Last updated on June 1st, 2023 at 03:16 pm
We were lucky enough to spend two weeks in the Yukon this summer but it would be easy to spend so much longer. I put together our two week Yukon road trip itinerary, it gives just a taste of what the Yukon has to offer, I wish we had a month there but the real world was calling, so instead, we will have to go back with our now huge list of things we want to do!
Our two week Yukon road trip itinerary includes all the key hot spots, along with details on where to camp and what to do in each place. The Yukon is filled with amazing campgrounds and if you are on a budget I can’t recommend camping on your road trip, the provincial campgrounds are in all the key spots you’ll want to check out and there are also some incredible private campgrounds where you can grab a much needed shower and do laundry.
Getting To The Yukon
For our Yukon road trip, we drove the Alaska Highway through British Columbia to the Yukon, if you have the means and the time, this is a gorgeous drive, however, it is a long drive and if you are short on time, can eat into your trip. However with stunning spots like Muncho Lake and of course a dip in the Liard Hot Springs, it is absolutely worth driving up if you have the time.
You can also fly to the Yukon, with Whitehorse having the largest airport, most large Canadian airports have flights to the Yukon and from here you can rent a car for a Yukon road trip. However check the terms of your rental, if you are planning on driving the Dempster Highway as part of the trip, some rental companies do not allow their rental cars to be driven on this rough road!
When To Plan A Yukon Road Trip
The Yukon is beautiful at any time of the year, however to see the most I’d recommend planning your Yukon road trip for the summer months. Mid June to Mid September are optimal, with long days of sunlight and snow free roads and trails. This is the perfect time to be able to explore everything the Yukon has to offer.
Winter has its own benefits, being much quieter, however travel can be harder and the temperatures can be extremely cold. There is also not much daylight during the winter months. However for those hunting to see the Aurora Borealis, the winter months, may be the perfect time to visit the Yukon.
Two Week Yukon Road Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Watson Lake to Kluane National Park
If you are driving the Alaska Highway, the town of Watson Lake will be the first major civilisation you may have seen in a while and the start of your Yukon road trip. There is a grocery store here, so stock up on snacks and goodies for the rest of the trip. Along with this Watson Lake is probably most well known for its signpost forest.
This is a pretty crazy spot and a must stop at if you are passing through. I couldn’t believe just how extensive the signpost forest was. You can really lose time looking around and checking out all the signs. If you have the time, there is a provincial campground here on the lake which could make a great overnight spot.
Otherwise it’s onwards along the Alaska Highway towards Whitehorse. We headed didn’t stop at Whitehorse on our way through because we needed to be in Kluane National Park early the following day. However even if you are just driving through, this is the best spot to grab a lot of groceries with plenty of large stores and a Canadian Tire for anything you may have forgotten.
Just over an hour further along the highway, you will be in Haines Junction. A small town with some motels, gas stations and restaurants. We stayed at the Pine Lake provincial campground the first night, just outside of town. This spot is clearly popular, right on Pine Lake but a short drive to town.
Day 2: Kluane National Park
Day two on our Yukon road trip we woke early and packed up our tent. We had a flightseeing tour booked departing from the airstrip, which was conveniently located almost right beside the Pine Lake Campground. We took the Super Logan flightseeing tour and it was incredible to see the world’s largest non polar icefields along with the highest peak in Canada. Easily the biggest splurge of our trip, I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
After we landed we hopped back onto the road and drove into Kluane National Park, to Kathleen Lake. This gorgeous spot is also home to a Parks Canada managed campground, which is where we spent the night.
The lake offers lots of recreation opportunities from canoeing to hiking. There is a short and easy walk along the beginning of the lake. However there are also scrambles such as the Kings Throne for those who want to really get moving.
Day 3: Kluane National Park to Whitehorse
There is plenty to do around Kluane National Park and Haines Junction. It would be easy to spend more time here if we had it, with so many incredible trails and lakes to explore. We will be back!
For day three of our Yukon road trip we left Kluane National Park and headed to Whitehorse. We had been of the road for a few weeks prior to getting to the Yukon and needed to do some serious grocery shopping and laundry. We booked a night at the Caribou RV Park just outside Whitehorse. It had rave reviews and really did live up to them. The showers here were easily the best we had on our roadtrip.
Day 4: Whitehorse
Whitehorse has everything you could possible need. We spent day four of our Yukon road trip in town, stocking up on groceries and mosquito coils before heading north the following day.
The weather was good so we also spent some time checking out the incredible Miles Canyon. This incredible spot is a must see while in Whitehorse. If you have all day you can walk from Whitehorse and do a loop. For those shorter on time there is a parking area signed from the Alaska Highway which leaves you a short walk to the canyon and it’s suspension bridge. From here you can walk as far as you like before turning back.
