Faro Arboretum : Yukon, Canada

The Faro Arboretum is a botanical park and recreation destination in the Campbell Region in the community of Faro, Yukon Territory, Canada. The area is an interpretive day-use park and recreation trail designed to educate adventurers on the wildlife, flora and fauna in the Yukon.

Many of the plants in the Yukon are special to the area because of their tolerance to the short summers and cold winters. The arboretum was designed so to provide an opportunity to study the flora and fauna. The Faro Arboretum identifies the various trees and shrubs special to the Yukon Territory. It is recognized as the most northern arboretum in Canada.

Some of the trees in the park include Quaking Aspen (populus tremuloides), Green Alder (Alnus crispa), Grey Alder (Alnus incana), White Spruce (Picea glauca) and Pacific Willow (Salix lasiandra).

While hiking the recreation trail keep an eye out and see if you can identify some of the shrubs in the arboretum like the Dwarf Blueberry (Vaccinium ceaspitosum), Labrador Tea (Ledum palustre), Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum opulus) and the Buffaloberry (Shepherdia canadensis).

The Faro Arboretum includes a central area and a 1.2 kilometre loop trail. The central picnicking area is next to the gravel parking lot. Located around the gravel parking lot are small grass lawns. Some are flat, most are on a slope. There are picnic tables, pit toilets, a interpretive shelter, sitting benches and many, many interpretive signs. Some signs even talk.

The park is very family friendly. However, please note, the loop trail should be taken with care as there are some tricky sections and there is wildlife in the area.

The hiking trail includes hills in some sections as it leads explorers to a viewpoint. From the viewpoint one can view the village and the surrounding valley. Because there are some steep sections located along the trail there are some resting benches provided along the way.

The faro Arboretum Trail follows a dirt and gravel path. There are sections of the route with exposed tree roots and loose gravel. Watch your footing, especially coming down a hill.

Be aware you are in Bear Country. Always make noise in the wilderness and when confronted by wildlife always give them the right of way. When enjoying the wilderness always prepare for your adventure by dressing in layers and bringing plenty of water.

How to Get to the Faro Arboretum

Travel the Campbell Highway (Hwy #4) to the community of Faro, Yukon Territory in Canada. When in Faro travel Mitchell Road (main road before turning into the village) 800 metres pass the turn off to the entrance of the Faro Arboretum. Look for the road sign on your right marking the entrance.