Klondike Highway (Hwy #2)

The Klondike Highway is the main north-south travel route in the Yukon Territory, Canada. The highway measures 717 kilometres (445 miles) and stretches from Skagway, Alaska, USA in the south to Dawson City , Yukon, Canada in the north.

The South Klondike Highway is a sightseeing route passing by many lakes, rivers, pull out parking and viewpoints. The North Klondike Highway is more of a historic route following in the steps of the Klondike Gold Rush.

The South Klondike Highway connects to the Yukon communities of Whitehorse and Carcross. The highway also connects with other transportation routes in the south Yukon including the Alaska Highway (Hwy #1) and Tagish Road (Hwy #8).

The Yukon communities located on the North Klondike Highway include Carmacks and Dawson City. The North Klondike Highway connects to some of the more popular sightseeing driving routes in the Yukon like the Top of the World Highway and the Dempster Highway. The northern route also connects to highways leading to some of the more remote communities in the Yukon like the Silver Trail Highway and the Robert Campbell Highway.

Starting in the south the Klondike Highway begins in Skagway, Alaska, USA. The USA/Canada Border is located at the kilometre 14 highway marker of the Klondike Highway. The first real rest stop after the border is the Log Cabin parking lot at kilometre 44. The Log Cabin is the trailhead to the famous backpacking route - the Chilkoot Trail.

Continue traveling the Klondike Highway north and Tutshi Lake comes into view. There are parking and scenic pull outs on the Klondike Highway at kilometre 57, 62, 64 and 70. However kilometre 64 is a gravel road leading down to a picnic area.

Kilometre 80 is the BC/Yukon Border. The Bove Island Lookout at kilometre 95 is the best viewpoint after the border, at least on this leg of the Klondike Highway. The lookout provides a viewing platform with excellent views of the Windy Arm on Tagish Lake.

Carcross is the first southern Yukon community of the Klondike Highway. It is located at kilometre 105 (mile 65). Continue north on the highway and there is the Carcross Desert (kilometre 107), Emerald Lake (kilometre 117), Robinson Roadhouse (kilometre 142) and the Alaska Highway (kilometre158).

After Whitehorse, continue traveling north on the Klondike Highway. The route passes by many lakes, rivers and creeks including Horse Creek, Deep Creek, Fox Creek, Fox Lake (kilometre 238, 262) and Twin Lakes (kilometre 208).

Carmacks is located at kilometre 354 on the North Klondike Highway. Just south of Carmacks on the highway at kilometre 322 is the Montague Roadhouse. Just past Carmacks is the highway junction accessing the Robert Campbell Highway. Again the highway continues north passing by more lakes and crossing more creeks and rivers.

From Carmacks to Dawson City on the North Klondike Highway are many more creeks, pull outs, parking areas and viewpoints. The next major point of interest on the Klondike Highway heading north is the Dempster Highway exit at kilometre 674. The Klondike Highway ends in Dawson City at kilometre 716.