Overview

The Golden Circle starts and ends in Whitehorse, taking you over a mountain to the Pacific Ocean and from a coastal rain forest to the world’s smallest desert. The Yukon has pristine rivers and lakes; endless forests teeming with wildlife; and a fascinating Gold Rush history that is so close, dance hall music can still be heard. And anywhere there is a place to park a camper – whether it is in a natural Motorhome or RV park, or beside a stream with no name – a mountain view is practically guaranteed. Please note that if you pick up your RV in any location (except Whitehorse), both the Northern Surcharge fee and the US Travel Fee are applicable to this itinerary.
Duration
14 DAYS
Distance
606km / 377mi
Start / End
Whitehorse / Whitehorse
Region
British Columbia, Yukon, Alaska
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Route - 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
Day 1

Whitehorse to Haines Junction

The air is so clean and dry here, the far-off mountains will seem close enough you can touch them. Welcome to the Golden Circle – an incredible journey around the Yukon and Alaska.
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Welcome Sign - Haines Junction
Day 2 - 3

Haines Junction

Haines Junction is the jumping-off point to many adventures in the Kluane National Park and Reserve. The Kluane National Park has the highest mountains in Canada and has the largest non-polar icefield in the world.
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Bears crossing, Haines Highway
Day 4

Haines Junction to Haines

When you leave town (fill up your tank with gas first), follow the signs to Haines, Alaska on the Haines Highway. As you get closer to the mountains, you will start to see bald eagles playing in the thermals swirling around the mountaintops that you will be driving through.
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Totem Detail, Haines
Day 5 - 7

Haines

Haines is an Alaskan town of 2,500 offering shopping, restaurants and various sightseeing experiences/activities.
 
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Skagway
Day 8

Haines to Skagway (by ocean ferry)

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 alive.
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White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad
Day 9 - 10

Skagway

While in Skagway, consider taking a trip on a narrow-gauge railway that will take you around the sides of canyon walls, over trestles and up into the mountains from lush valley floors.
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Carcross
Day 11

Skagway to Carcross

As you descend into the Southern Lakes region of the Yukon on today’s drive from Skagway to Carcross, colour returns with volcanic rock and impressive limestone bluffs.
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Carcross Desert
Day 12

Carcross to Whitehorse

Your last few days on the road begins with the Carcross Desert, the world’s smallest desert. It is 260 hectares and is home to several plant species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
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Northern Lights over Whitehorse
Day 13 - 14

Whitehorse

Whitehorse is a beautiful city where you can enjoy intimate meals, hot drinks and cold brews as well as experience Yukon excitement such as a mushing excursions in the winter and more northern lights viewing if you haven’t squeezed enough in.
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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.
 
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Haines Junction is the jumping-off point to many adventures in the Kluane National Park and Reserve. The Kluane National Park has the highest mountains in Canada and has the largest non-polar icefield in the world.

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.
When you leave town (fill up your tank with gas first), follow the signs to Haines, Alaska on the Haines Highway. As you get closer to the mountains, you will start to see bald eagles playing in the thermals swirling around the mountaintops that you will be driving through.

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:

While in Skagway, consider taking a trip on a narrow-gauge railway that will take you around the sides of canyon walls, over trestles and up into the mountains from lush valley floors.

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.
As you descend into the Southern Lakes region of the Yukon, colour returns with volcanic rock and impressive limestone bluffs. You’ll arrive at Tutshi Lake, where you can fish. At the far end of the lake is a campground. The roads here are tight, so you may want to walk in first to ensure your camper will fit.

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:
Your last few days on the road begins with the Carcross Desert, the world’s smallest desert. It is 260 hectares and is home to several plant species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

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: CanaDream Club attraction partners in the Whitehorse area:
Open year-round, enjoy the Nordic Eclipse Hot Springs on the outskirts of Whitehorse after two weeks on the road. Or, if you’re curious about the wildlife you’ve seen on your journey, consider checking out the Yukon Wildlife Preserve which features 11 species of animals.

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.

Other Itineraries in Yukon

Start/End Whitehorse / Whitehorse
Duration 14 days
Northern Lights Tour
So wonderful, so magical, the Northern Lights are a gift to those who live in Canada’s north and Alaska. This heavenly light show shoots green lights this way and red swirls that way as a curtain of white, shimmering light dances before you. And, when the conditions are just right, you can hear them crackle. On your journey from Whitehorse into Alaska, you might just be delighted with them nightly. Please note that if you pick up in any location other than Whitehorse, a northern surcharge fee and the US travel fee will be payable.
Learn more »
Start/End Vancouver / Vancouver
Duration 24 days
Yukon Explorer
From one of the most livable cities in the world to the untamed wilderness of Canada's Great North, there's so much to discover on this epic road trip from Vancouver to the Yukon Territory. Please note that if you pick up from a location other than Whitehorse, both the northern surcharge and US travel fee will be payable.
Learn more »
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