Watson Lake, Yukon's Gateway


	WATSON LAKE – GATEWAY TO YUKON RECREATION -- Fun Capital Extraordinaire --Plan YOUR next visit to Watson Lake and be prepared to PLAY! Golf that is, or perhaps Jet Boating on the Liard River. Check out the Waterslide or Beach Volleyball at Lucky Lake. Water Ski, Camp, Swim, or maybe a peaceful Nature Hike within our spectacular trail system. Like to play in the Fall & Winter? How about a Guided Hunt, Alpine or Nordic Cross Country Skiing, Snowmobiling, or maybe an afternoon of Ice Fishing. Looking for some new Excitement? - This true, "Four Season", destination awaits. Late in 2000, The Town of Watson Lake further enhanced its appeal in unveiling a new $7,000,000 Recreation Centre. This marvel features a Community Hall, Meeting Rooms, Squash Courts, Fitness Room, a Youth Centre, Bowling Alley, Hockey Arena, and Curling Club. The facility can accommodate a variety of tournament and league play and includes concessions, generous spectator seating, great heated viewing areas, five spacious dressing rooms, and separate quarters for officials. Our Meeting and Banquet rooms range from 600 to 6000 sq ft and Arena dry floor space provides additional areas of up to 16,740 sq ft. We have full kitchen and bar facilities available, or you may wish to take advantage of local caterers. There are a number of accommodations available in Watson Lake and we would be pleased to coordinate these arrangements for you also. Whether it’s a small Business Meeting, or much larger Gala, from Trade Shows to Festivals and Sporting Events, we can meet each of your personal requirements and look forward to hosting your visit.
	Add it all up and you’ll find this community, and its many attractions, among the finest in the Yukon Territory, the toughest part will be leaving… Come And Play! – Gateway To Yukon Recreation – Home of the famous Signpost Forest, the incredible Northern Lights Space and Science Centre and gateway to the exciting history and breathtaking scenery of Yukon. Situated in the rolling hills of southeast Yukon, Watson Lake offers many ways to enjoy the outdoors. Whether it be quiet trails, fishing, white water canoeing, horseback riding, or a chance to slide on the only man-made water slide north of 60°, Watson Lake is the place to do it. In the winter months, the gentle slopes and mixed aspen and coniferous forests can be explored by cross country skiing or snowmobile riding. Downhill skiing is available on Mt. Maichen and local lakes provide opportunities for skating or ice fishing. A new recreation centre complex provides bowling, squash, and indoor ice skating. Best of all, the spectacular Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) illuminate the black night sky with dancing displays of colour. Learn more about Watson Lake by visiting the Watson Lake Community Library (in the new Town administration building) or stop by the Visitor Information Centre (north of the Signpost Forest). The friendly staff can help you plan a relaxing or exciting stay . . . take your pick! (During winter months, check in at the town administration building for brochures and travel information).
	Wye Lake Park: A beautiful 26 hectare park set in downtown Watson Lake. Walking trails along Wye Lake with a boardwalk viewing platforms, interpretive panels and look-out loop covering the main 2.5 km trail. Excellent for bird viewing. An old beaver house has been left untouched for viewing. Picnic area, playground and band shell/gazebo. A log building, complete with washrooms, wheel-chair access and concession. (The building can be rented for parties etc.) The park entrance, picnic area and band shell/gazebo area are landscaped and have a very attractive appearance. Parking is available for about 50 vehicles. The park is used daily by residents year around for walking, jogging and skiing. Discovery Day Celebrations & Halloween Night are two annual events that take place at Wye Lake Park Lucky Lake: Picnic Tables Sandy beaches (changing rooms) Ball Diamond Hiking Trails Fire Pits A favorite spot for resident and visitors for swimming and picnicking. The park has the only WATER SLIDE north of 60º Latitude in Canada and the United States. The slide is 500 feet in length and drops 60 feet. Liard River Canyon: A well marked 3 km trail to the picturesque Canyon starts at the west end of the park. Across the river is a cairn which replaced the wooden post the George Dawson erected on this location to mark the B.C./Yukon border in 1887. The wooden post was replaced in 1928 by a cement cairn with a brass plaque. This is also the route that Robert Campbell took in the search for a passage way from Fort Halkett to the west side of the mountains. Birding: Some of the birds in Wye Lake Park are… Great Horned Owl Tree Swallow Mountain Bluebird Black-Capped Chickadee Ruffled Grouse Downy Woodpecker Canada Goose Gull Green-Violet Swallow Yellow-Rumped Warbler Solitary Sandpiper Bald Eagle American Kestrel Mallard Red-necked Grebe Highway Information Up the Alaska Highway Upper Liard is a small village about ten minutes driving from Watson Lake. There is a motel/restaurant/lounge called Liard Resort and there is an RV Park called the Green Valley RV Park which has showers and a small grocery store. There is also a golf course. Junction 37 is about fifteen minutes from Watson Lake and has a gas station, RV Park, restaurant and a lounge. Rancheria is about an hour's drive from Watson Lake. It has a gas station, RV Park, lounge, restaurant and motel. Swift River is about an hour and a half from Watson Lake. There is a restaurant and a gas station. Down the Alaska Highway Iron Creek is about an hour's drive from Watson Lake. Iron Creek has a restaurant, gas station and handles small repairs. Coal River is about two hours from Watson Lake. Coal River has a restaurant, gas station and handles small repairs. Lower Liard is a two and a half hour drive from Watson Lake. There is a restaurant, gas station, motel and it also provides services for minor repairs. Lower Liard is also a popular stop for the hotsprings. Muncho Lake is about a three hour drive from Watson Lake. There is a restaurant, gas station, motel and handles small repairs. Down the Stewart Cassiar Highway Boya Lake is a campground/park and is about 45 minutes from Watson Lake. Good Hope Lake has a gast station and groceries and is about an hour and a half drive from Watson Lake.