The Perfect Yukon Territory Road Trip for Adventurers
Last Updated on March 7, 2024
Adventurous road trippers, look no further than a Yukon road trip in remote Northwest Canada for a journey through stunning landscapes waiting to be explored by the few visitors who are creative about finding uncrowded places to explore.
The Yukon has been one of my favorite places in the world since I first feel in love with it 25 years ago while living in Skagway. I’ve been fortunate to spend plenty of time there since and drive all of these highways and I can’t wait to share it with you so you can plan your own unforgettable Yukon road trip!
About 25% of the population of the Yukon is Indigenous. First Nations people are very involved in governing the modern Yukon Territory and the Yukon is among the longest inhabited regions of North America. First Nations people in the Yukon include the Kwanlin Dün, Kluane, Tagish, Little Salmon Carmacks, Liard, Ross River Dena, Selkirk, Teslin Tlingit, White River, Champagne and Aishihik, Na-Cho Nyak Dun, Selkirk, Gwich’in and Ta’an Kwäch’än.
- Is visiting the Yukon worth it?
- How many days do you need to see the Yukon?
- When is the best time of year for a Yukon Road Trip?
- How to get to the Yukon Territory
- Road Tripping to the Yukon from Vancouver, Calgary or Edmonton
- Adding the Yukon to your Alaska road trip
- What is the best vehicle for a Yukon road trip
- 7 Day Yukon Road trip Itinerary
- 10 Day Yukon Road trip Itinerary
- Two Week Yukon Road trip Itinerary
Is visiting the Yukon Territory worth it?
The Yukon is absolutely incredible and for anyone who loves to experience stunning landscapes you must do whatever it takes to put a Yukon road trip right at the top of your travel must do list.
How many days do you need to see the Yukon?
I recommend spending at least a week in the Yukon. If you have less time than that, I’d recommend going to Whitehorse and making that your base camp and doing day trips from there, or tours if you don’t want to rent a car.
If you have more time, even better! 10 days or two weeks will give you the chance to get deeper into the Yukon, more details on this below.
My two week Yukon Road trip itinerary in this article is an absolute dream. If you can spend that much time, do it!
When is the best time of year to visit the Yukon?
For a road trip, you want to visit in the summer months (June through September). I think September is absolutely ideal for a Yukon road trip because the fall colors are absolutely stunning, the bugs are usually gone and there’s a chance to see the Northern Lights!
Winter is magical in the Yukon, but it’s not as ideal for a road trip since you’ll be dealing with severe winter weather and much slower driving. But it’s a great time to visit Whitehorse or Dawson City for some winter fun and adventure.
How to get to the Yukon Territory
Most visitors to the Yukon fly into Whitehorse. There are mulitple direct flights daily to Whitehorse from Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton.
Road Tripping to the Yukon from Vancouver, Calgary or Edmonton
If you’re interested in driving to the Yukon from Vancouver, Calgary, or Edmonton, the most important thing to know is that it’s a very long drive. Whitehorse is 2000 km from Edmonton (1240 miles), 2250 km from Calgary (1400 miles) and 2400 km from Vancouver (1500 miles).
Plan on a solid 3-4 day trip in each direction to drive to Whitehorse from any of these cities.
Adding the Yukon to your Alaska Road Trip
If you’re already planning to drive to Alaska, then you’ll already be in the Yukon for a couple days so you can add any of the itineraries below onto your Alaska trip. In two or three days you can go up to Dawson City, and you can even go from Dawson City over Top of the World Highway to Alaska if you have an extra day or two in one direction.
If you’re flying to Alaska but taking a road trip once you get there, you can add on some time in the Yukon too! With five extra days you could:
- Day 1: Fairbanks or Anchorage to Dawson City over Top of the World Highway (make sure you have a rental vehicle that allows you to do this, many do not) – long but beautiful day
- Day 2: See Dawson City
- Day 3: Drive from Dawson City to Whitehorse
- Day 4: See Whitehorse
- Day 5: Drive Whitehorse to Tok (spend two days to spend some time in Kluane National Park
What is the best vehicle to drive for a Yukon road trip?
Public highways in the Yukon can be driven in any vehicle in the summer months. Unless you are driving over Top of the World Highway or on the Dempster Highway (see below) any rental car will be fine.
Top of the World and the Dempster are gravel and not all car rental companies will allow you to drive on them, so find out in advance if those highways are in your plans.
I think a rented recreational vehicle is ideal for a Yukon road trip, if you’re comfortable with camping. In an RV (motorhome, pick up camper or camper van), you can have plenty of creature comforts while still being able to stay in the most beautiful places in the Yukon.
