A Useful 7 Day Yukon Highway Journey Itinerary You may Love

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A Yukon street journey is among the most epic journeys in Canada. The Yukon, a territory in northwest Canada, is wild, mountainous, and sparsely populated. It’s residence to huge swaths of wilderness teeming with wildlife like bears, moose, caribou, and wolves. This street journey was our first time to the Yukon, and it blew us away — we all know we’ll return.

This Yukon street journey route heads north to the gold rush city of Dawson Metropolis earlier than driving up the Dempster Freeway to certainly one of our favourite parks on this planet Tombstone Territorial Park. Afterward, it’s again right down to Dawson and throughout to Alaska through the scenic Prime of the World Freeway.

The ultimate part includes the imposing Kluane Nationwide Park and Reserve, residence to monstrous glaciers and the tallest mountain in Canada, Mount Logan. Take into account this the quick model of the route, however when you have time, we’d actually suggest finishing the loop in two weeks, plus or minus just a few days.

This complete journey was accomplished with our wonderful jeep from Overland Yukon. We extremely suggest their automobiles for an superior Yukon journey.

The Final Yukon Highway Journey

(Klondike Kluane Loop Itinerary)

Day 1: Whitehorse

Most journeys to the Yukon begin within the capital of the Yukon, Whitehorse. Town is properly generally known as “The Wilderness Metropolis,” and it serves as a jumping-off place to discover the territory. It’s properly value an evening or two or perhaps a couple as many operators run excursions similar to climbing, white water rafting, mountain biking, and horseback using. Its charming historic metropolis middle with retailers and a number of other bars, cafes, and eating places are positive to entertain you for not less than an evening!

For anybody flying to The Yukon, this shall be your place to begin with flights from Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, and Frankfurt in the summertime.

That is the place to fill up on meals, gasoline, and provides earlier than taking off to discover the remainder of the territory, as costs will solely go up within the extra distant areas.

Try the Beringia Heart, SS Klondike, Miles Canyon Suspension Bridge, Whitehorse Fishladder and Hatchery, or the Yukon Wildlife Protect when you have time within the metropolis.

The place to eat in Whitehorse?

With solely two nights within the metropolis, we tried out only some locations, however all of them have been implausible. For dinners your first evening within the Yukon, you’ve acquired to check out the Miner’s Daughter/Soiled Northern.

It’s a gastropub with some implausible meals, drink, and environment with dishes like spicy kale salad, bison burgers, grilled salmon, and harissa wings.

In your approach out of city, seize some scrumptious morning joe at Midnight Solar Espresso Roasters.

The place to remain in Whitehorse?

There are a number of motels, guesthouses, and leases (Airbnb) within the metropolis. We stayed on the Coast Excessive Nation Inn and located it an ideal place to begin and finish our street journey within the Yukon. It’s only some blocks from Essential Avenue on the town, and we have been in a position to stroll round Whitehorse reasonably than driving. Breakfast was included; quick wifi speeds and free parking makes it a no brainer for us!

Tip: Refill your tank in Whitehorse! Not solely will or not it’s cheaper, however it might be some time till you see one other gasoline station. It might be greatest for those who additionally did any grocery buying you want in Whitehorse. There’s a Save On Meals that’s nice, and it’s going to be the perfect place to select up any meals gadgets. Shifting ahead, you’ll be grocery buying in small shops.

Day 2: Whitehorse to Dawson Metropolis (533 km)

Head to the historic Gold Rush city of Dawson Metropolis, which additionally occurs to be certainly one of our favourite cities on this planet. It’s the epicenter of all issues “Yukon,” and the city feels extra like a giant summer season camp for adults.

With all of that historical past, it’s listed as an official Nationwide Historic web site because it was the bottom for one of many biggest gold rushes in historical past, and nearly all of the buildings date again to this time.

For the beginning of the drive, you observe alongside the Yukon River, the previous artery of the Yukon within the age of steamships. It’s an attractive drive, and also you’ll wish to construct in some further time for stops.

Most notable is the 5 Finger Rapids, famed for its tough navigation and even famous in novels similar to Jack London’s Name of the Wild. On the way in which, cease on the Coal Mine Campground & Canteen for a burger in Carmacks or the Braeburn Lodge for a cinnamon bun the dimensions of your head.

Dawson Metropolis now serves as the bottom to discover all issues in regards to the outdated prospectors, First Nation’s individuals, and the encircling wilderness. The drive up from Whitehorse takes about six hours on a paved street.

When you’re within the metropolis, hit the picket boardwalks and step again in time. After a stroll down Entrance Avenue, head to the dike and watch the Yukon River rush onwards.

For those who really feel like studying extra in regards to the metropolis Parks Canada provides every day strolling excursions and go to the KSA, the Customer Data Centre. Or you may be taught in regards to the time earlier than the gold rush and be taught in regards to the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, on the Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre.

