Why Rent On Lake Laberge

Lake Laberge is a 50-kilometre widening of the Yukon River lying just north of Whitehorse, its deep sapphire water cold, clear, and carrying the weight of serious history. The wreck of the A.J. Goddard — a Gold Rush sternwheeler that sank here in 1901 — has been designated an historic site by the Yukon government, and the lake’s literary fame stretches further still. Cozy cabins and beautiful waterfront vacation homes near Whitehorse put guests within a 30-minute drive while keeping restaurants, gear shops, and grocery stores close at hand. For families making the journey north, this is the kind of lake that immediately communicates: you have arrived somewhere that matters.

Summer Days That Never Seem to End

The Yukon’s midnight sun means fishing for burbot and lake trout in golden light at ten in the evening, which is exactly as wonderful as it sounds. Boat launches along the shoreline welcome kayakers and canoeists, and the surrounding dense forests reward hikers and wildlife watchers with reliable sightings of moose, foxes, and bald eagles. Families with multiple generations split easily here: anglers take the water, hikers take the trails, and younger kids stay close to a lakeside rental with a generous deck and a hot tub within easy reach. Pet-friendly rentals in the area provide ample outdoor space for dogs to run while their owners watch the lake.

Winter at the Edge of the Arctic

When Laberge freezes, it becomes a winter destination of rare, still beauty. Ice fishing is popular and meditative, snowmobilers explore the routes along the Takhini River, and the Northern Lights stage some of their most vivid performances over the open water. Dog sledding is available nearby, and the deep cold and dark of a Yukon winter gives the lake a quality of silence that is genuinely hard to find anywhere closer to home. Whitehorse — 30 minutes south — has all the gear shops, restaurants, and amenities a family needs to prepare for a comfortable backcountry adventure.

Why a Rental Beats a Hotel Here

A lakehouse or private cabin near Lake Laberge gives your group the flexibility that no hotel can match in this part of the Yukon. You can store fishing gear, cook your catch, and sit on a deck watching the Northern Lights without a checkout time on your mind. Multiple bedrooms comfortably accommodate the larger groups who tend to be drawn to this level of remoteness.

What To Know

Laberge’s cold water and sometimes strong winds make open-water swimming genuinely risky, especially for young children. Keep swimming to calmer, shallower inlets and bays, and this destination rewards every type of traveller — from the seriously adventurous to the deeply restful.