Hotels and lodges are few and far between outside of Whitehorse and Dawson City. Make sure to reserve everything ahead of time if you’re not planning on camping, and expect rustic accommodations.
Whatever vehicle you drive, make sure the tires are in excellent condition and you have a full size spare and all the equipment to change it. If you get a flat, you’ll need to drive many hours to get it repaired and there are lots of stretches on the highways without cell service.
7 Day Yukon Road Trip Itinerary
If you just have seven days to spend in the Yukon, this is the road trip itinerary I’d recommend. If you want to avoid the gravel road over Top of the World Highway, you could do a loop down to Skagway and Haines instead of up to Dawson City, or you could backtrack on paved roads to Whitehorse and up to Dawson.
Day 1: Whitehorse
Get your rental vehicle and stock up on supplies. Grocery stores are very limited outside of Whitehorse and restaurants are limited outside Whitehorse and Dawson City. Make sure to pick up groceries and snacks and drinks for the road here before heading out. Spend the rest of the day exploring Whitehorse.
Day 2: Whitehorse to Kluane National Park
If you’re camping, head to Lake Kathleen or Congdon Creek for some of the best camping in the Kluane area. If you’re staying in motels, look for something in Haines Junction or stay at the Talbot Arms in Destruction Bay.
You might even have time to go for a hike in Kluane before settling in for the night.
Day 3: Kluane National Park to Tok, Alaska
It’s about a 5 hour drive from Kluane to Tok, depending on where you end up staying (Lake Kathleen is farther). A few highlights along the way include:
- Soldier Summit -great view hike to the spot the Alaska Highway was completed.
- Burwash Landing museum
- Kluane RIver lookout
- International border rest area with Yukon and Alaska signs
- Tetlin Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
- Fast Eddy’s Restaurant in Tok – an Alaska Highway institution
Stay the night at the cabins by Fast Eddy’s, or in the RV park, or stop before or after Tok for a more off grid camping experience
Day 4: Tok, Alaska to Dawson City
The Taylor Highway in Alaska and the Top of the World Highway in the Yukon are absolutely gorgeous but slow. Plan on at least 6 hours to make the drive, longer in wet weather. Check the border crossing hours and give yourself plenty of time.
You’ll enjoy amazing views along the way of the mountains of Interior Alaska and the Yukon as well as the small and quirky community of Chicken.
The remote border crossing brings you back into the Yukon with more views as you descend to the Yukon River and Dawson City.
Take the unique George Black Ferry to delightful downtown Dawson City. Dawson City has plenty of hotels. I like the Gold Rush RV park for camping because you can walk to everything in town. If you prefer to be further outside of town there are other RV parks and campground nearby.
Day 5: Dawson City
Dawson City is a wonderful town to explore! Check out my article about all the things you can do in Dawson to make for the perfect day.
Day 6: Dawson City to Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs
You’ll want to spend an evening relaxing at Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs, about a 6 hour drive from the Dawson. You’re on vacation after all! There’s a great campground there, and it’s not far from Whitehorse if you want to go there for the night.
Along the way, make sure to stop at Five Finger Rapids, an interesting feature of the Yukon River with a beautiful hiking trail down to the river.
Another mandatory stop is Braeburn Lodge, known for their enormous and delicious cinnamon rolls.
Day 7: Whitehorse
It will only take about 20 minutes to get to Whitehorse from the hot springs campground. Spend the day enjoying the many things to do in Whitehorse and return your rental vehicle.
10 Day Yukon Road Trip Itinerary
Have ten days or more to explore the Yukon? You’ll love it. One option to spend the extra days in Whitehorse or Dawson City. Both towns have great food, lots to do in town and plenty of trails and outdoor adventure while staying put.
You can also add to the 7 day itinerary a three day loop down to Skagway and Haines in Alaska, or continue on the Alaska Highway past Kluane National Park to Tok, Alaska and up to Dawson City on Top of the World Highway. You’ll need a few more days to add both of these (details below).
A big benefit of 10 days is that you can do your Yukon Road Trip with less back tracking.
Two Week Yukon Road Trip Itinerary
If you have two weeks to explore the Yukon, lucky you! You can really see most of the highways in the Yukon Territory and even dip into Alaska a couple of times. Going down to Skagway and Haines takes you to the coast and going up to Tok takes you into Interior Alaska. Interior Alaska is very similar in landscape, culture and weather to the Yukon Territory.
For this itinerary, you’ll need a rental vehicle that you can take on gravel roads as well as into the United States. I recommend an RV for this drive, but you can do it without one and stay in motels along the way.
You will also need to plan your trip around the ferry schedule between Skagway and Haines and the border crossing hours and dates on Top of the World Highway.
