Yukon Kluane, Klondike & Alaska Loop
Depart from Whitehorse, enter Alaska via Kluane, drive the Top of the World Highway to Dawson City, and loop back.
This is the Yukon's most established summer self-drive loop, connecting the Southern Lakes, the Kluane mountains, and the gold rush heritage of Dawson City over a total distance of about 1,700 km. Most sections are paved, while the Top of the World Highway is gravel. Start early on the two long-distance driving days, and allow two full days in Dawson City. US entry eligibility is required. This route does not include Tombstone Territorial Park or the Dempster Highway; if you wish to drive to the Arctic Circle, please refer to our other itinerary.
The Little Gold Creek border crossing is typically open from late May to mid-September with limited daily hours, making this loop possible only in summer.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrival in Whitehorse
Whitehorse（SS Klondike National Historic Site、Whitehorse Waterfront & Trolley、MacBride Museum of Yukon History）
Pick up your rental car at the airport and drive to downtown (approx. 10 minutes). Spend the afternoon exploring the riverside area on foot.
Stay: Downtown Whitehorse
Day 2 · Southern Lakes & Carcross
Whitehorse（Emerald Lake (Yukon)、Carcross Desert） → Skagway（Carcross）
Drive round-trip along the South Klondike Highway (approx. 150 km total, 1 hour 15 minutes one way) on paved roads.
Stay: Downtown Whitehorse
Day 3 · Wildlife Preserve to Haines Junction
Whitehorse（Yukon Wildlife Preserve） → Haines Junction
Visit the preserve in the morning, then drive west along the Alaska Highway for about 154 km (approx. 2 hours) to Haines Junction.
Stay: Haines Junction
Day 4 · A Day in the Kluane Mountains
Whitehorse（Kluane National Park and Reserve）
Drive south along the Haines Highway to hike near Kathleen Lake (approx. 2 hours round-trip drive). You can optionally add a flightseeing tour.
Flightseeing tours are highly weather-dependent, so keep your schedule flexible. Be bear aware (grizzlies).
Stay: Haines Junction
Day 5 · Along Kluane Lake into Alaska
Tok
Drive about 467 km along the Alaska Highway to Tok (approx. 6–7 hours), crossing into the US via Beaver Creek.
This is the longest driving day of the trip. Watch out for frost heaves on some sections and start early.
Stay: Tok
Day 6 · Top of the World Highway to Dawson City
Dawson City（George Black Ferry、Diamond Tooth Gerties Gambling Hall）
Drive about 297 km (mostly gravel) via Chicken to the border, then take the free ferry across the Yukon River to Dawson City (approx. 6–7 hours).
The border crossing operates from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM Yukon Time. If you miss it, you must wait until the next day.
Stay: Downtown Dawson
Day 7 · Dawson Historic District
Dawson City（Dawson Historical Complex、Dänojà Zho Cultural Centre、SS Keno National Historic Site、Dawson City Museum、Jack London Museum & Cabin）
Spend the day exploring the historic town on foot. All major attractions are within a 15-minute walk, so no driving is needed.
Stay: Downtown Dawson
Day 8 · Goldfields & Midnight Dome
Dawson City（Dredge No. 4 National Historic Site、Discovery Claim National Historic Site、Midnight Dome、Sourtoe Cocktail at Downtown Hotel）
Drive round-trip along Bonanza Creek Road (approx. 60 km total) to the historic gold mining sites. Drive up to the Midnight Dome in the evening (approx. 15 minutes).
Historic sites like Dredge No. 4 are open in summer; check tour schedules in advance.
Stay: Downtown Dawson
Day 9 · Southbound on the North Klondike Highway
Drive about 533 km on paved roads back to Whitehorse (approx. 6 hours), stopping at the Five Finger Rapids Recreation Site along the way.
Gas stations are sparse; refuel in Carmacks.
Stay: Downtown Whitehorse
Day 10 · Canyon Walk & Departure
Whitehorse（Miles Canyon、Yukon Beringia Interpretive Centre）
Drive from downtown to Miles Canyon (approx. 10 minutes). On the way back, visit the interpretive centre, then return your car at the adjacent airport.