Blackstone Uplands Road — Dempster Highway to Blackstone River Canyon
Tundra, limestone canyons, and zero other rigs.
Around kilometre 70 of the Dempster Highway, before the road commits to Engineer Creek, a rough two-track branches east toward the Blackstone River drainage. This route climbs quickly out of the boreal and onto open tundra uplands where the horizon stretches in every direction and the Ogilvie Mountains loom to the north. The Blackstone River canyon itself — a tight, grey-walled slot carved through Devonian limestone — is the payoff, accessible via a rocky descent that demands careful line selection. In late August and early September the tundra turns every shade of red, orange, and gold simultaneously; it’s one of the most vivid overland experiences in Canada.
The track is rutted and soft in places — this is subarctic tundra and it does not recover from abuse, so stick to established lines and don’t drive it wet if you can help it. A high-clearance 4WD handles most of it in dry conditions; lockers help on the canyon descent. No permit is required. Fuel at Dawson City or the Dempster Corner junction before heading out — there’s nothing until Eagle Plains, 250-plus kilometres north. Satellite communication is mandatory this far from help. Best window is mid-July through mid-September; the road can be impassable with early-season snowpack into late June.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 28 mi / 45.1 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4400 ft |
| Best season | Mid-July to mid-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Dawson City, Yukon |
| Land manager | Yukon Department of Highways and Public Works / Tombstone Territorial Park (adjacent) |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| 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 | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle Blackstone Uplands Road?
Yes, a stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner can run this trail. Aired-down tires help on the soft tundra sections, and a skid plate is worth having given the rocky approach to the canyon.
When is Blackstone Uplands Road actually passable?
Mid-July through mid-September is your window. Before that, the tundra is saturated from snowmelt and will swallow you. After mid-September, early snow can return fast at elevation and the track turns unpredictable.
Do you need a permit to drive or camp on Blackstone Uplands Road?
No permit is required for the road itself, which falls under Yukon Department of Highways and Public Works jurisdiction. Dispersed camping is permitted, but stay aware of your proximity to Tombstone Territorial Park boundaries — different rules apply inside the park.
What's the hardest section and what makes it technical?
The approach into Blackstone River Canyon is the crux — loose limestone rubble, off-camber sidehills, and no bailout lines if you read it wrong. It's not extreme, but it punishes inattention and underinflated tires more than anything on the upper tundra benches.
How far is the nearest gas from the trailhead, and is there any water on route?
Fuel up in Dawson City before heading out — it's roughly 70km to the Dempster turnoff and there's nothing out there. Water crossings exist on the route, but treat everything before drinking; carry at least a day's supply since you have zero cell service and zero other rigs to flag down if things go sideways.
Trail track
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