Coal River Springs Road — Liard Highway to Coal River Thermal Springs
Travertine terraces hiding in the Liard bush.
Most Yukon-bound rigs barrel up the Alaska Highway without knowing that fifteen minutes east of the Yukon-BC border, a rough side road off the Liard Highway drops toward a travertine spring system that looks transplanted from Yellowstone. The Coal River Springs Territorial Park protects terraced calcium carbonate mounds built up over thousands of years by mineral-heavy water — the structures are fragile and genuinely strange. The access road branches south off the Liard Highway near kilometre 80, and the last few kilometres are soft dirt prone to serious rutting after rain. There are no facilities, no signage to speak of, and the river canyon adds a moody backdrop that feels deliberately theatrical.
Ground clearance is essential — the road is narrow, overgrown in sections, and can develop axle-deep ruts after a rainfall. A capable stock 4WD will manage in dry conditions; wet conditions demand lockers or very careful tire placement. This is a great shoulder-season destination since the springs flow year-round, though the access road is impassable under winter snow. Cell service is non-existent. Fuel up in Watson Lake before heading north — it’s the only reliable option within range. The reward is a Yukon park that almost nobody visits, thermal terraces you can walk right up to, and a canyon view that earns the mud on your rocker panels.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 9 mi / 14.5 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2200 ft |
| Best season | June–September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Watson Lake, Yukon |
| Land manager | Yukon Parks - Coal River Springs Territorial Park |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | yukon.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 do I need a lifted rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner can manage it, but you'll want genuine off-road tires and not be shy about using 4-low. Lifted rigs will have an easier time on the rougher washout sections closer to the springs.
When is Coal River Springs Road actually passable — and is there a mud season to avoid?
June through September is the reliable window. Spring breakup (April–May) turns the dirt and gravel surface into a bog, and early snowfall can close it by October — conditions out here change fast and there's no crew maintaining it for you.
Do I need a permit or is there a fee to visit Coal River Springs Territorial Park?
No permit or entry fee is required to visit Coal River Springs Territorial Park as of current Yukon Parks policy. Check yukon.ca before you go since remote park regulations can quietly change.
What's the hardest section on this trail and what should I actually expect?
The roughest stretch is the final few kilometers approaching the springs, where rutting, soft ground, and low-hanging brush tighten up the track. Nothing technically extreme, but it's slow going and a recovery situation here means a long wait — there's almost no traffic on this road.
How far is the nearest gas from the trailhead, and is dispersed camping allowed along the route?
Watson Lake is roughly 170 km south on the Alaska Highway — fill up there, because the Liard Highway has no fuel stops near this trailhead. Dispersed camping is permitted within the park; the flat areas near the springs are the obvious choice, but pack out everything since there are zero facilities.
Trail track
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