The Dempster Highway is a modern frontier road, well-travelled in the summer and continuously maintained. But its gravel surface and the rigors of arctic weather can occasionally mean a less than smooth ride.
Start with your vehicle and tires in good shape, and use moderate speed and good sense for a hassle-free driving adventure. Vehicle services are available at Eagle Plains and Tetlit Zheh (Fort McPherson) only.
There are no summer roads beyond Inuvik, but there are winter roads from January to April throughout the Delta. The winter roads are subject to travel advisories and closures due to weather.
Seven government campgrounds, numerous viewpoints, picnic sites and fishing holes are located along the Dempster route. The highway closes for two to three weeks in spring and late fall when river crossings break up and freeze.
BEGIN the Dempster Highway 25 km (40 m) east of Dawson City, Yukon, at the junction with the Klondike Highway. Interpretive display about the Highway, and full service available here at Klondike River Lodge. Next service point is 365 km (232 miles).
Km 66 (mile 41) Yukon highway maintenance camp. No services. One km further is a stream, and a short hike west leads to a waterfall.
Km 73 (mile 45) Tombstone Mountain Campground ã 22 rv/tent sites, toilets, water, wood. Fishing in the North Klondike River and a one km trail.
Km 75.5 (mile 46) View point of spectacular Tombstone Mountain, a 2,192 metre (7,191 ft) landmark.
Km 82 (mile 51) North Fork Pass, the Dempster Highway’s highest elevation at 1,289 metres (4,229 ft). The road now follows the Blackstone River; try the grayling fishing at the km 117 bridge.
Km 92.8 (mile 58) If you need to stretch your legs, a strenuous 4 km hike through some creeks and up Sheep Mountain affords grand views of the Blackstone Valley and Ogilvie River.
Km 115-117 (mile 71-72) The Royal Northwest Mounted Police trekked this country on their month-long patrols from Dawson to Aklavik. A plaque at km 117 commemorates the role of Sergeant W.J.B. Dempster.
Km 122 (mile 76) Chapman Lake
Km 132 (mile 82) Cache Creek. Trees start to show up again as the highway travels into lower elevations.
Km 169 (mile 105) Engineer Creek. Nearby mineral springs attract game animals.
Km 194 (mile 120) Engineer Creek campground, 23 rv/tent sites, toilets, water, wood. Named after the men who helped build the road. Nearby Sapper Hill displays fascinating rock åforests’.
Km 196 (mile 150) Ogilvie grader station, no services. The narrow road for the next 40 km (25 m) through the Ogilvie River Valley is banked by hills, and Dall’s sheep can occasionally be seen.
Km 223 (mile 141) Grayling fishing at Ogilvie River bridge, and to the west, look at Elephant Rock.
Km 242 (mile 150) The Dempster leaves the river valley and begins to climb again, some 915 metres (3,000 ft) into the continental divide and through the rolling Eagle Plains. This is open, windswept, dry country, and offers few resources for hikers.
Km 281 (mile 174) A patch of jackpine and black spruce is called åDrunken Forest’ because permafrost action has heaved the ground. Also in this region are long straight trails through the landscape. These seismic lines were cut by exploration crews in the 1960s in the search for oil and gas.
Km 364 (mile 226) The halfway point! The Eagle Plains hotel, open year-round, is a full-service highway lodge with some campsites. A great collection of photos from the era of the Mad Trapper and Lost Patrol.
Km 369 (mile 229) Stop here for a view of the Eagle River.
Km 403 (mile 250) Cross the Arctic Circle and take a picture at the signpost of latitude 66 degrees 33 minutes north.
Km 447 (mile 277) Rock river campground, one of the few protected spots on the Eagle Plains highway route. 17 rv/tent sites, toilets, water, wood.
Km 462 (mile 287) Richardson Mountains picnic ground.
Km 471 (mile 292) The Yukon/NWT border crossing. Here, the Dempster crosses the continental divide a third time as it winds through the Richardson Mountains. The range was named after Sir John Richardson, an explorer, surgeon and naturalist who accompanied Sir John Franklin on his expeditions in the early 1800s. Set your watch ahead one hour from Yukon to Mountain time.
Km 485 (mile 301) James Creek highway camp. No services, but good grayling fishing in the creek.
Km 495 (mile 307) Wright Pass Summit. The last high point on the highway before it descends to the Peel River.
Km 514 (mile 319) Midway Lake, site of the July music festival.
Km 545 (mile 338) Peel River Ferry crossing. Normal hours, 9 a.m. to midnight.
Km 547 (mile 340) Nutuilie NWT Campground. Information centre open June - early September, 24 campsites, toilets, water, wood.
Km 555 (mile 345) Access roads to airstrip and town of Tetlit Zheh (Fort McPherson).
Tetlit Zheh (Fort McPherson) Highlights:
Km 613 (mile 380) Mackenzie River Ferry Crossing. Normal hours 9 a.m. to midnight. The ferry also serves the approach road to Tsiigehtchic (Arctic Red River); let the crew know if you want to go there.
Tsiigehtchic (Arctic Red River) Highlights:
Km 692 (mile 430) Caribou Creek picnic area.
Km 714 (mile 443) Cabin Creek picnic area.
Km 719 (mile 446) Campbell Creek picnic area, pike and whitefish, hiking along ancient limestone escarpment.
Km 733 (mile 455) Turn-off to Inuvik airport, vehicle services.
Km 737 (mile 457) Chuk Territorial Campground. 38 sites, toilets, wood, water, showers. Birch trees, great views of the Delta.
Km 741 (mile 460) Town of Inuvik. The Happy Valley territorial
campground, in the town itself, has 20 rv sites, showers, dump station,
wood.