Dempster Highway South — Klondike Divide to Eagle Plains via the Ogilvie Mountains
Tundra, shale, and zero cell bars north.
The Dempster starts at a gravel junction off the Klondike Highway just east of Dawson City and doesn’t apologize for a single mile of what follows. The southern leg from the start to Eagle Plains Roadhouse crosses the Continental Divide twice, winds through the dramatic Ogilvie Mountains, and delivers the kind of big-sky tundra panorama that makes grown overlanders go quiet in the cab. Watch for Dall sheep on the ridge faces above Engineer Creek and grizzlies on the open tundra benches near the North Fork Dempster. The road surface is gravel and clay — it turns into axle-deep gumbo when wet, and sharp shale edges eat tires with enthusiasm. Carry two full-size spares minimum.
This is a Moderate-to-Difficult overland route in dry conditions but punishing in rain — plan for both. Any capable high-clearance 4×4 or well-prepped AWD truck camper can run it in good conditions, but tire choice matters enormously. Eagle Plains is the only fuel between Dawson City and Inuvik — fill up. No cell service for the entire route. Best season is June through early September; the road is open in winter but demands serious cold-weather preparation. Permits are not required. The payoff is one of North America’s most remote and visually staggering overland corridors.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 229 mi / 368.5 km |
| Duration | 2-4 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4265 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4x4 or AWD with dual spare tires |
| Nearest town | Dawson City, Yukon |
| Land manager | Yukon Government — Highways and Public Works |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | gov.yk.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
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle the Dempster Highway South section?
Yes, but you need a high-clearance 4x4 or capable AWD and — non-negotiable — two full-size spare tires. The shale surface eats tires, and a single flat 100 miles from anywhere is a trip-ender without a backup.
When is this section of the Dempster actually drivable?
June through September is your window. Spring breakup turns the surface to slop, and early snow can hit the Ogilvie Mountains by late September. Check current road conditions with Yukon Highways before you roll — they update it regularly.
Do I need a permit or pass to drive the Dempster Highway?
No permit required for the highway itself. The Dempster is a public road managed by Yukon Highways. If you're crossing into Northwest Territories further north, different rules apply, but this southern section is open access.
What's the hardest part of this route between the Klondike Divide and Eagle Plains?
The Ogilvie Mountain ridgelines throw the sharpest shale and the most exposure — loose surface, no guardrails, and big drop-offs on narrow sections when conditions are wet. It's not technically gnarly, but inattention or speed on wet shale will put you in a ditch fast.
Eagle Plains is the only fuel stop — what's the actual range I need to plan for?
It's roughly 230 miles from the Klondike River junction to Eagle Plains with nothing in between. Plan for at least that range plus a buffer — bring a jerry can. Eagle Plains has fuel, a lodge, and basic services, but confirm they're open before you leave Dawson City.
Trail track
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