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.

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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.
Teslin Lake
59.8333, -132.3000

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.

Summer
Jun-Aug · 10-20°C
Warmest and most accessible period with long daylight - ideal for boating, fishing and hiking around the lake.
Shoulder seasons
May, Sep · 0-10°C
Cool to chilly, fewer visitors and variable access; some services may be limited in shoulder months.
Winter
Nov-Mar · -30--10°C
Very cold with the lake often frozen and limited summer-style access; travel can be difficult and is only for well-prepared visitors.

Weather & Climate near Teslin Lake #

Climate

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.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
20°
Warmest Month
-22°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -13°C and lows of -22°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm).

Comfort

-17°
Feels Like Freezing
-17°C
Temperature
-22° -13°

Weather

37 mm
Rainfall
1.6 m/s
Wind
Calm

February

February is freezing with highs of -7°C and lows of -18°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

-13°
Feels Like Freezing
-13°C
Temperature
-18° -7°

Weather

25 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm

March

March is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -13°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

-7°
Feels Like Freezing
-7°C
Temperature
-13°

Weather

23 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm

April

April is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -6°C. The driest month with just 13 mm.

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-6°

Weather

13 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm

May

May is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 0°C. Light rainfall.

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°

Weather

24 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm

June

June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm).

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
18°

Weather

33 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm

July

July is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm).

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
20°

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm

August

August is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm).

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
19°

Weather

46 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm

September

September is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with 51 mm of rain.

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°

Weather

51 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm

October

October is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°

Weather

49 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm

November

November is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -12°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm).

Comfort

-8°
Feels Like Freezing
-8°C
Temperature
-12° -4°

Weather

33 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm

December

December is freezing with highs of -10°C and lows of -19°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm).

Comfort

-15°
Feels Like Freezing
-15°C
Temperature
-19° -10°

Weather

34 mm
Rainfall
1.6 m/s
Wind
Calm

Nearby Attractions to Teslin Lake