Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
416 reviews
Excellent
285
Very good
102
Average
27
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Barheat
Hamilton, Canada1,751 contributions
May 2023
The Emerald Lake represents the furthest travel into the Yukon for cruise ship passengers touring from Skagway. It is also one of the highlights of the tour. The vivid colour of the water is caused by marl, fine particle clays and silt, that reflects the green colour of the spectrum. We visited in May and were able to take photos of snow covered mountains in the background.
Written June 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wloo_andrew
Waterloo, Canada889 contributions
Sep. 2022
If the sun is out and overhead, the water comes alive with beautiful shades of blue and green. There's a large pullout at the side of the road with some information panels that explain what makes the water such a beautiful colour.
Written September 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandra M
8 contributions
Aug. 2022
Must stop for pictures. One of the most beautiful places to see and photograph. Would not drive by here without stopping!
Written August 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sbrown2576
5 contributions
Jul. 2022
What a sight to see. The colors of the water, the mountains, so peaceful. Just about 30 minutes from Whitehorse so it is worth the drive.
Written August 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gwen S
18 contributions
Jul. 2022
Passed by. This on the bus journey from Skagway to Whitehorse. Very unusual coloration. The locals say it is where the Northern Lights sleep during the day— and it looks just like that!
Written July 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
El Ti
Ottawa, Canada17 contributions
Jun. 2022
I visited Emerald Lake as part of a longer tour with Epic North Tour Experiences. Emerald Lake is amazingly beautiful. Don't miss it!
Written June 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NorthOfEverest
3 contributions
May 2022 • Friends
Beautiful, many hiking trails surrounding the lake, easy hiking. Frozen over in early May, but still very much worth the stop. More pics on @northofeverest (IG/Tiktok)
Written May 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arthur M
Hamilton, Canada1,038 contributions
Sep. 2021 • Family
We went on a rainy day but the green colours were still showing up. Now I wondee how they look like at a sunny day. The contrast will definitelt be even more stark. Regardless, it is a good place to stop along the South Klondike Highwau.
On normal times, tour buses come here from the cruises back down in Skagway aa an excursion so happy to enjoy it while they are still not allowed to get in and have a more quiet time.
On normal times, tour buses come here from the cruises back down in Skagway aa an excursion so happy to enjoy it while they are still not allowed to get in and have a more quiet time.
Written September 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MEHRAN44
Vancouver, Canada68 contributions
Jul. 2021 • Friends
A beautiful lake mind blowing scene
One of the Banff park lakes to see different colour of water
Calm and relaxing
One of the Banff park lakes to see different colour of water
Calm and relaxing
Written July 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KJElmer
Tacoma, WA192 contributions
Oct. 2020 • Couples
Not much to do hear (that I could tell) but look and be stunned at the colors and landscape. Worth visiting the southern lakes.
Written October 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emily M
New Delhi, India
Is November a good time to see the northern lights and also will the lake be frozen?
Ron747
Whitehorse, Canada48 contributions
Sorry for the delay in responding. All small lakes will be frozen November and larger lakes will start to freeze over. Northern lights can only be seen in our winter months as in the summer we have nearly 24 hours of light which would wash out any northern lights.
Kathryn R
Brisbane, Australia242 contributions
Is December an OK month to view the Northern Lights?
Sandra S
Whitehorse, Canada73 contributions
Yes, December could be a good month, it always depends if it's clear or not. The best thing is to check the activity. I live in the Yukon and I saw beautiful northern light lights, as well as in NWT and even southern parts of the country like Quebec but less common to reach the southern parts.
If you are looking for a trip to the Yukon, for the aurora borealis forecast
just type Aurora borealis forecast and then, yukon or canada if you wish.
Unfortunately, I cannot put the links here due to posting guidelines.
Take care!
Jacey_rock
Canada7 contributions
Hello,
We will be renting a car in Skagway and driving up the South Klondike Highway to emerald lake.
We are very interested in hiking around and down to the lake. I have searched and googled and have not come across any information on hiking trails.
Are there any trails at all? If so, are the trail heads easy to find?
Thanks :)
shelley k
Whitehorse, Canada2 contributions
If you stop at the lookout on the highway, you can pretty much see from that height, all the trails around the lake. Also just across the road is Spirit Lake , which have beautiful recreation trails as well. Don't forget to make a stop at the Carcross Desert just up the road! It's a great hike up the dunes to the back of the desert! Enjoy your trip, and beware of "Pull of the Yukon", once you come, you always want to come back!
What causes the bright green around the lake?
Also, is there any history be hide it of how it came to be?
travelwisard
Tisdale, Canada151 contributions
The color derives from light reflecting off white deposits of marl, a mixture of clay and calcium carbonate, at the bottom of the shallow waters. Its that simple :)
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Claim your listingEMERALD LAKE - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Emerald Lake
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Emerald Lake:
- Day-Trip To Skagway - Gateway to the Klondike Goldrush (From C$377.47)
- Private luxury shore excursion Skagway, AK to Emerald Lake, Yukon. (From C$1,358.94)
- Arctic Day: Carcross & Southern Lakes Hiking Tour | full day (From C$288.94)
- Skagway Shore Excursion: Yukon Dog Sledding and Sightseeing Tour (From C$251.40)
- DIY Yukon Tour (From C$713.45)
- Hotels near Emerald Lake:
- (10.67 km) Boréale Ranch
- (13.26 km) Dunroamin' Retreat
- (8.52 km) Cabins Over Crag Lake
- (13.91 km) Wheaton River Wilderness Retreat
- (10.70 km) Spirit Lake Wilderness Resort
- Restaurants near Emerald Lake:
- (11.47 km) Caribou Crossing Coffee
- (11.52 km) The Bistro on Bennett
- (11.23 km) Chilkoot Trail Authentic Sourdough Bakery
- (10.05 km) Spirit Lake Motel
- (9.42 km) Frisky Fresh Fish