizzlies. A number of local vendors, including Dawson City River Hostel, Klondike River Adventure Tours, and North of Sherwood Guiding, rent equipment and offer expert-guided tours.

Pan for Klondike Gold

Dawson City was at the centre of the Klondike Gold Rush, when the discovery of Yukon gold in 1896 began a stampede of more than 100,000 prospectors. Visit Dredge No. 4 National Historic Site, then head to Free Claim #6 to get knee-deep in gold rush history. It's about a half a mile upstream from the original Discovery Claim that kicked off the gold rush. Visitors are allowed to keep what they find.

Helicopter to Tombstone Territorial Park

Visitors can jump on a chopper and watch the scenery change from lush forested hills to the arid alpine tundra that makes up the Tombstone Park. Fly by dramatic, jagged, grey and black peaks and down into deep valleys and glacial-fed lakes. Land at Talus Lake for lunch where the lichen-covered ground crunches satisfactorily under your feet before springing right back. It's not the moon, but it definitely feels like another world.

Take me to the Yukon with Bon Voyage in 2022:
Bon Voyage has launched a 14-day Klondike Trails - Summer In Yukon tour from £2815 per person. Price includes return flights from the UK to Whitehorse, 13 nights' accommodation in tourist-moderate class hotels (2 x breakfast and dinner, use of mountain bikes, kayaks, canoes, beach cruisers and other inn facilities during your stay at the Inn on the Lake, Marsh Lake), 14 days SUV rental including taxes, Alaska Marine Highway Ferry from Haines to Skagway (passengers and car space) and Gold Mine Tour with gold panning in Dawson City. Tour available from 28 May until 31 August 2022. To book, call 0800 316 0194 or visit bon-voyage.co.uk

For further information on the Yukon, visit travelyukon.com