North Klondike Highway: Your Yukon Road Trip Guide

The North Klondike Highway connects Whitehorse to Dawson City, and is the northern half of the highway that runs between Skagway with Dawson City.

Road Log

Km 195.5 Takhini River Bridge
Km 197.5 The Gunnar Nilsson and Mickey Lammers Research Forest is marvelous place to wander or bike along the trails, there is a play park, and bike track for the younger members of the family.

Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs (formerly Takhini Hot Springs) is 28km/18miles from Whitehorse and 10kms/6 miles off the North Klondike Highway. You’ll also find another major attraction on the Hot Springs road, the Yukon Wildlife Preserve which is spread over about 700 acres and is home to more than 12 Yukon species.

Km 224.6 Lake Laberge outside of Whitehorse 16 sites 12 pull through. There is a boat launch and is good for fishing Pike, Grayling and Lake Trout on the 48.2 km/30-mile lake. Be aware that when the wind picks up the Lake can become rough very quickly.

Km 247.7 Fox Lake Campground 43 sites 9 of them Pull through Boat Launch, fire pits $8 fee The Southern Tutchone name is Kwatan aya. Good fishing for Trout, Burbot and Grayling. A favourite of Whitehorse residents

Km 272 Fox Lake Burn Rest Area

Km 280.8 Braeburn Lodge 109.8km/68 miles Was famous for the huge Cinnamon buns it sold and was a necessary stop for all travellers. It was once a roadhouse on the overland trail and is used as a checkpoint on the Yukon Quest sled dog race in February. Braeburn Lodge closed indefinitely in May 2026.

Km 298 Conglomerate Mountain Rest Area Outhouses, interpretive signs, and garbage bins. You can view the mountain from here, it was formed 185 million years ago by volcanic mud flows

Km 308 Twin Lakes 31 sites 9 pull through Boat Launch Excellent fishing for Pike, Grayling and Lake Trout as well as to Canoe/Kayak. The Southern Tutchone name for the lake is Deghal Shaw

Km 322.4 Montague Roadhouse This roadhouse is the third reincarnation of its name but is rich in history for this part of the Yukon. It served as a resting point for many weary travellers and was part of a chain of roadhouses that were spaced 30-40km apart and formed the overland trail from Whitehorse to Dawson. The White Pass and Yukon Railway had the contract for the mail and took over the roadhouses which boasted corrals, barns, and stables. A traveller would have to pay $125 for the 5–7-day journey on the stage.

Km 356.8 Carmacks Named after George Carmacks who found coal nearby and was a pioneer of the Klondike Gold Rush The settlement of Carmacks was at first a steamboat stop then grew when the Overland trail went through the village.

Carmacks is the start of many fantastic walks or hikes ranging from half an hour up to 2 hours. You can take in the picturesque vista that the river and countryside give. If it is a hot day and you need a break from driving perhaps the Coal Lake Hike is for you. It’s a 4km walk in total but you have the chance to swim/picnic at the lake. The settlement of Carmacks grew when the Overland trail went through the village.

Km 358.4 Coal Mine Campground Private campground featuring tent sites right along the Yukon River, RV sites and cabins also located right along the riverside. It also offers take-out restaurant with delicious burgers, homemade desserts, fresh coffee and drinks. The campground also offers a dump-station and shower.

Km 359.1 Campbell Highway Junction, which connects Watson Lake and Carmacks and goes through the villages of Faro and Ross River.

Just after the junction is the Historic Tantalus Butte Coal Mine although now closed it is said that you can still see smoke rise from the seam.

Km 380 Five Finger Rapids 23kms outside of Carmacks is the wonderful Five Finger Rapids, mentioned in Jack London’s novel Call of the Wild, this place is steeped in Yukon History and is also a great photo opportunity. Once you arrive there are several options that are open to you depending on the time of year and your luck. You can feed the Grey Jays right out of your palm as they are very friendly creatures. The long stairway lead down to a 2 km walk from the rest stop down towards the river ending on the cliffs overlooking the rapids, be aware that it is an energetic hike back up to the road.

Km 382 Tatchun Creek Campground 12 sites 4 pull through, no fishing here from the 1st of August to the 30th of September to protect the Chinook Salmon run.

Km 431 Minto Landing offers access to the Klondike highway, there is the Minto Resort, with many tenting spots.

465Km Pelly Crossing Small First Nations community, it has a gas station, dump station, grocery store and an RCMP detachment. The Selkirk Heritage Centre is near the grocery store and a worthwhile stop to learn more about the Selkirk First Nation and their traditional ways .

519.7 Km Crooked Creek Rest Area, with Grayling and Pike fishing

535 Km Stewart Crossing, as you descend the hill to the Crossing there is a sign persuading you to visit the old mining town of Mayo, which it claims has the hottest and coldest temperature annually in the Yukon. At the south end of the bridge there is an information centre and rest area.

555.5 Km Stewart River

Km 559 Moose Creek Campground 36 sites and 4 pull throughs. Picnic shelter, hiking trails, with good Grayling fishing. Make noise and bring bear spray when hiking as wildlife uses this area.

KM 625.5 Gravel Lake

KM 655.1 Tintina Trench Rest Area Interpretive signs show how glaciation has changed the flow of major rivers in the trench. Some very nice views as well.

Km 671.5 Klondike River

Km 674.7 Dempster Highway Junction

Km 688.6 Dawson City entrance

Km 696.7 Klondike River Campground 35 sites and 2 pull throughs. Has an interesting 1.7km interpretive trail and boardwalk through an old growth forest.

KM 697.5 Dawson City Airport

Km 712.4 Bridge over the Klondike River. The bridge represents entering Dawson City.

