Tincup Lodge Overview: What Makes This Yukon Wilderness Lodge Special

Everything you need to know about Tincup Wilderness Lodge, from remote fly-in access and private cabins to fishing, wildlife, and life in Yukon’s backcountry. Photo credit: Meinrad Humm, Tincup Wilderness Lodge
 

A Fly-In Wilderness Lodge That Redefines Remote Luxury

Tincup Lodge sits on the shores of Tincup Lake in southern Yukon, accessible only by air. This isn’t a resort or a staged adventure experience—it’s a true immersion into wilderness, where silence replaces schedules, wildlife moves freely through the landscape, and the rhythms of nature set the pace of each day.

In late summer, the northern lights may appear overhead. Wildlife roams the surrounding forest. And with no roads, no cell service, and no neighbouring properties, Tincup offers a level of remoteness that’s increasingly rare in North America.

Below is everything you need to know about what makes Tincup Lodge special.

What is Tincup Lodge?

Tincup Wilderness Lodge is a remote, fly-in wilderness lodge operating from mid-June to mid-September in Yukon’s backcountry. Accessible only by air, the Lodge is set on a secluded lake far from roads and communities, offering a quiet, immersive stay in a largely untouched landscape. Guests stay in private lakeside cabins and experience the region through unstructured time in nature, with access to equipment and local knowledge provided by the Lodge team.

Key Facts:
 

• Location: Tincup Lake, Yukon Territory, Canada
• Access: Ground transfer from Whitehorse to Burwash Landing, followed by helicopter or floatplane to the Lodge
• Season: June–September
• Capacity: Maximum 10 guests
• Style: All-inclusive wilderness lodge with private cabins

The Tincup Setting: Why Location Matters

Pristine Yukon Wilderness

Tincup Lake stretches roughly 15 kilometres through boreal forest and open wilderness. The Lodge is the only structure on the lake—an intentional choice that preserves the sense of isolation and keeps the environment undisturbed.

The southern Yukon location offers:

• Reliable weather windows for air access
• Prime habitat for grizzly and black bears, moose, and birds of prey
• Northern lights visibility from late August onward
• Extended daylight hours in summer
• Exceptionally clean lake water

The Fly-In Advantage

• No road access or day visitors
• Minimal pressure on fishing waters
• Wildlife behaving naturally in its habitat
• Complete disconnection from urban life
• Exclusive access to surrounding wilderness

What Tincup Lodge Offers

Private Cabins

• Individual log cabins for privacy
• Wood stoves for warmth
• Comfortable beds with quality linens
• Modern European-designed furnishings, produced specifically for the Lodge
• Private decks with lake or forest views
• High-speed Starlink internet
• Each cabin includes a private bathroom

Main Lodge

• Communal dining area overlooking the lake
• Library with regional reference books and maps
• Covered deck for wildlife observation
• High-speed Starlink internet
• Central gathering space with stone fireplace

All-Inclusive Experience

• All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks)
• Non-alcoholic beverages (alcohol is an additional expense)
• Fishing on Tincup Lake
• Use of boats and fishing equipment
• Wildlife viewing opportunities
• Access to hiking routes around the Lodge
• Equipment, safety briefings, and local knowledge provided by lodge staff

Daily Activities

Fishing 

• Lake trout, grayling, northern pike, and whitefish in Tincup Lake
• Arctic grayling in nearby streams
• Northern pike in surrounding waters
• Fly fishing or spin casting
• Catch-and-release or shore lunch options

Wildlife Viewing

• Possible sightings of grizzly and black bears in the surrounding area
• Moose often visible at dawn and dusk
• Bald eagles and osprey
• Occasional wolf or lynx sightings
• Excellent birdwatching opportunities

Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed and occur naturally as part of the wilderness environment.