As soon as the sundown, if it ever does in the summertime months, head to Diamond Tooth Gerties for some blackjack, can-can dancers, and drinks. It’s Canada’s oldest playing corridor, and each evening they placed on three can-can exhibits, an evening that will get extra risque because the evening progresses.

The place to remain in Dawson Metropolis?

We arrived with our superior truck from Overland Yukon geared up with a rooftop tent. There are a few campsites round city, however the perfect one in our opinion is the Yukon River Campground.

It’s a quiet campground that sits together with the Yukon River and allows you to really feel at residence with nature. You’ll must take the free George Black Ferry that runs 24/7 a day, besides Friday morning for servicing.

If tenting just isn’t your scene, Dawson Metropolis does have quite a lot of motels and lodges. Don’t count on any five-star motels, although, as it’s the Yukon! For those who’re searching for a very good clear place to remain, try the Aurora Inn or the Bunkhouse for those who’re on a finances.

The place to eat in Dawson Metropolis?

Dawson Metropolis has a number of nice eating places to seize one thing to eat. For those who’re looking for one thing for brunch, try Alchemy for nice espresso and recent baked items. Or you may head to the Drunken Goat Tavern for some tasty Greek meals.

Nevertheless, essentially the most well-known cocktail on the town is a shot of whiskey garnished with a human toe on the Sourdough Saloon within the Downtown Resort. Sure, you learn that proper; a mummified human toe is the second ingredient within the well-known Sourtoe Cocktail.

Day 3: Dawson Metropolis to Tombstone Territorial Park (111 km)

After an evening or two in Dawson Metropolis, hit the street again out of city to the Tombstone Territorial Park. We’ve seen our justifiable share of pure magnificence, however few locations examine to the Tombstone within the fall.

It’s the Yukon’s most iconic picture because the shrubs and bushes flip to vivid reds, golds, and oranges throughout jagged mountain peaks. The drive via the parks is nothing in need of breathtaking, be ready for tons of picture stops.

There are some phenomenal hikes right here, and we have been left eager to discover a lot extra of this beautiful park. The most well-liked hikes are the Grizzly Valley and Goldensides, that are straightforward for anybody of average health.

For those who want extra details about the park and suggestions, head to the Tombstone Interpretive Heart. With only a evening, we solely acquired a style of what the park has to supply, and we’ll must make plans to return for a multi-day climbing and scrambling journey.

We spent an evening on the campground, but when we had extra time, I’d suggest two-three nights to benefit from the nice climbing within the park. It’s a shocking a part of the world, and we’re already planning our return sometime quickly to sort out new peaks.

The place to remain in Tombstone Territorial Park?

There’s just one designated campsite within the park, and it operates on a first-come, first-serve foundation. It’s a primary campsite with a number of drop bathrooms and kitchen shelters which can be properly managed. Particular person campsites are properly spaced out with room for automobiles. There’s additionally free firewood so long as you pay the fireplace allow price.

Day 4: Dempster Freeway (736 km)

After getting your fill of the Tombstone Park to drive up the Dempster Freeway for some wild surroundings, the Dempster Freeway is among the most epic drives in North America and extends from Dawson Metropolis to the city of Inuvik.

It’s a protracted 736 km drive that crosses via Tombstone Territorial Park and into the Arctic Circle. Then lastly connects to a freeway from Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk, which sits on the Arctic Ocean.

It’s a shocking drive that crosses huge swaths of wilderness and roaming caribou. The Dempster is the furthest North all-season freeway and stays open all 12 months lengthy.

We didn’t have sufficient time to drive the total street, and for those who plan to take the journey, it’s a journey in itself. As a substitute, we drove North of Tombstone into the open Tundra to witness the altering panorama.

For those who plan to make the total drive cease on the NWT Dempster Freeway Customer Heart for street circumstances.

On any lengthy drive, it’s a good suggestion to depart early with further time to get out of the car to take pictures, hike, and benefit from the breathtaking surroundings. You’re going to wish to take plenty of pictures on this drive!

Day 5: Dawson Metropolis to Rooster through Prime of the World Freeway (174 km)

The Prime of the World Freeway is a route that connects Dawson Metropolis and japanese Alaska, essentially the most northerly border submit between Canada and the US.

After we completed within the Tombstone Territorial Park, we made our approach again to Dawson Metropolis for an evening to avoid wasting sufficient time for the subsequent drive and discover the city a bit extra.

After taking the George Black Ferry out of city, head West alongside the Prime of the World Freeway. It’s one other spectacular drive because the gravel street snakes throughout the highest a collection of hills and ridges that present views down wild valleys.

As we’d timed our journey to the Yukon in Fall (late August/early September), the colours have been on full show, and it was mind-blowing.

