During the 2024 paddle season, I celebrated my milestone 50th birthday by paddling over 50 Yukon lakes
Kùsawu.â is a Tlingit name meaning “narrow lake.” Nekhᶙ Män (Southern Tutchone) means “rafting across lake,” speaking to the narrowest point at the north end where people crossed.
Through the winter, I gathered insights and details about each lake to create the 50 Lakes Yukon guidebook, which will soon be available in bookstores. As part of this summer series, I will be highlighting various Yukon lakes, each with its unique features and highlights. Starting with arguably the most popular summer-weekend lake destination of Kusawa/ Nekhų Män/ Kùsawu.â.
Kùsawu.â is a Tlingit name meaning “narrow lake.” Nekhᶙ Män (Southern Tutchone) means “rafting across lake,” speaking to the narrowest point at the north end where people crossed.
Kusawa Lake lies within the traditional territories of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation, Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations.
The lake offers stunning views of majestic mountains and a scenic drive through the valley. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot Dall sheep on the slopes of Mount Vanier to the northeast, and Mount Coudert along the eastern shores. Kusawa Lake serves as a breeding and staging habitat for loons, mergansers, gulls, and terns and is designated as a fishing-conservation waters area.
It’s an incredibly popular recreation area and a family-friendly destination with a sandy beach section and a playground, making it a perfect spot for people of all ages. For those seeking solitude, numerous small beaches and potential overnight spots can be found along the shore.
Kusawa Lake is 74 kilometres long and 2.4 kilometres wide at its widest point. It lies at 671 metres or 2,201 feet in elevation. The lake is an expansion of the Nekhů Chù (Takhini River), which drains into the Yukon River just north of Whitehorse. The Takhini River is popular among paddlers for day trips and overnight adventures, featuring exciting whitewater sections like the Rock Gardens and the Jaws.
The lake can be easily accessed at the Kusawa Lake North Campground. The north campground is well serviced with a dock, boat launch, picnic shelter, playground, sandy beach, wheelchair accessible campground and outhouse, and garbage. The south campground has additional camping, a picnic shelter, and more sandy and pebble beaches. Not surprisingly, the lake campgrounds are often full through the summer months. Takhini River campground, at km 14 of Kusawa Lake Road, is another camping option with river, but no lake, access.
There is access to the lake’s north end, by way of a short portage down a steep bank. This is where many paddlers will launch to access the popular Nekhů Chù/Tahkini River with its exciting whitewater sections.
Kusawa is a great destination to combine a paddle with a day hike. The Kusawa Ridge trailhead is close to the campgrounds. The 8 kilometre/4.5-hour hike takes you up the ridge to a viewpoint overlooking the lake.
Caution: Recreators should be prepared for high and sudden winds on this long, narrow lake.
To get there, head north on the Alaska Highway towards Haines Junction. Turn west at km 1489 onto Kusawa Lake Road to km 23 for the north campground. The distance from Whitehorse is 90.1 kilometres with a drive time of 1 hour, 16 minutes.
More from the 50 Lakes series
Taagish Méné (Tagish Lake)
Łʼèx Hîni Shâk Âyi (Rose Lake)
Chu Cho (‘Big Water’) — Little Salmon Lake
Dòon Chúu — Fisheye Lake
A Lake With A Big Sky Vibe
Äshèyi Mǟn
50 Lakes: Autumn’s magic in every valley
Great Things Can Come in Small Packages
Things Are Really “#$@!” Up!
A Slow Start
The Thrill Of The Seasonal (Gear) Swap