Exploration

• Hiking to viewpoints and natural areas (routes and safety guidance provided)
• Photography opportunities
• Canoeing and kayaking
• Swimming in the lake during warmer months
• Northern lights viewing (late season conditions)
• Heli-adventures and scenic helicopter tours (optional add-on)

Who Tincup Lodge Is For

Ideal For:

• Anglers seeking lightly pressured waters
• Wildlife photographers hoping to see grizzlies, moose, and northern species
• Couples looking for a quiet wilderness escape
• Families with teens (ages 14+)
• Solo travellers seeking reflection and disconnection
• Groups interested in exclusive-use bookings

Not Ideal For:

• Travellers needing constant connectivity
• Those uncomfortable with small aircraft
• Visitors expecting resort-style amenities
• Guests seeking nightlife or shopping
• Anyone requiring nearby medical facilities

What Makes Tincup Different
 

True Remoteness

Many lodges advertise remoteness. Tincup delivers it—no roads, no cell towers, and no neighbouring properties. Most guests notice the mental shift within the first 48 hours.

Owner-Operated Authenticity

Tincup Lodge is run by a couple who live in Yukon year-round. The knowledge shared around the fireplace comes from lived experience in the wilderness, not scripted programming.

Wildlife as Part of the Landscape

Grizzly bears, black bears, moose, and other wildlife are part of the ecosystem here—not attractions. Encounters happen naturally and unpredictably, reinforcing that this is a living wilderness, not a curated experience.

Flexible, Not Programmed

There’s no fixed itinerary. Guests shape their own days:

• Sleep in and read on the deck
• Fish from morning to evening
• Spend hours photographing landscapes and wildlife
• Mix activity with long stretches of stillness

Lodge hosts provide suggestions, safety guidance, and local insight—without turning the experience into a schedule.

Intimate Scale

With a maximum of 10 guests, the Lodge never feels crowded. Boats, quiet shoreline spots, and shared spaces are easy to access, and the atmosphere stays personal throughout the stay.

The Tincup Experience

Arrival Day

After arriving in Whitehorse, guests travel by road to Burwash Landing, then continue by helicopter or floatplane to Tincup Lake. As the aircraft touches down, phone signal disappears—and the stillness takes over immediately.

A Typical Day

• Early morning coffee with views across the lake
• Hearty breakfast served family-style
• Self-directed activities: fishing, hiking, paddling, or rest
• Lunch at the Lodge or packed for the day
• Afternoon exploration or quiet time
• Evening appetizers and conversation
• Dinner featuring fresh, thoughtfully prepared meals
• Fireside evenings and, later in the season, the northern lights

Departure

When it’s time to leave, most guests depart feeling recalibrated—reconnected to a slower rhythm shaped by light, weather, and landscape.

Practical Considerations

Getting There

• Fly commercially to Whitehorse
• Ground transfer to Burwash Landing
• Helicopter or floatplane transfer to Tincup Lake (arranged by the Lodge)

What's Included

• Private cabin accommodations
• All meals and non-alcoholic beverages (alcohol is an additional expense)
• Use of fishing, paddling, and hiking equipment
• Air transfers to and from Burwash Landing
• Assistance with fishing licence requirements

What's Not Included

• Flights to Whitehorse
• Fishing licences
• Travel insurance

When to Visit

• June–July: Long daylight hours, peak fishing, wildflowers
• August: Warm temperatures, berry season, excellent fishing
• September: Fall colours, fewer insects, northern lights viewing

Is Tincup Lodge Worth It?

For travelers seeking genuine wilderness rather than curated adventure, Tincup offers something increasingly rare: complete disconnection, exceptional fishing, and the freedom to explore at your own pace. The cost reflects the realities of operating in a fly-in location—air access, remote logistics, and an all-inclusive stay in a roadless region. You’re not paying for guided programming or luxury amenities; you’re paying for access to a secluded corner of the Yukon where the landscape, not the itinerary, sets the rhythm of the experience.

The Bottom Line

Tincup Lodge isn’t a resort. It’s a thoughtfully run wilderness basecamp offering remoteness, solitude, pristine water, and the freedom to experience Yukon on your own terms.

For anglers: lightly pressured waters.
For photographers: wildlife and landscapes without crowds.
For everyone: a rare opportunity to experience what much of the North once was.