We’d thought that the drive up the Dempster and Tombstone Territorial Park we’re going to be our highlights of the entire journey. Nevertheless, with the autumn climate and surroundings, the Prime of the World Freeway was a standout.

We related this drive with the Alaska Freeway in Tok. If you wish to do that as a day journey out of Dawson Metropolis, the most well-liked cease and turnaround level is Rooster, Alaska.

The place to remain round Rooster, Alaska?

It’s true wilderness for a lot of the drive, and even whenever you attain Rooster, Alaska, you’ve barely reached “civilization.” That being stated, there’s a campsite in Rooster together with quite a lot of BLM Campsites within the area.

In fact, you may at all times return to Dawson Metropolis for those who don’t have plans to finish the loop. We didn’t keep within the space and made for the Alaska Freeway as a substitute.

Day 5: Rooster to Beaver Creek through The Alaska Freeway (300 km)

It’s actually powerful to discover a boring level on this street journey as a result of the entire journey is simply so spectacular. From Rooster drive South on the Taylor Freeway earlier than turning onto the Alaska Freeway. You’ll observe a protracted stretch of the Alaska Freeway from right here all the way in which again to Whitehorse.

The historic freeway performed an important position within the formation of the Yukon and Alaska developed because it bypassed Dawson Metropolis and went through Whitehorse as a substitute; thus over time, it turned the capital.

Views from the freeway are nothing in need of spectacular. The freeway passes alongside the imposing St. Elias Mountains, the very best coastal mountain vary on earth. We stopped alongside the route exterior Beaver Creek as we had left from Dawson Metropolis, round 487 km away and two border crossings.

The place to remain close to Beaver Creek?

We stopped at an ideal little campground referred to as Discovery Yukon Lodgings. It has campsites, visitor rooms, and cabins for hire. We additionally actually appreciated a scorching bathe after a protracted day’s drive.

Day 6: Beaver Creek to Haines Junction (291 km)

The Kluane Nationwide Park and Reserve are residence to essentially the most daunting mountains and glaciers in all of Canada. The terrain is extreme, with 83% lined by glaciers or mountains.

These mountains occur to be among the tallest in North America and the world. It’s the park that lies Mount Logan, a member of the Seven Second Summits and the very best mountain in Canada.

This final part of this Yukon Highway Journey follows alongside Kluane Lake and into Haines Junction. We stopped on the Tachal Dhal Customer Data middle for some details about the encircling space earlier than taking off for a hike. Shut by, you could find the ruins of Silver Metropolis, an outdated buying and selling submit, a roadhouse, and Northwest Mounted Police barracks.

After a summer season’s value of scrambling at residence, we determined to make it up the close by Sheep Mountain. The route we tackled left from the boat launch and was steep, with a number of goat trails to observe.

As soon as on the ridge, we have been afforded beautiful views and wild dhal sheep on the cliffs above. For hiker’s adventures, the Kluane is a vacation spot in itself worthy of weeks, if not years exploring.

The place to remain & eat close to Haines Junction?

We stayed 10 minutes exterior of Haines Junction on the Mount Logan Lodge for some wonderful lodgings within the Yukon. Roxanne and David, the 2 house owners gave us a heat welcome and supply friends the perfect keep in Haines Junction.

They’ve quite a lot of distinctive rooms you may e-book on the property, similar to an outdated prospector’s cabin, a faculty bus, a yurt, and a transformed faculty bus. There are additionally conventional visitor rooms in the principle lodge is you need one thing with fashionable facilities like a non-public bathe! We have been fortunate sufficient to get the yurt for our keep, which was cozy, spacious, and tremendous comfy.

Roxannes cooks an unbelievable dinner that you just’ll share on the desk with fellow friends for an exquisite night. The subsequent morning you’ll be handled to her breakfast which is included within the room fee. We will’t suggest this lodge sufficient!

Day 7: Flightseeing Tour and Hike Round Haines Junction

If climate permits, you must take one of many mind-blowing flightseeing excursions over Kluane Park earlier than you allow the Yukon. It provides the uncommon probability to see the staggering Mount Logan up shut and private. Kluane’s glaciers unfold out, and from the air, their actions are evident.

The glacier flight takes round 75-90 minutes, and climate allowing, you may land on the glacier on the foot of Mount Logan. Whatever the touchdown, it’s an unbelievable expertise to witness these humbling mountains and glaciers from the air.

It reminds you simply how small we’re on this planet and permits you to bear witness to the brutal energy of Mom Nature. It is part of the world untouched by humankind.

The Kluane is ripe for hikes, and there’s a quantity that may be simply accessed as day hikes from the Alaska Freeway. For those who’re not tremendous assured in adventuring round bear county (Kluane has the very best bear density on this planet), you may e-book a information.

