Liard River Canoe Adventure

The Liard River is an Arctic Ocean drainage, emptying into the mighty Mackenzie River at Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories. The Mackenzie empties into the Beaufort Sea to the north near Inuvik, NWT. The headwaters of the Liard are in the Yukon down the eastern side of the western continental divide. Several feeders of the Yukon River, which also heads up in the Yukon Territory, drain the divide mountains to the west side. The upper Liard drains the Pelly Mountains, which make up part of the southeast corner of the Yukon Plateau. It, and the Peace River to the south in B.C., are the only rivers to cut through the Rocky Mountains in the USA or Canada.

The Upper Liard River is rated as a class II whitewater with easy rapids as well as waves up to two feet. Trips for beginners under supervision of an experienced riverguide. The Liard river canoe tour was created for people who want to experience loneliness, silence as well as the beauty of the wilderness in order to get away from the everyday routine. The sources of the Upper Liard are The Caribou Lakes, which are located at tree line altitude. The Caribou lakes invite for peaceful and relaxing paddling trips as well as for hiking around the lakes. The abundant fauna of this area provides high possibilities of wildlife encounters, perfect for photography.

Liard River Guided Canoe Tour - Itinerary

Whitehorse to Caribou Lakes
The canoe tour starts with a 75 minutes charter flight by floatplane from Whitehorse to Caribou Lakes, the headwaters of the Liard River. This flight offers incredible views of the Teslin and Nisutlin Rivers and the various mountain ranges in between. The Caribou Lakes have many Northern Pike and in the connecting river you can fish for Arctic Grayling and Bull Trout.

Canoeing Liard River
During the first hours, the river is fairly narrow with random boulders and slow current. Once we are on the Liard River, the increased water flow will add momentum to our paddling experience. We will not encounter rapids or portages, but we will have to be alert for sweepers, sleepers, log jams or unexpected gravel bars at all times. Further down the river widens as the speed of the current increases. Rocks, boulders and occasional sweepers require your full attention. The Liard River is rarely traveled so it provides good opportunities to view moose, bears, eagles, beavers as well as a wide variety of birds. The river is boarded by almost impenetrable forest. The spectacular sights of snow caped mountains will take your breath away all along your journey. If the weather permits we'll climb a mountain to enjoy the unsurpassed views taking in the whole Liard River valley with vistas in every direction.

Return to Whitehorse
At the end of paddling the river, you will reach the Alaska Highway near Watson Lake. Return to Whitehorse.