Five Finger Rapids — Yukon River Canyon Viewpoint

Five Finger Rapids sits roughly 50 kilometres south of Carmacks on the North Klondike Highway (Hwy 2), and it’s one of those roadside stops that actually earns your time. Four basalt columns rise mid-river, dividing the Yukon into five distinct channels — the rightmost being the navigable one used historically by steamboats. The viewpoint has a wooden staircase descending toward the river, interpretive panels, and a picnic area. Scenery is legitimately impressive, especially when the river is running high and green in early summer.

This is a logical rest stop for rigs running the Minto Resettlement Road or heading north through Carmacks toward the Stewart Crossing routes. Pull off, stretch your legs, check the Yukon’s water level if you’re planning any river access downstream. No fees, no reservation. Cell signal is typically non-existent this far from Whitehorse without a satellite device.

Basalt pillars splitting the Yukon River.