Golden Circle
Overview
Print PageRoute - 606 km / 377 mi
Day | Location | Distance | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
01 | Whitehorse to Haines Junction | 158 km / 98 mi | Approx. 1 hour 40 minutes |
02 | Haines Junction | ||
03 | -- | ||
04 | Haines Junction to Haines | 257 km / 160 mi | Approx. 3 hours 10 minutes |
05 | Haines | ||
06 | -- | ||
07 | -- | ||
08 | Haines to Skagway (by ocean ferry) | 11 km / 7 mi | Approx. 1 hours 30 minutes |
09 | Skagway | ||
10 | -- | ||
11 | Skagway to Carcross | 106 km / 66 mi | Approx. 1 hour 50 minutes |
12 | Carcross to Whitehorse | 74 km / 46 mi | Approx. 1 hour |
13 | Whitehorse | ||
14 | -- |
Whitehorse to Haines Junction
Haines Junction
Haines Junction to Haines
Haines
Haines to Skagway (by ocean ferry)
Skagway
Skagway to Carcross
Carcross to Whitehorse
Whitehorse
Trip Details
Canada's Yukon Territory is an amazing travel destination offering plenty of adventure. If you drive straight through from Whitehorse, you will be in Haines Junction within two hours. But, with so much to see, enjoy this scenic drive.
Stop at Takhini River Valley viewing point and learn about wildlife found in this area. As you continue along the Alaska Highway, you’ll see the Ruby Range to the north, Dezadeash Range to the south and Kluane Range up ahead.
As you get close to Haines Junction, you will see Otter Falls Cutoff. There are camping spots here, gas, groceries and a wildlife museum. At this junction, a road leads to Otter Falls. Toward Haines Junction again, you will cross Aishihik River Bridge. It has a view of the original bridge built in 1920. As you get closer to Kluane Range, you will see its ice fields.
CanaDream Club Partners:
Your first stop should be the Visitor Reception Centre to get a feel for what’s available. Tour operators, outfitters and rental companies are located here to help you enjoy the great outdoors with glacier flight seeing, river rafting, mountain biking, horseback riding, llama trekking, hiking, snowmobiling and cross country skiing.
Twenty kilometres from Haines Junction is Kathleen Lake, known as the windiest lake in the Yukon. If you brought your fishing rod and fishing license purchased in Haines Junction, you can catch rainbow, lake trout, kokanee and grayling here. Or, visit Klukshu, a native fishing village, eight kilometres further down the highway.
Haines is an Alaskan town of 2,500 offering shopping, restaurants and various sightseeing experiences/activities. Check out the CanaDream app to see discounts available to you. If you want to do some serious eagle spotting, about an hour from Haines is Mosquito Lake State Recreation Site. Here, you’re at the edge of the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve.
And, in the evening just before dusk, take in an amazing sight – bears and eagles feasting on salmon for late night dinner. Drive five minutes along the shore on Lutak Road (just follow the signs to the ferry terminal) and turn left when you reach the bridge. Just down this road, you will find a weir across a river. Park your camper and watch the show.
Skagway today, as it was in 1898, is a bustling town with false-fronted stores and boarded sidewalks. This town knows how to keep that Gold Rush era flavour. There are historic buildings, tours of graveyards, gold dredge exhibits and restaurants that sit right on the harbour.
Visit the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center to learn more about this era and be sure to check out the CanaDream Club app to take advantage of discounts at campgrounds and activities.
CanaDream Club Partners:
The White Pass Railway and Yukon Route has done a marvellous job of offering a breathtaking and authentic journey. People come from all over the world to experience this trip on a rail system that is considered one of the seven engineering wonders of the world.
From here to Carcross, you will be wedged between mountains on your left and lakes on your right. A turnout, 12 kilometres past Tutshi Lake Campground, has picnic tables and information on the Venus Mines and the next lake you will pass is Tagish Lake.
Carcross is surrounded by mountains, is slow of pace and is a harbour of quiet. It is also a very spiritual place as it sits at the convergence of four valleys and two water systems. It’s also home to the oldest store in the Yukon, Matthew Watson General Store and the oldest hotel.
CanaDream Club Partners:
Just a few minutes further up the road, toward Whitehorse, you will see Caribou Crossing Trading Post. Just a little further is Emerald Lake, a natural wonder of clear, blue water that is lit up with blue-green swirls of colour throughout.
As you continue your journey, you will see Caribou Mountain to the east, Montana Mountain to the south and Gray Ridge Range to the west. As you get close to the Alaska Highway once more, you can stop for a swim at Kookatsoon Lake. Although fed by glaciers, it is shallow enough to warm up quickly in the afternoon.
CanaDream Club Partners: CanaDream Club hotel partners in the Whitehorse area:
- Best Western Gold Rush Inn
- Coast High Country Inn
- Days Inn Whitehorse
- Edgewater Hotel
- Westmark Whitehorse Hotel
Whitehorse is a beautiful city where you can enjoy intimate meals, hot and cold drinks and experience Yukon excitement such as mushing excursions in the winter and more viewing of the northern lights if you haven’t squeezed enough in.