Mount Logan Lodge provides a number of guided hikes from the property and might join you with native guides within the space, like Kat and her canine Roxy who joined us for a day. Since we solely had a day adjusted our hike to a half-day and went for a hike as much as a rock glacier in a shocking valley. You possibly can have a look at trails within the space on AllTrails.

Day 8: Haines Junction to Whitehorse (154 km)

The hike is as much as you! Nevertheless, after an thrilling flight round Mount Logan, you’ll land again down in Haines Junction or Burwash Touchdown. Ease your abdomen with some recent baked items at The Village Bakery earlier than hitting the street for Whitehorse.

When you’re again in Whitehorse, the city of 25,000 individuals will really feel like a giant metropolis and a return to civilization.

Get a Automobile For a Yukon Highway Journey

We acquired to check out a brand new firm within the Yukon renting out campervans and rooftop tent vans. Overland Yukon is run by Andrew, who was completely satisfied to satisfy us and switch over the keys. They’re all just about what we’d describe as our dream journey automobiles.

Our jeep got here totally geared up with every thing you can want for tenting and a rooftop tent. Most impressively, Overland Yukon provides an inReach (satellite tv for pc GPS and communication) for emergencies. It was our first time attempting out a rooftop tent, and it was higher than anticipated.

Not solely is organising camp a breeze, however the mattress contained in the tent is tremendous comfy. On most tenting journeys, we have now just a little problem sleeping and accept lower than the standard eight hours, not the case with the rooftop tent — we slept like a child.

The car gave us the arrogance to discover in all places we needed within the Yukon. For guests, it’s actually among the best methods to discover the Yukon as lots of the locations require you to be self-sufficient with restricted guesthouses and motels. We couldn’t think about touring across the Yukon some other approach.

Tip: Earlier than driving on the Dempster Freeway with a rental, be sure to inform the rental firm. Some ban driving on the due to the roads tough nature, whereas others could cost you with an additional price. Both approach, it is advisable inform them. Don’t attempt to conceal it! The Dempster is infamous for destroying vehicles (it put 5 craters in our windshield simply from the flying rocks).

When is the Finest Time For a Yukon Highway Journey?

You could have observed this submit is full of orange, purple, and yellow colours. We deliberate our Yukon street journey for ht final week of August, and little did we all know that the surroundings would look so implausible.

If you wish to see the autumn colours in all her shade as we did, I might extremely recommend planning your Yukon journey across the identical time. The final two weeks of August and the primary week of September shall be lovely.

Whereas that is nonetheless summer season in most Canadian provinces and territories, the Yukon is gearing up for fall. Bear in mind to pack accordingly.

Different nice months to finish this Yukon street journey is June and July!

Ideas For A Yukon Highway Journey

Be Gravel Ready

There are plenty of free gravel roads within the Yukon and fast-moving vans/automobiles. This isn’t very pleasant to windshields… We discovered the exhausting approach our first day driving to Dawson Metropolis from Whitehorse when a semi-truck peppered the windshield with rocks. The injury was in depth and ruined the windshield. My greatest recommendation could be to take no matter insurance coverage you may and be conscious of approaching vans.

Costume Heat

At all times pack further layers whenever you’re in mountain circumstances. Nights within the Yukon are chilly year-round, so be ready for chilly climate, sure even in the summertime! It by no means hurts to have thermals, a hat, gloves, and a down jacket!

Count on Drives to Take Longer Than Anticipated

No matter you propose, count on it to take longer. The distances are nice, and there may be a lot to see alongside the way in which. We made frequent stops throughout our Yukon street journey. When you’ve got the choice add extra time to your journey. Our journey was simply over every week, however this route could be nice with two weeks, if not just a little extra.

Look ahead to Wildlife

You’re within the wilderness, and which means a lot of wild animals. At all times maintain a watch out for animals crossing the street and be significantly conscious of moose as an impression at velocity may be lethal because of their physique peak much like the windshield.

Gasoline

We’ve discovered this tip way back after our overland journey in Africa, however replenish any probability you get. Gasoline stations within the Yukon are unfold out far aside and this implies you have to be strategic together with your gasoline. For those who’re half full, it’s time to begin searching for a gasoline pump.

Cell Sign

Exterior of the cities, don’t count on to get any cell sign. For that matter, don’t be ready for longs nights browsing the net. The Yukon is about disconnecting and exploring the wilderness.

Don’t Neglect Your Passport

You’ll be driving between the USA and Canada on this Yukon Highway Journey, so be sure to have your passport!

E book Lodging and Excursions Forward of Time!

Summer time and fall are excessive seasons within the Yukon. Though the Yukon isn’t tremendous well-traveled, campsites and lodging choices will e-book up. Be sure that to e-book any excursions you wish to do properly forward of time too!