Day 1: Whitehorse
Get your rental vehicle and stock up on supplies. Grocery stores are very limited outside of Whitehorse and restaurants are limited outside Whitehorse and Dawson City. Make sure to pick up groceries and snacks and drinks for the road here before heading out. Research the latest on what you can and cannot take across the border. Spend the rest of the day exploring Whitehorse.
Day 2: Whitehorse to Skagway
It’s only a couple of hours to drive to Skagway, but there are so many interesting stops along the way you’ll want to take your time. You’ll also want plenty of time to explore Skagway and be there the day before your ferry.
Highlights include:
- Miles Canyon near Whitehorse
- The small community of Carcross
- The Carcross Desert
- Emerald Lake
- White Pass
- Exploring Skagway
Day 3: Skagway to Haines
The ferry ride between Skagway and Haines is only an hour, but it takes some time to line up and get on and off. It is imperative to have a reservation for the ferry as far ahead as possible if you are bringing a vehicle.
Spend the rest of the day exploring Haines and Skagway.
Day 4: Haines to Kluane National Park
The drive up to Haines Junction from Haines is gorgeous. Make sure to stop along the Chilkat River to look for Bald Eagles and give yourself plenty of time for the many picture stops along the way.
If you’re camping, head to Lake Kathleen or Congdon Creek for some of the best camping in the Kluane area. If you’re staying in motels, look for something in Haines Junction or stay at the Talbot Arms in Destruction Bay.
You might even have time to go for a hike in Kluane before settling in for the night.
Day 5: Kluane National Park to Tok, Alaska
It’s about a 5 hour drive from Kluane to Tok, depending on where you end up staying (Lake Kathleen is farther). A few highlights along the way include:
- Soldier Summit -great view hike to the spot the Alaska Highway was completed.
- Burwash Landing museum
- Kluane RIver lookout
- International border rest area with Yukon and Alaska signs
- Tetlin Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
- Fast Eddy’s Restaurant in Tok – an Alaska Highway institution
Stay the night at the cabins by Fast Eddy’s, or in the RV park, or stop before or after Tok for a more off grid camping experience
Day 6: Tok, Alaska to Dawson City
The Taylor Highway in Alaska and the Top of the World Highway in the Yukon are absolutely gorgeous but slow. Plan on at least 6 hours to make the drive, longer in wet weather. Check the border crossing hours and give yourself plenty of time.
You’ll enjoy amazing views along the way of the mountains of Interior Alaska and the Yukon as well as the small and quirky community of Chicken.
The remote border crossing brings you back into the Yukon with more views as you descend to the Yukon River and Dawson City.
Take the unique George Black Ferry to delightful downtown Dawson City. Dawson City has plenty of hotels. I like the Gold Rush RV park for camping because you can walk to everything in town. If you prefer to be further outside of town there are other RV parks and campground nearby.
Day 7: Exploring Dawson City
Dawson City is such a fun town to explore! Check out my article about all the things you can do in Dawson to make for the perfect day.
Days 8-12: Driving the Dempster Highway to the Arctic Circle, the Northwest Territories and the Arctic Ocean.
If you’re up for a remote and big adventure, the Dempster Highway and the Road to Tuktoyaktuk are the trip of a lifetime!
I recommend spending five days for this part of the drive, and if you have an RV you can split it up how you like. If you are staying in hotels, you’ll need to stay two nights in Eagle Plains (once in each direction) and two nights in Inuvik (giving yourself a day to get up to Tuk and back).
I’ve written in detail a day by day and step by step itinerary and guide to preparing for that part of your journey here.
Plan to either camp at Tombstone Territorial Park or stay in a hotel in Dawson on the evening of Day 12.
Day 13: Dawson or Tombstone to Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs
After all this driving, you’ll want to spend an evening relaxing at Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs, about a 6 hour drive from the Dempster Highway junction. There’s a great campground there, and it’s not far from Whitehorse if you want to go there for the night.
Along the way, make sure to stop at Five Finger Rapids, an interesting feature of the Yukon River with a beautiful hiking trail down to the river.
Another mandatory stop is Braeburn Lodge, known for their enormous and delicious cinnamon rolls.
Day 14: Whitehorse
It will only take about 20 minutes to get to Whitehorse from the hot springs campground. Spend the day enjoying the many things to do in Whitehorse along with washing your vehicle which will really need it at this point!
Final Thoughts
A Yukon road trip is an ideal way to see the Yukon Territory and an absolutely must do for those who love epic landscapes, wide open places and welcoming, quirky fun small towns. It’s worth the effort to get to this off the beaten track location!
