Taylor Highway

Alaska Route 5, better known as the Taylor Highway, runs 161 miles from the Alaska Highway near Tetlin Junction to the town of Eagle on the Yukon River, passing through the ghost town of Chicken and connecting to the Top of the World Highway. This is raw Alaska — a mostly gravel road that winds through the Fortymile Country, where gold rush history meets untamed wilderness. The road follows old mining trails and river valleys, crossing countless creeks where you can still pan for gold and see remnants of 1890s mining operations scattered through the landscape.

Difficulty ranges from easy to moderate depending on conditions, but any vehicle with decent ground clearance can handle it dry. Wet weather turns the clay-gravel mix treacherous, making 4WD essential. The road typically opens in May after winter closure and runs through October. Fuel is available only in Chicken (expensive) and Eagle, so carry extra from Tok. Cell service is non-existent, and this is bear country — both black and grizzly. Dispersed camping is unlimited, and you’ll likely encounter more wildlife than people on this genuine Last Frontier experience.