Dempster
Highway

Yukon & Northwest Territories, Canada

A 3,040-kilometer round trip through the untouched Arctic wilderness — tundra, mountains, and endless daylight.

3,200

Kilometers

Days

Territories

69°N

Northernmost

Scroll to explore

The Itinerary

Whitehorse → Tuktoyaktuk → Whitehorse

August 26 – September 10, 2026 • 16 Days • ~3,040 km

☑1Aug 26Whitehorse, YT6:28 – 21:0214h 34m~2h17/7—

☑2Aug 27Whitehorse → Dawson City6:12 – 21:2815h 16mNone17/6530 km · 6h

☑3Aug 28Dawson City → Eagle Plains5:58 – 21:4515h 47mNone15/5370 km · 5h

☑4Aug 29Eagle Plains (rest day)6:00 – 21:4815h 48mNone14/4—

5Aug 30Eagle Plains → Arctic Circle → Inuvik5:50 – 22:1416h 24mNone13/3480 km · 7h

6Aug 31Inuvik5:38 – 22:1816h 40mNone12/3—

7Sep 1Inuvik5:36 – 22:2016h 44mNone12/3—

8Sep 2Inuvik → Tuktoyaktuk5:32 – 22:2816h 56mNone10/3140 km · 2h

9Sep 3Tuktoyaktuk (Arctic Ocean)5:34 – 22:2216h 48mNone8/2—

10Sep 4Tuktoyaktuk → Ft McPherson6:30 – 20:5014h 20mNone9/3340 km · 5h

11Sep 5Ft McPherson → Dawson City6:35 – 20:4514h 10mNone10/3650 km · 9h

☑12Sep 6Dawson City → Whitehorse6:52 – 20:2813h 36m~2h15/4530 km · 6h

☑13Sep 7Whitehorse6:56 – 20:2213h 26m~5h14/4—

☑14Sep 8Whitehorse6:56 – 20:2013h 24m~5h14/4—

☑15Sep 9Whitehorse6:58 – 20:1813h 20m~5h13/3—

☑16Sep 10Whitehorse → Toronto7:00 – 20:1513h 15m~5h13/3—

Fuel Stops

Gas Stations Along the Route

Services are sparse north of Dawson City. Fill up whenever you can. The longest stretch without fuel is 368 km between Eagle Plains and Fort McPherson.

1Whitehorse0Multiple stations (Chevron, Esso, Petro‑Can)

2Carmacks180Gas available, open regular hours

3Stewart Crossing345Gas available

4Dawson City530Multiple stations — fill up before Dempster

5Tombstone Interpretive Centre630Seasonal gas (May–Sep), limited hours

6Eagle Plains Hotel1,000⚠️ Last gas for 368 km — fill up

7Fort McPherson1,280Gas available, limited Sunday hours

8Inuvik1,380Multiple stations (Northern, Esso)

9Tuktoyaktuk1,520Gas available at the Co‑op

Groceries & Supplies

Where to Stock Up

Prices increase the farther north you go. Stock up on non-perishables, snacks, and water in Dawson City before heading onto the Dempster. Fresh produce is limited past Inuvik.

1Carmacks General StoreCarmacksBasic groceries, snacks, drinks

2Stewart Crossing LodgeStewart CrossingLimited convenience supplies

3Full Circle Foods / Dawson GeneralDawson CityBest selection before the Dempster — stock up here

4Tombstone Interpretive CentreTombstone ParkSnacks only, no real groceries

5Eagle Plains Hotel StoreEagle PlainsLimited convenience items, expensive

6Northern StoreFort McPhersonGroceries, limited produce

7Northern Store / North MartInuvikFull grocery stores, best selection north of Dawson

8Co‑op / Northern StoreTuktoyaktukLimited selection, premium prices

Points of Interest

Sights Along the Way

From Gold Rush history to Arctic tundra, here are the must-see stops on your journey north.

1Five Finger RapidsKlondike HwyScenic viewpoint overlooking the Yukon River

2CarmacksKlondike HwyHistoric trading post & river crossing

3Stewart River BridgeKlondike HwyHistoric bridge, popular photo stop

4Dawson CityKlondike HwyGold Rush town, SS Keno, Diamond Tooth Gerties

5Dempster Junction (Km 0)Dempster HwyStart of Canada's only Arctic highway

6Tombstone Territorial ParkDempster HwyDramatic granite spires, visitor centre, hiking

7North Fork PassDempster HwyHighest point on the Dempster (1,289 m)

8Eagle PlainsDempster HwyOnly hotel & services between Dawson & Inuvik

9Arctic Circle CrossingDempster HwyOfficial 66°33'N monument and sign

10Peel & Mackenzie River FerriesNear Ft McPhersonFree cable ferries (seasonal, Jun–Oct)

11Fort McPhersonNWTHistoric Hudson's Bay fort, Gwich'in community

12Igloo ChurchInuvikFamous domed landmark (Our Lady of Victory)

13Pingo National LandmarkNear TuktoyaktukUnique permafrost ice-cored hills

14Arctic OceanTuktoyaktukDip your toes at the end of the road

Accommodation

Hotels & Lodges

Book ahead in summer — rooms fill up quickly north of Dawson City. Prices rise the farther north you go.

1Carmacks Hotel & Riverview MotelCarmacks1801,340Rooms & restaurant on the Yukon RiverWebsite

2Stewart Crossing LodgeStewart Crossing3451,175Basic rooms, restaurant & barWebsite

3Downtown Hotel / Eldorado / Bombay Peggy'sDawson City530990Multiple hotels — book in advanceExpedia · Direct

4Tombstone Mountain LodgeTombstone Park630890Cabins & campingAirbnb

5Eagle Plains HotelEagle Plains1,000520Only hotel for 368 km — reserve aheadWebsite

6Peel River InnFort McPherson1,280240On the Peel RiverWebsite

7Mackenzie HotelInuvik1,380140On-site restaurantWebsite

8Capital SuitesInuvik1,380140Some rooms include full kitchensWebsite

9Arctic Circle InnInuvik1,380140Standard Non-Smoking One Queen · 2 nightsBooked ✓

10Arctic ChaletInuvik1,380140Cabins with laundryWebsite

11Tuk Inn / B&B'sTuktoyaktuk1,5200Fully booked—

12SaliqmiutTuktoyaktuk1,5200Enquiry sentWebsite

Highlights

What Awaits You

🏔️

Tombstone Territorial Park

Dramatic granite spires, permafrost landscapes, and abundant wildlife including grizzly bears and dall sheep.

🌌

Midnight Sun & Aurora

24-hour daylight in summer, and some of the world's best Northern Lights viewing in autumn and winter.

🦌

Arctic Wildlife

Caribou herds, muskoxen, Arctic foxes, and over 100 species of migratory birds call this region home.

🛶

Mackenzie River Delta

The journey ends at North America's second largest river delta — a vast network of channels and lakes.

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