Dempster Highway to the Arctic Ocean
A round-trip from Whitehorse via Dawson City, Tombstone Territorial Park, and the Arctic Circle, driving all the way to Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean.
This is Canada's only road to the Arctic Ocean, consisting primarily of about 740 km of gravel road and two ferry crossings. The round-trip covers approximately 2,800 km. While the pace is intense, it features a relaxing three-night stay in Inuvik. Accommodation along the route is extremely limited: Tombstone has only a campground, and Eagle Plains offers the only midway motel. This trip is best suited for travelers with gravel-road driving experience and camping gear. Most standard car rental agreements prohibit driving on this highway, so written authorization is required.
Ferries operate from early June to late October but may be suspended due to high water levels. The tundra begins to turn red in late August.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrival & Preparation
Whitehorse（Miles Canyon、SS Klondike National Historic Site、Whitehorse Waterfront & Trolley）
Pick up your rental car at the airport and drive to downtown (approx. 10 minutes). Stock up on camping supplies and spare tires, and visit Miles Canyon and the waterfront in the evening.
Obtain written permission from your rental company for gravel roads, and carry at least one full-sized spare tire.
Stay: Downtown Whitehorse
Day 2 · North to Lake Laberge & Carmacks
Whitehorse（Lake Laberge） → Carmacks
Drive about 175 km along the North Klondike Highway (approx. 2 hours), stopping by the lake and the town in the afternoon.
Stay: Carmacks
Day 3 · Five Finger Rapids to Dawson City
Dawson City（Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall）
Drive about 360 km on paved roads (approx. 4 hours), stopping at Five Finger Rapids and Pelly Crossing along the way.
Stay: Downtown Dawson
Day 4 · Dawson Old Town & Goldfields
Dawson City（Dawson Historical Complex、Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre、Dredge No. 4 National Historic Site、Discovery Claim National Historic Site、Midnight Dome）
Explore the historic town on foot in the morning. In the afternoon, drive round-trip (approx. 60 km total) to the gold mining sites, and head up to the Midnight Dome in the evening.
Check your vehicle, water, and food supplies in Dawson City, as this is the last major service point for the southern section.
Stay: Downtown Dawson
Day 5 · Kilometre Zero to Tombstone
Dawson City（Tombstone Territorial Park）
Drive east for about 40 km to the Dempster Highway junction, then continue on gravel for 71 km to the Tombstone Interpretive Centre (approx. 1.5 hours total).
Campsites must be booked in advance. If you are not camping, you can return to Dawson City for the night and start early the next day.
Stay: Tombstone Mountain Campground
Day 6 · Ogilvie Mountains to Eagle Plains
Eagle Plains
Drive about 300 km on gravel (approx. 4.5–5 hours), stopping at Red Creek and the Ogilvie Ridge Viewpoint.
Eagle Plains Motel has limited rooms, so book well in advance. Fill up your gas tank here.
Stay: Eagle Plains
Day 7 · Crossing the Arctic Circle to Inuvik
Inuvik（Dempster Highway Arctic Circle Crossing）
Drive about 365 km (approx. 6–8 hours), including two free ferry crossings over the Peel and Mackenzie Rivers, passing through Fort McPherson.
Ferries can be suspended due to water levels; check Northwest Territories road conditions before departing.
Stay: Downtown Inuvik
Day 8 · A Day in Inuvik
Inuvik（Western Arctic Regional Visitor Centre、Our Lady of Victory (Igloo) Church、Inuvik Community Greenhouse、Mackenzie River Delta）
Spend the day exploring the town on foot or taking short drives. All major attractions are within a 2 km radius.
Stay: Downtown Inuvik
Day 9 · Day Trip to Tuktoyaktuk
Inuvik（Pingo Canadian Landmark、Tuktoyaktuk & Arctic Ocean）
Drive the all-weather gravel highway (approx. 150 km one way, 2.5 hours) to Tuktoyaktuk and return to Inuvik on the same day.
There are no services and poor cell reception along this highway. Fill up your tank in Inuvik before setting off.
Stay: Downtown Inuvik
Day 10 · Southbound Return to Eagle Plains
Inuvik（Gwich'in Territorial Park） → Eagle Plains
Drive about 365 km (approx. 6–8 hours), crossing the two ferries again, with an optional stop at Gwich'in Territorial Park.
Stay: Eagle Plains
Day 11 · Mountain Drive Back to Dawson City
Dawson City（Sourtoe Cocktail at Downtown Hotel）
Drive about 410 km on gravel (approx. 7–8 hours), returning to the paved Klondike Highway in the afternoon.
This is a long driving day. In case of bad weather or flat tires, you can camp at designated sites along the way.
Stay: Downtown Dawson
Day 12 · Southbound on the North Klondike Highway
Drive about 533 km on paved roads back to Whitehorse (approx. 6 hours). This is a full day of driving, so start early.
Refuel in Carmacks. If you are short on time, you can spend another night there.
Stay: Downtown Whitehorse
Day 13 · Car Wash, Return & Departure
Whitehorse（Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre、MacBride Museum of Yukon History）
Wash off the mud before returning your rental car. It takes about 10 minutes from downtown to the interpretive centre and the airport.