The road parallels both the route used by 1898 gold-seekers to get to the Klondike and the old White Pass & Yukon Route railway route. You’ll see remnants of old mining structures on mountainsides left behind by mining exploits of decades past. The White Pass mountain summit area coming from Skagway to the Canada – U.S. border more closely resembles a moonscape than any earthly landscape, with twisted trees, small lakes, and barren foliage that create truly unique scenery. The South Klondike Highway takes you through the Southern Lakes region of the Yukon, where you can access the communities of Carcross and Tagish.
BC / Yukon border
km 80 (mi 50)
There is a pullout at the BC / Yukon border, on the east side of the highway. Search the slopes of Montana Mountain to the northwest and Mount Racine to the southwest for signs of Mountain Goats and Dall Sheep that frequent these areas.
Bennett and Nares Lakes
km 106 (mi 66)
Nares Lake is on the east side of the Klondike Highway and Bennett Lake is on the west side. Being one of the few areas of open water in the winter, it attracts many species.
Carcross Desert viewpoint
km 108 (mi 67)
Affectionately known as the world’s smallest desert, the Carcross Desert is just south of Carcross. The wind blows sand dunes from Bennett Lake, forming sand dunes and making them advance across the landscape, sometimes burying trees along the way.
Emerald Lake
km 118 (mi 74)
This pullout provides an excellent view of Emerald Lake’s famous turquoise waters. Interpretive panels describe the effect of climate on wildlife and explain the lake’s mysterious colour, a result of light reflecting off layers of marl, or CaCO3 (powdered limestone)
Kookatsoon Lake Recreation Site
km 154 (mi 96)
A pleasant family swimming spot in summer, equipped with a playground and picnic sites. The shallow waters freeze to the bottom in winter, so this lake cannot support fish.
| Length | About 158 km (98 mi), Skagway, Alaska to the Alaska Highway near Whitehorse |
|---|---|
| North end | Alaska Highway km 1404 (Carcross Cutoff), about 19 km (12 mi) south of downtown Whitehorse |
| Highway numbers | Alaska Route 98 · B.C. Highway 2 · Yukon Highway 2 |
| Surface & season | Paved and open year-round. 11% grade for about 18.5 km between Skagway and White Pass summit (1,003 m / 3,292 ft). |
| Border crossings | U.S. Customs at Skagway (about km 11) · Canada Border Services at Fraser, B.C. (about km 36). Not open 24 hours; hours change seasonally. |
| Communities & fuel | Skagway · Carcross (food, gas, camping, at km 106) · Whitehorse |
| Road conditions | 511 Yukon (Yukon and B.C. sections) · Alaska 511 (Alaska section) · recorded report 867-456-7623 |
| Stop | Approx. km |
|---|---|
| U.S. Customs (Skagway port of entry) | 11 |
| White Pass summit | 23 |
| Canada Border Services, Fraser | 36 |
| Bove Island viewpoint | 95 |
| Carcross | 106 |
| Carcross Desert | 108 |
| Emerald Lake viewpoint | 118 |
| Alaska Highway junction (Carcross Cutoff) | 156–158 |
Kilometres count from Skagway and are approximate (Government of Yukon kilometre posts and The MILEPOST). Always check 511 Yukon before you travel. Last updated: October 2026.
About 158 km (98 miles), from Skagway, Alaska, to the Alaska Highway about 19 km south of downtown Whitehorse. Travel Yukon puts the drive from Whitehorse to Skagway at about 176 km and 2.5 hours.
Southbound, you clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection about 11 km (6.8 miles) before Skagway. Northbound, you stop at the Canada Border Services Agency post at Fraser, B.C., about 36 km from Skagway. Neither port is open 24 hours, and hours change with the seasons, so check before you go.
Yes. It is paved and open all year, but the climb between Skagway and White Pass is steep, with an 11 per cent grade over about 18.5 km. Check 511 Yukon or Alaska 511 before you drive it in winter.
Highlights include White Pass summit, Tutshi Lake and the Yukon Suspension Bridge, Bove Island viewpoint, the historic village of Carcross on Bennett Lake, the Carcross Desert and the turquoise waters of Emerald Lake.
About 73 km (45 miles), or roughly an hour’s drive. Carcross is at about kilometre 106 of the South Klondike Highway, measured from Skagway.
It is often called the world’s smallest desert. Its sand dunes, covering about 2.6 km² (one square mile), were once the bottom of a glacial lake. You can see them beside the highway just north of Carcross.
Use 511 Yukon (511yukon.ca) for the Yukon and B.C. sections, or call the recorded road report at 867-456-7623. For the Alaska section near Skagway, use Alaska 511 (511.alaska.gov).
Carcross
More Info
Carcross
More Info
Alaska
More Info
Carcross
More Info
Whitehorse
More Info