Tatshenshini-Alsek Wilderness Road
UNESCO wilderness mining track near Alaska border
The Tatshenshini-Alsek Wilderness Road cuts through some of the most untouched country in North America, following old mining access routes toward the abandoned Bates Lake copper claims. You’ll ford glacier-fed creeks, navigate washouts from spring floods, and pass through country where grizzlies outnumber people by serious margins. The route dead-ends at the old Parton River bridge site, where twisted steel remnants mark where prospectors once hauled supplies toward the Fairweather Range.
This is serious backcountry requiring experienced drivers with recovery gear, satellite communication, and bear protocol knowledge. High-clearance 4WD minimum, but lockers and winches earn their keep on creek crossings and muddy sections. Best tackled July through September when water levels drop and weather windows open. No services, no cell coverage, no room for error. What you get is complete wilderness solitude in some of the most spectacular mountain country on the continent.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Extreme |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 68 mi / 109.4 km |
| Duration | 3-4 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4800 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with recovery gear |
| Nearest town | Haines Junction, Yukon |
| Land manager | British Columbia Parks |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run this trail, or does it actually need to be modified?
A stock rig won't cut it here. You need a modified 4WD with a suspension lift, high clearance, all-terrain or mud tires, and full recovery gear including a winch. Glacier-fed river crossings and remote terrain with zero rescue access make this non-negotiable.
When does this trail actually open and close each year?
July through September is the window. Snow and frozen river conditions make the trail impassable outside those months, and even in early July the crossings can be dangerously high from snowmelt — check conditions before you commit.
Do you need a permit to drive this trail and who do you get it from?
Yes, a permit is required. British Columbia Parks manages the area — contact them directly before your trip since this runs through UNESCO World Heritage territory and access rules can change seasonally.
What's the hardest section and what makes it genuinely dangerous?
The glacier-fed river crossings are the crux — water levels fluctuate fast, visibility into the water is poor, and there is zero recovery infrastructure out here. A failed crossing 50+ miles in with no cell service means you're on your own, so scout every crossing on foot before you drive it.
How far is the nearest gas station and can you complete this 68-mile trail on one tank?
Haines Junction is your last fuel stop before the trail — stock up there. At 68 miles of slow, technical backcountry driving with possible winching and multiple crossings, fuel burn will be higher than normal, so carry a minimum 5-gallon jerry can as a buffer.
Trail track
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