Communities

Watson Lake

Watson Lake is the first community travellers reach once the Alaska Highway crosses into the Yukon. It’s a friendly town that’s used to greeting visitors with plenty of services and a variety of attractions. Watson Lake is a tight-knit small town of about 1200 people in Southeastern Yukon, just 15 minutes north of the BC Border.

Watson Lake is home to the Parhelion Medical Clinic and Watson Lake Community Hospital.

One such attraction is Sign Post Forest. This iconic Yukon landmark was born when a soldier working on the construction of the Alaska Highway in 1942 posted a sign in the direction of his hometown. Over the decades, visitors from all over the world have added their own signs—just one more thing for you to cram into your suitcase. 

Visit Wye Lake boardwalk to see how many different types of birds you can spot. Nearby Lucky Lake is a pretty spot for a picnic and a swim. Or head up the highway to the Rancheria Falls Recreation Site and follow the walkway to the waterfalls.

Stop for the services, and stay for the experiences. In Watson Lake, you’ll find plenty of both.

HOW DO I GET TO WATSON LAKE?

Watson Lake is about a 4hr and 45 minute drive from Whitehorse. It is not accessible by airplane.

Directions from Whitehorse
Go south on the Alaska Highway and it is 436 KM (271 miles)

Directions from Fort Nelson
Go north on the Alaska Highway. We are 510 KMs (317 miles) from Fort Nelson, just over the Yukon/BC border.

Directions from Prince George
It is 1371 KM (852 miles) – take highway 16 north to New Hazelton and then Highway 37 north to the Alaska Highway go east on the Alaska Highway and it is about 29 KM (18 miles) to Watson Lake OR go down HWY 97 N to Dawson Creek and then left onto Mile 0 of the world famous, historical  Alaska Highway

FUN FACTS ABOUT WATSON:

• Wood bison, the largest land mammal in North America, can often be seen grazing along the Alaska Highway south of Watson Lake.

• Known as “The Gateway to the Yukon,” Watson Lake is the first Yukon community on the Alaska Highway when travelling from BC.

• Watson Lake is named after Frank Watson, who left California in the 1897 rush for Klondike gold.

• Watson Lake Ski Hill (the longest operating ski hill in the Yukon)

• Lucky Lake with the most northern outdoor waterslide in Canada. 

• There are many multi-use trails around Watson Lake area from cross country skiing to hiking to quadding and/or motocross. 

• Longest running outdoor Curling Bonspiel in Canada

• According to Guinness book of world records: The largest collection of stolen articles put on public display (Sign Post Forest)  

• Two hours from Laird Hot Springs