Dezadeash River Road — Haines Junction to Dezadeash Lake South End
St. Elias giants, big lake, grizzly country.
Dezadeash Lake is a big, wind-hammered body of water sitting in the shadow of the St. Elias Mountains just south of Haines Junction. The road running its south shore starts as maintained gravel off the Haines Road and progressively narrows and deteriorates as it pushes toward the lake’s south end and the Dezadeash River outlet. About 15 km in, the maintained surface gives out and you’re onto a two-track that skirts the lakeshore through spruce stands, crosses two small drainages — one of which can run fast and rocky in early summer — and eventually reaches a remote camping area overlooking the water with the Kluane Range filling the skyline to the west. Bald eagles work the lake. Grizzly sign is common in the mud near the drainages.
This is an easy-to-moderate run in dry conditions that earns a difficult rating in wet weather when the clay sections go greasy and the drainage crossings swell. A stock 4WD handles it in summer; high clearance is essential. No permit required, but you’re operating adjacent to Kluane National Park Reserve boundaries — stay on established tracks. Fuel in Haines Junction before departure. Dezadeash Lake Campground is nearby for a formal site, but the remote south end offers dispersed camping with serious scenery and solitude.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 19 mi / 30 km |
| Duration | Full day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2050 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Haines Junction, YT |
| Land manager | Government of Yukon / Parks Canada |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| 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 4Runner or Land Cruiser handle this trail without any mods?
Yes. A stock high-clearance 4WD is the stated minimum and handles this trail fine under normal conditions. Stock trucks with a factory skid plate are well-suited — the surface is dirt and gravel with no technical rock obstacles.
When does this road typically open and close for the season?
June through September is the reliable window. Spring breakup can leave the track soft and rutted well into June, and early fall snowfall can close things down fast in the Yukon — don't push it past late September.
Do you need a permit to drive this road or camp along it?
No permit is required to drive the road. Dispersed camping is available, but if you're entering Kluane National Park proper, Parks Canada requires a backcountry permit — check the official Kluane park page before your trip.
What's the hardest part of the trail and what should I actually expect?
It's rated Easy, so nothing on this route should have you white-knuckling it. The water crossings are the main variable — depth and flow change with rain and snowmelt, so scout before you drive through and don't assume conditions match what someone else reported a week ago.
Is there any cell service or gas along the route, and how far is the nearest fuel?
Zero cell service on this trail — plan accordingly and let someone know your itinerary. Fill up in Haines Junction before you leave; there's no fuel on the route, and the nearest pump is back where you started.
Trail track
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