Canada’s Most Epic Road Trip; Driving the Yukon’s Dempster Highway
Tombstone Territorial Park, Dempster Highway, Yukon Territory
Travelling up the Dempster highway in Canada's Yukon Territory is bucket list experience for adventure seekers from around the world. There’s no other place in the country that provides a glimpse into the vastness of the land, and highlights the rugged beauty of Canada's North.
Planning a trip up the Dempster Highway can be an exciting, yet complex task. This remote highway runs from the small town of Glenboyle, Yukon, past the Arctic Circle, and ends on the shores of the Beaufort Sea in Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories. It’s the only all-season highway in Canada which crosses the 66th parallel north, and is a thrilling road trip for adventure seekers. After completing an amazing drive up to the Arctic Circle, we've compiled a list of handy tips and tricks for both planning your Dempster Highway road trip, and how to fully enjoy the journey.
Maximize Your Flexibility: Rent an RV
Ogilvie River, Dempster Highway, Yukon Territory
Renting an RV or trailer is the best way to fully experience the Yukon’s Dempster Highway. An RV allows you to stop whenever and wherever you want, and provides you with a secure place to sleep each night, regardless of weather conditions.
Government campgrounds are located along the Dempster Highway with self check-in and free firewood. At only $20/night they are both an affordable overnight option, as well as one of the most convenient. Territorial campgrounds in the Yukon are rarely full, however if you plan on stopping at Tombstone Territorial Park along the Dempster Highway, we suggest arriving earlier in the afternoon to secure your preferred site.
The Dempster Highway is an unpaved road, and flat tires are common along the way. While traditional campers will do the trick, renting a truck camper will give you the versatility of a traditional RV, while having the power, toughness, and tires of a truck. With solar and propane power available, you’ll be able to stop at pull-offs beside rivers to cook breakfast, take hot showers whenever needed, and fully enjoy the wilderness with the comforts of a hotel only a few feet away. We had no issues with flat tires, so the decision was a good one.
Be sure to stop at one of the gas stations in Dawson City to clean off your RV after your trip up the Dempster. Your RV will no doubt be very dirty and most rental companies charge a separate cleaning fee if you return your vehicle extra muddy. There are numerous RV cleaning stations along the road leading into Dawson City, and they are both cheap and easy to use.
Stock up on Food, Gas and Supplies
A trip up the Dempster Highway requires some careful planning. There are only two stops along the way with gas and modern amenities (Eagle Plains and Inuvik, NWT), so it's imperative to stock up before you begin your journey.
Dawson City is the closest city to the beginning of the Dempster and a great spot to load up on supplies. It's a city with a rich gold mining history and is the perfect place to get that authentic Klondike feel. It also has some great shops and restaurants including the famous Sourdough Saloon in the Downtown Hotel, where you can try the famous "sour toe cocktail" (whiskey and a real human preserved toe!). The Trading Post on Front St. is a good place to stop for outdoors supplies like fishing equipment and licenses, multi tools and outdoor gear. It also has a hidden selection of unique local art and carvings for sale.
Plan your trip to Dawson City to coincide with a local festival like the Dawson City Music Festival, Riverside Arts Festival or Dawson City Mud Bog and enjoy one of the region’s cultural events.
Plan Ahead: Maps, Drive Planning, Forest Fires
Before heading up North on an adventure up the Dempster Highway, your first stop needs to be the Visitor's Centre Whitehorse. Not only does the Visitor's Centre have great information about the history of the region, but it also has as handy paper maps (cell reception is non-existent along most of the highway and GPS can be spotty). It also provides the most up to date driving conditions up the Dempster Highway which is essential to ensuring a safe trip.
Forest Fires are common during the summer months, and determining were any active fires are near the highway is extremely important. Forest fires can also pass over sections of highway, and as you drive you may notice evidence that a fire has crossed directly over the road. Occasionally unprepared drivers have been pinned between two areas of forest fires, something you do not want to experience. Having a few days buffer at the beginning and at the end of your trip is also a good idea in case there are unforeseen natural obstacles like this during your drive.
As you near the section of the Dempster Highway near Eagle Plains, the road turns from dirt and gravel to sharp shale and rock. This is no doubt the area where many tires meet their demise. The sides of the roads are occasionally a straight drop-off down steep cliffs, so driving carefully and slowly is a must. You can often drive hours without seeing other vehicles, so being extra vigilant is the best strategy. For those who want an extra safety net, renting a satellite phone is also a good option.
Planning your drive to arrive at least an hour before darkness is very important. While Yukon summers can often provide much welcomed extra drive time (with up to 24hr of daylight), the Dempster Highway is a very challenging highway and not one you want to navigate in the dark. Arriving before sunset is key to avoid driving this tricky road at night.
Breathtaking Landscapes, Wildlife and Fishing
Dempster Highway, Yukon Territory
One of the thrills of driving the Dempster Highway is witnessing the vast beauty of Canada's North. From driving through majestic mountain passes, to the stunning Arctic tundra north of Eagle Plains, the rugged wilderness of the Yukon is like no other.
Wildlife viewing is also plentiful along the Dempster Highway, however you'll need a good eye, as the sheer scale of the land makes it hard to spot animals. Bringing binoculars to spot wildlife will help your odds, especially when on high mountain ridges looking down into valleys below. Keep your eyes peeled for moose, mountain goats, black bears, grizzlies, caribou, wolves and various species of bird.
It's also important to be very aware and cautious of grizzly bears, both on the highway, and along trails in the region. The magnificent and powerful animals are well camouflaged and often silent. Avoiding being anywhere near a grizzly should be your priority and always top of mind, as some can be very aggressive. If you’re biking up the Dempster Highway be sure to check for bear warnings at the Visitor’s Centre in Whitehorse before you hit the road.
The Yukon is a mecca for anglers and the crystal clear streams and the rivers and small lakes along the Dempster Highway make perfect spots for early morning fishing, or a quick afternoon cast. Be sure to purchase a fishing license online before your visit, or pick one up in Dawson City.
For more information on visiting the Yukon and the Dempster Highway, visit www.travelyukon.com.
