Teslin Lake
Lake Long Yukon–British Columbia lake, important First Nations area
Straddling Yukon and British Columbia, Teslin Lake offers anglers and boaters long stretches of water, remote campsites and access to local Tlingit communities and small museums in lakeside settlements.
Teslin Lake is a long, narrow lake straddling the border between Yukon and British Columbia in northwest Canada and forms part of the Teslin River system.
The lake offers fishing, boating and scenic drives along its shoreline, and several small settlements and cultural sites are located on its shores. Natural features include forested slopes, islands and extended open-water stretches that are used for recreation and subsistence by local communities.
The lake and river corridor have long been important to the Indigenous peoples of the region and later served as a transportation and contact route during the era of northern exploration and development. Contemporary communities maintain cultural centres and museums that interpret this history.
Teslin Lake lies along a north-south axis in northwestern Canada, with its northern reaches in Yukon near the community of Teslin and its southern arms extending into northern British Columbia; it is located along inland routes that connect to the Alaska Highway.
- Size and form: The lake is long and narrow, roughly on the order of 100 kilometres in length, and forms a notable feature of the Teslin River system.
- Jurisdiction and communities: The lake straddles the boundary between Yukon and British Columbia and is an important focal point for local First Nations communities.
What to See #
- Teslin Village: A small settlement on the lake's northern shore contains the Teslin Tlingit Heritage Centre, which interprets local Tlingit culture and history.
How to Get to Teslin Lake #
Drive: Teslin Lake is reached via the Alaska Highway. From Whitehorse, Yukon, drive roughly 170-200 km south along the Alaska Highway to the community of Teslin on the lake - the trip takes about 2-2.5 hours by car depending on conditions. The lake straddles Yukon and British Columbia, and the village of Teslin is the main road-access point with parking and basic services.
Public transport: there is limited or no regular public transit along this stretch of the Alaska Highway; most visitors travel by private car, tour vehicle, or scheduled long‑distance coach services where available - check seasonal schedules in advance.
Tips for Visiting Teslin Lake #
- Access to the lake is seasonal and remote-plan visits for the summer months when roads are passable, and use the Alaska Highway/Teslin corridor as your main overland approach with overnight stops in Teslin village or nearby lodges.
- If you want quiet bays or photographic viewpoints, arrange boat access or overnight accommodation through local outfitters rather than relying on roadside pull‑offs; many services around the lake run only in summer so book ahead.
Best Time to Visit Teslin Lake #
Visit in summer for the mildest conditions and easiest access to lake activities.
Weather & Climate near Teslin Lake #
Teslin Lake's climate is classified as Subarctic (Dry Summer) - Subarctic (Dry Summer) climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -22°C to 20°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -13°C and lows of -22°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm).
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February
February is freezing with highs of -7°C and lows of -18°C. Light rainfall.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -13°C. Light rainfall.
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April
April is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -6°C. The driest month with just 13 mm.
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May
May is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 0°C. Light rainfall.
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June
June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm).
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July
July is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm).
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August
August is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm).
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September
September is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with 51 mm of rain.
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October
October is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm).
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November
November is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -12°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm).
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December
December is freezing with highs of -10°C and lows of -19°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm).