Keno Hill Mining Road — Keno City to Keno Hill Summit
Silver rush summit above Yukon's wildest mining town.
Keno City is one of those Yukon ghost towns that never fully died — a handful of residents keep it alive, the Keno City Mining Museum still operates, and the dirt streets still smell like silver-rush history. From here the road climbs hard up Keno Hill to a summit that sits above treeline fast, rewarding you with open tundra ridgeline and views that sweep across the Stewart River watershed toward the Ogilvie Mountains. The Keno Hill district produced silver, lead, and zinc for over a century beginning in 1919 — the Silver Trail you drove to get here from Mayo is named after it. The summit road is rocky, rutted in places, and steep enough on switchbacks that descent requires careful throttle management.
Most high-clearance pickups and capable SUVs can handle this route — it’s not extreme, but it’s not pavement either. Mud in early season makes the switchbacks slippery and the soft shoulders disappear. Best months are July and August when the summit road has dried. No permit required. Fuel in Mayo before heading up the Silver Trail — Keno City has no services. The summit is exposed and can go from clear to socked-in cloud in under an hour; pack layers. Short enough to do in half a day, but the alpine scenery and the weight of Keno’s mining history make it worth lingering.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 7 mi / 11.3 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5755 ft |
| Best season | July–August |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Keno City, YT |
| Land manager | Yukon Government / Alexco Resource Corp |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | yukon.ca |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle Keno Hill Mining Road, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD handles this fine. The road is rough dirt, gravel, and rock with some loose sections on the upper climb, but nothing that demands a lift or lockers — just engage 4WD low for the steeper pitches and watch your line on the exposed shelf sections.
When does Keno Hill Road typically open and close for the season?
July through August is the reliable window. Snow can linger at the 5,755-ft summit well into June and return by September, turning the upper road into a muddy mess or outright impassable. Don't push shoulder seasons without checking local conditions in Keno City first.
Do I need a permit to drive up to Keno Hill Summit?
No permit required for the drive itself. The area falls under Yukon Government and Alexco Resource Corp jurisdiction — stay on the designated road, respect any active mining infrastructure you encounter, and don't wander into restricted mine workings.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what should I actually expect?
The upper third of the climb is the crux — steep grade with loose rock, some embedded boulders, and narrow shelf road with limited turnaround options. It's not technically savage, but the exposure and sustained steepness will get your attention, especially on descent when loose gravel wants to push you wide.
Is there any cell service or emergency communication on Keno Hill Road, and how far is the nearest fuel?
Zero cell service — none in Keno City and none on the hill. Nearest fuel is in Mayo, roughly 55 km south on the Silver Trail (Yukon Highway 11), so top off before you head up the Silver Trail from Mayo. Carry a satellite communicator; this is genuinely remote Yukon backcountry.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.