Untamed wilderness and gold rush legends
Untamed wilderness and gold rush legends
Watson Lake, YT Y0A 1C0Dawson City, YT Y0B 1G0
Trip overview
Embark on an epic quest along the historic Alaska and North Klondike Highways. Traverse dramatic river canyons, soak in mineral-rich hot springs, and dive deep into the rugged wilderness and wild history of the Yukon.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 — Watson Lake
Sign Post Forest
Walk among a massive collection of over 80,000 signs started by a homesick US Army GI in 1942, reflecting decades of traveler history.
Alaska Hwy, Watson Lake, YT Y0A 1C0
Watson Lake Northern Lights Centre
Experience the northern lights inside a state-of-the-art dome theater that details the science and folklore of the Aurora Borealis.
998 Alaska Hwy, Watson Lake, YT Y0A 1C0
Watson Lake Campground
Set up camp in this tranquil territorial park campground right along the shores of Watson Lake, perfect for a peaceful northern night.
Robert Campbell Hwy, Watson Lake, YT Y0A 1C0
Day 2 — Yukon
Continental Divide Scenic Lookout
A dramatic geological stop marking the point where rivers flow west to the Pacific Ocean or north to the Arctic Ocean.
Alaska Highway KM 1120, Yukon, YT
Teslin Tlingit Heritage Centre
Immerse yourself in Inland Tlingit culture through masterfully carved masks, clan crests, and beautiful traditional artwork on Teslin Lake.
Alaska Highway KM 1290, Teslin, YT Y0A 1B0
Yukon Motel & Lakeshore RV Park
A cozy, lakeside haven featuring full-service RV sites, rustic motel rooms, and an on-site wildlife gallery museum.
Alaska Highway KM 1293, Teslin, YT Y0A 1B0
Day 3 — Marsh Lake
Marsh Lake Recreation Site
Stretch your legs and take in the massive waters of Marsh Lake, a prominent local nesting ground for migrating swans.
Alaska Highway, Marsh Lake, YT Y1A 7A1
Miles Canyon
Walk across the suspension bridge suspended over emerald-green waters rushing through high, rugged basalt cliffs.
Miles Canyon Road, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 6L1
Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre
Step back to the Ice Age when giant mammoths and scimitar cats roamed the unglaciated plains of northern Canada.
KM 1423 Alaska Highway, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 7A1
Robert Service Campground
Camp in a lush wooded area right on the banks of the Yukon River, yet only minutes from downtown Whitehorse.
120 Robert Service Way, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 1B8
Day 4 — Whitehorse
S.S. Klondike National Historic Site
Explore one of the largest sternwheelers that used to ply the Yukon River, fully restored to show the grandeur of river travel.
10 Robert Service Way, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 1B8
Yukon Wildlife Preserve
Spanning over 700 acres, view iconic northern mammals including wood bison, thinhorn sheep, and muskoxen in natural habitats.
KM 8 Takhini Hot Springs Rd, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 7A1
Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs
Soak in historic, mineral-rich thermal waters heated from deep within the earth, newly revitalized for pure relaxation.
KM 10 Takhini Hot Springs Rd, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 7A1
MacBride Museum
Uncover the rich tapestry of Yukon history from Indigenous oral histories to the Gold Rush inside a modernized gallery.
1124 Front St, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 1A4
Day 5 — Haines Junction
Kathleen Lake
Marvel at the crystal-clear waters flanked by the jagged peaks of the St. Elias Mountains. Truly the jewel of Kluane.
Haines Highway, Kluane National Park, YT Y0B 1L0
Pine Lake Campground
A picturesque lakefront territorial campground featuring gravel paths, warm water swimming, and direct access to mountain vistas.
Alaska Highway KM 1572, Haines Junction, YT Y0B 1L0
Day 6 — Otter Falls
Otter Falls Lookout
The beautiful, rushing waterfall famously depicted on the old Canadian five-dollar bill.
Aishihik Road, Otter Falls, YT
Braeburn Lodge
Fuel up on their legendary, plate-sized fresh cinnamon buns which are world-famous among travelers and Yukon Quest mushers alike.
Klondike Highway KM 290, Braeburn, YT Y0B 1L0
Coal Mine Campground
Nestled comfortably right along the banks of the Yukon River, this campground offers excellent sunset views and peaceful camping.
Klondike Highway, Carmacks, YT Y0B 1C0
Day 7 — Yukon
Five Finger Rapids
Peer down at the dramatic rock columns split into four channels, once the most feared and treacherous obstacle for Klondike gold rush sternwheelers.
Klondike Highway KM 380, Yukon, YT Y0B 1C0
Tintina Trench Lookout
Gaze over an immense fault line extending all the way down into British Columbia, displaying breathtaking geological grandeur.
Klondike Highway KM 653, Yukon, YT
Sourdough Saloon
Test your courage by attempting to drink the legendary 'Sourtoe Cocktail', a famous local tradition featuring a real dehydrated human toe.
1002 Second Avenue, Dawson City, YT Y0B 1G0
Day 8 — Yukon
Tombstone Territorial Park
Behold the 'Patagonia of the North' with its dramatically dark, sharp peaks rising abruptly above the arctic tundra.
Dempster Highway KM 71, Yukon, YT Y0B 1G0
Midnight Dome
Drive up to the summit to get a glorious 360-degree panoramic view over the confluence of the Yukon and Klondike Rivers.
Midnight Dome Road, Dawson City, YT Y0B 1G0
Jack London Museum
Explore the original cabin and exhibits celebrating the famous Call of the Wild author's life during the 1897 Gold Rush.
8th Ave and Firth St, Dawson City, YT Y0B 1G0
Day 9 — Dawson City
Claim 33 Gold Panning
Learn the authentic gold-rush panning technique from locals and guaranteed to find real gold flakes in your pan.
KM 12 Bonanza Creek Rd, Dawson City, YT Y0B 1G0
Robert Service Cabin
Visit the humble, sod-roofed cabin where the famous 'Bard of the Yukon' penned his most memorable frontier poetry.
8th Ave and Hanson St, Dawson City, YT Y0B 1G0
Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall
End your legendary trip with a live, high-energy 19th-century style can-can show in Canada's oldest licensed gambling hall.
4th Ave and Queen St, Dawson City, YT Y0B 1G0
Experiences & guides
Bookable tours and stops worth a detour along this route.
National Parks
Alagnak Wild River
Wild River
Alaska Public Lands
AK
Aleutian Islands World War II National Historic Area
National Historic Area
Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve
National Monument & Preserve
Bering Land Bridge National Preserve
National Preserve
Cape Krusenstern National Monument
National Monument
Denali National Park & Preserve
National Park & Preserve
Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve
National Park & Preserve
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
National Park & Preserve
Iñupiat Heritage Center
AK
Katmai National Park & Preserve
National Park & Preserve
Kenai Fjords National Park
National Park
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Kobuk Valley National Park
National Park
Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
National Park & Preserve
Guide content may not reflect current conditions. Always verify information before your trip.
Frequently asked questions
The Klondike Frontier road trip covers about 1,029 mi and roughly 19h 18m of driving, comfortably spread across about 9 days.
This itinerary maps out 28 stops from Watson Lake, YT Y0A 1C0 to Dawson City, YT Y0B 1G0. Highlights include Miles Canyon, Kathleen Lake, and Five Finger Rapids.
It begins in Watson Lake, YT Y0A 1C0 and ends in Dawson City, YT Y0B 1G0, following a mapped, road-following route the whole way.
The estimated cost is around $992, covering fuel, lodging, food, and activities. Your actual total varies with the season, your pace, and the choices you make along the way.
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