Km 713 Crocus Bluff Trail

Km 714 Dawson City

Dump Stations

Takini Hotsprings
Carmacks Hotel and RV Park km 355 Cost
Sunrise Service Centre km 355
Coal Mine Campground km 357

 

Campgrounds a short distance from the North Klondike Highway

Yukon River Campground Top of the World highway 102 sites and 20 pull throughs, just across the river using the free George Black ferry. It’s the largest campground in the Yukon, very popular during the Dawson Music Festival

Frenchman Lake Campground Robert Campbell Highway 10 sites 2 pull throughs Small intimate campground good for swimming and boating

Nunatak Campground Robert Campbell Highway 15 sites 4 pull throughs A mix of sites in the forest and by the lake.

9Km off North Klondike Highway Tatchen Lake Campground 20 sites no pull through.  Still used today by the Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation as a camp to fish for Whitefish, trap Beaver and hunt for Caribou and Moose.

524Km Ethel Lake 24km off the North Klondike Highway 10 sites no pull throughs, it’s a long windy gravel road into the campground. Very quiet and scenic. The road isn’t great but if you travel slowly you can make it with a large RV as well, but easier to travel with a truck camper. There is a boat launch and fishing there.

Drury Lake Robert Campbell Highway 10 sites and 5 pull throughs, has a wonderful view of Little Salmon Lake

Little Salmon Lake Robert Campbell Highway 22 sites 7 pull throughs. Be mindful about fishing restrictions to protect the Trout population. Be careful if it gets windy.

Other Fishing

Wrong Lake is 28 kms south of Stewart Crossing and 41kms north of Pelly Crossing and is stocked with rainbow Trout for any interested anglers.

Yukon River Quest

The world’s longest annual canoe and kayak race 714km/444miles. Normally late June-early July. The race starts in downtown Whitehorse and follows the river all the way through to Dawson. There are many places along the North Klondike Highway that you can watch the paddlers go through. It is truly a phenomenal experience to see these ultra-athletes pit themselves against mother nature.

Camping Permits

Yukon camping permits go on sale on the 1st of April, which you can use at the 42 road-accessible campgrounds in the territory. Or you can buy a permit at the entrance of the campsite. Camping season opens on the 1st May

North Klondike Highway: key facts

Length About 524 km (326 mi), Alaska Highway junction near Whitehorse to Dawson City
Start Junction with the Alaska Highway at Alaska Highway km 1438, just northwest of Whitehorse
Kilometre posts Count from Skagway: the junction is at km 192 and Dawson City at about km 716
Highway number Yukon Highway 2
Surface & season Paved and open year-round, with some damaged pavement and occasional gravel breaks
Fuel Carmacks · Pelly Crossing · Stewart Crossing · Dempster Corner (cardlock) · Dawson City. Braeburn Lodge closed indefinitely in May 2026.
Connecting roads Robert Campbell Highway (km 360) · Silver Trail (km 534) · Dempster Highway (km 674) · Top of the World Highway (by ferry at Dawson)
Road conditions 511 Yukon (official, live)
North Klondike Highway communities by kilometre (northbound)
Place Approx. km Distance from previous
Alaska Highway junction (near Whitehorse) 192 —
Carmacks 356 ≈ 164 km
Robert Campbell Highway junction 360 ≈ 4 km
Pelly Crossing 463 ≈ 103 km
Stewart Crossing (Silver Trail junction) 534 ≈ 71 km
Dempster Corner (Dempster Highway junction) 674 ≈ 140 km
Dawson City 716 ≈ 42 km

Kilometres follow Government of Yukon kilometre posts and are approximate. Always check 511 Yukon before you travel. Last updated: October 2026.

North Klondike Highway FAQ

How long is the North Klondike Highway?

About 524 km (326 miles), from its junction with the Alaska Highway just northwest of Whitehorse to Dawson City. Kilometre posts count from Skagway, so the junction is at km 192 and Dawson City is at about km 716.

Where can I get gas between Whitehorse and Dawson City?

Carmacks (about km 356), Pelly Crossing (about km 463) and Stewart Crossing (about km 534) all have fuel, and there is a cardlock station at Dempster Corner (km 674). Braeburn Lodge, a long-time stop known for its giant cinnamon buns, closed indefinitely in May 2026.

Is the North Klondike Highway paved and open in winter?

Yes. The highway is paved and open all year, but expect some damaged pavement, frost heaves and occasional gravel breaks. Drive with your headlights on and watch for wildlife.

What are the main stops on the North Klondike Highway?

Popular stops include the Lake Laberge, Fox Lake and Twin Lakes campgrounds, the Carmacks riverfront boardwalk, Five Finger Rapids, Big Jonathan House in Pelly Crossing, Stewart Crossing at the start of the Silver Trail, and the Klondike River campground just before Dawson City.

Can you see Five Finger Rapids from the highway?

Yes. The Five Finger Rapids Recreation Site, about 24 km north of Carmacks, has a viewing platform beside the highway, and a long staircase and trail lead down toward the river. Early miners named the rapids for the five channels formed by its rock pillars.

Which highways connect to the North Klondike Highway?

The Robert Campbell Highway branches east just north of Carmacks (km 360), the Silver Trail leads to Mayo and Keno City from Stewart Crossing (km 534), and the Dempster Highway starts at Dempster Corner (km 674). In Dawson City, the free George Black ferry crosses the Yukon River to the Top of the World Highway.

When are Yukon government campgrounds open?

Most Yukon government campgrounds open in May. Camping fees apply from May 1 to September 30. You need a campsite permit all year, but camping from October to April is free.

How do I check North Klondike Highway road conditions?

Use 511 Yukon (511yukon.ca), the Government of Yukon’s official source for road conditions, closures, construction and weather. You can sign up there for email or text alerts.

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