Kluane Lake to Burwash Landing — Silver City Ghost Town Road
Ghost town ruins with the St. Elias range as backdrop.
Silver City doesn’t get the attention it deserves. In its early 1900s copper-rush heyday it had a North-West Mounted Police post, a hotel, and a steady stream of prospectors heading toward the Kluane Range. Today it’s a scatter of collapsed log structures sitting on a gravel bench above Kluane Lake’s turquoise shoreline. The access road branches off the Alaska Highway north of Destruction Bay and runs south along the lakeshore, giving you unobstructed views of the St. Elias Mountains — the highest coastal range on earth — reflected in one of the Yukon’s largest natural lakes. Distance is modest but the scenery is staggering.
This is a high-clearance two-track rather than a full technical challenge — a stock 4WD truck or capable SUV handles it fine in dry conditions. The surface turns to greasy clay after rain, which can make even gentle grades treacherous. Fuel up in Haines Junction or Destruction Bay; there’s nothing along the route. No formal permit is needed, and dispersed camping along the lake bench is spectacular. Best run late June through September before the road deteriorates. Bring your own water — the lake is glacially silted and not suitable without treatment.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 18 mi / 29 km |
| Duration | Half day to 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2800 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Destruction Bay, Yukon |
| Land manager | Parks Canada — Kluane National Park and Reserve |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | pc.gc.ca |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail, or does it need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner is the baseline minimum — no lift required, but low-range is useful on the rougher descent sections. 2WD trucks and crossovers should stay on the Alaska Highway.
When does this road typically open in spring, and is it passable in October?
The road is generally driveable June through September. Spring breakup can leave it soft and rutted into late May, and early snowfall in October can make the surface unpredictable — some years it's fine, others it's not worth the risk.
Do you need a permit to drive through to Silver City and camp near Kluane Lake?
The road and ghost town ruins fall within Kluane National Park and Reserve jurisdiction, so a Parks Canada backcountry permit is required for overnight camping. Day use to drive through and walk the ruins does not require a permit, but confirm current rules at pc.gc.ca or the Haines Junction visitor centre before you go.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what makes it technical?
The descent toward the lakeshore is the roughest stretch — loose gravel, embedded rocks, and some erosion cuts that demand careful tire placement. It's not extreme, but complacency on the loose surface or in wet conditions is how people end up on their door handles.
There's no cell service out there — how far is the nearest fuel from the trailhead?
Destruction Bay has fuel and is roughly 10 miles north on the Alaska Highway — fill up there before dropping onto the trail. The nearest reliable services beyond that are in Haines Junction, about 70 miles southeast, so don't start this run on a half tank.
Trail track
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