Day 5: Whitehorse to Dawson City
It is around a six hour drive between Whitehorse and Dawson city for this stretch of our Yukon road trip. There aren’t any major places along the road but there are a few gas stations in case you need to fill up or grab some snacks or a drink.
Once we got to Dawson City we headed along the main road which followed the river to the ferry. Once across the mighty Yukon River there is a provincial campground on the other side. The Yukon River campground is ideally located to explore all the Dawson City has to offer. It has River side sites and more treed sites. Better still its a five minute walk to the ferry and once you are across the river you are in downtown.
Day 6: Dawson City to Tombstone Territorial Park
Backtracking from Dawson City along the highway, you’ll reach a sign for the Arctic Circle and the Dempster Highway. Turn here and start heading up the gravel road. The Dempster Highway is notorious for being a car destroyer. Especially tires! So make sure you have a spare…or two before heading up this road on your Yukon road trip.
Just over an hour after starting on the Dempster Highway, depending on road conditions, you’ll find yourself at the Tombstone Territorial Park visitor centre. This informative centre is filled with information about the wildlife, flora and fauna as well as the history of this incredible place.
Just up the road is the only front country campground in the park, a perfect base to explore Tombstone Territorial Park from with lots of day hiking and sightseeing opportunities nearby.
Day 7-10: Backpacking in Tombstone
We were lucky enough to secure permits to backpack to Grizzly, Divide and Talus Lakes in Tombstone Territorial Park. If this is something you want to do, I’d recommend booking your permits on the day booking opens via the Yukon Government website. It is a very popular trail, for good reason, it is stunning! However it was considerably harder than we expected as two people who were used to hiking the mountains. The steepness is not to be taken lightly!
You have numerous options, many people just backpack and spend one night and Grizzly Lake, which is gorgeous. If you have it in you for more, you can scale a mountain pass and enter the next valley over which is home to Divide and Talus Lakes, both have campgrounds at them.
Once you’ve managed to get over the incredible steep Glissade Pass it is worth spending at least two nights either at Divide Lake with a day hike to Talus Lake or a night at each lake. You’ll probably also need a night at Grizzly Lake on the way out to save having a huge day hiking out from Talus or Divide Lake with a lot of elevation gain.
If you don’t secure permits or don’t want to go backpacking, the day hike to the viewpoint on the trail will give you a spectacular view looking down the valley towards Grizzly Lake and is well worth doing but there’s plenty of elevation gain on this section!
Alternate: Drive the Dempster Highway to the Arctic Circle
If you aren’t into backpacking but want to see the best the area has to offer, continuing up the Dempster Highway to the Arctic Circle is another incredible option and one we will be back to do when we have more time.
The road is rough and cell reception is limited or non-existent so you must be self-sufficient if you are going to take this trip. Shortly before the Arctic Circle you’ll come across the town of Eagle Plains which offers a few essentials, including a hotel, but you’ll need to book in advance.
Day 11: Dawson City
After finishing our backpacking trip we headed back to Dawson City and the Yukon River Campground. We stopped at the RV park in downtown Dawson City and paid three bucks for a much needed shower before heading across the river to set up camp.
Dawson City is packed with history from the gold rush Era. Check out the docked SS Keno just beside the river for a look at the transportation options during the gold rush. There are also tours which will take you to pan for gold to see if you can win big.
If you are looking for brilliant views over Dawson City and the Yukon River, head up to the Midnight Dome, you can drive or hike up this gorgeous viewpoint.
Don’t forget to do the sour toe shot at the Sourdough Saloon in the Downtown Hotel. This right of passage is unusual but for many a must do during a stop in Dawson City with over 95,000 people having done it!
Day 12: Dawson City to Whitehorse
As our Yukon road trip started to wind down, we headed back to Whitehorse. A slow drive since when we visited a forest fire had passed across the highway a few days prior so there was lots of traffic control.
Once back in Whitehorse, we stocked back up at the grocery store and grabbed a bite to eat before heading back to spend the night at the Caribou RV Park.
Day 13: Whitehorse
Our last full day on our Yukon road trip was spent in Whitehorse. There are museums to explore such as the Yukon Transportation Museum and next door is the Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre, which we decided to visit. This museum goes back in time to look at when North America and Asia were joined by a land bridge. The exhibits are phenomenal and you can easily spend a few hours here exploring.
Then we headed down to the river to visit the National Historic Site, the SS Klondike. A sternwheeler from the gold rush days. While we were there the boat was closed to visitors but there were plenty of great information boards around the outside of the boat.
We headed out of Whitehorse and camped at the provincially managed campground, Marsh Lake, just off of the Alaska Highway. A beautiful but busy spot on the lake shore. A great place to spend the night.
Day 14: Whitehorse Towards Home
Since we drove up for our Yukon road trip, today we headed back south on the Alaska Highway, leaving the Yukon behind, next stop Liard Hot Springs campground in Northern BC for a sleep and a soak on the way home.