Drury Creek Road — Faro to Anvil Range Placer Country
Dead-end mining road into Yukon's forgotten range.
Faro was built to serve the Anvil Mine — once one of the world’s largest open-pit lead-zinc operations — and when the mine closed for the last time in 1998, it left a town of 1,400 people with almost nobody in it. Drury Creek Road heads northeast out of Faro through the Campbell Range, following creek drainages that saw placer activity going back to the early 1900s. The road crosses Drury Creek twice in the first ten kilometres, both fords typically knee-deep in June and manageable by August. Old cut lines and exploration tracks branch off constantly — it’s easy to end up on a dead-end spur — so paper maps and a GPS track are not optional here.
Mid-summer is the sweet spot: creek levels drop, the endless boreal mosquito hatch thins slightly, and the grizzly bears are spread wide across the range rather than concentrated on spawning creeks. High clearance and 4WD are required; a locker helps on the creek crossings. Faro has basic fuel and limited supplies — top up and carry extra. This is genuine remote travel: no cell service, no emergency infrastructure, and wildlife that hasn’t been pressured much since the mine shut down. Come prepared to be entirely on your own.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 28 mi / 45.1 km |
| Duration | 2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4100 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Faro, Yukon |
| Land manager | Yukon Government / Energy, Mines and Resources |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| 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 run Drury Creek Road, or do I need a lifted rig?
Stock high-clearance 4WD trucks like a Tacoma or 4Runner can handle this trail, but you'll want at least 8–9 inches of clearance for the rougher creek sections and washed-out shelf road. A locker helps on the steeper, looser grades — don't push it in a bone-stock crossover.
When does Drury Creek Road actually open up and when should I be out?
July through September is your window. Spring breakup leaves the creek crossings dangerously high and the road a soft mess well into June. Snow can return in September, and the road is not maintained for winter travel — don't gamble on an October run.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp on Drury Creek Road?
No permit is required to drive the road or use dispersed campsites. The land falls under Yukon Government / Energy, Mines and Resources jurisdiction — follow standard Yukon backcountry fire regulations and leave-no-trace rules. Check with Yukon EMR before your trip if you're planning extended stays near active or historic claim areas.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what makes it technical?
The upper creek crossings approaching the old Anvil Range workings are the crux — water depth varies with recent rain and they have rocky, uneven bottoms that can catch a frame or rocker panel off-guard. The shelf road sections above the creek drainage are also narrow with loose shale and limited room to maneuver or turn around if you get into trouble.
Faro is tiny — how far out do I need to fuel up, and is there any resupply once I'm on the road?
Fill up in Faro before you leave — it's your last stop for fuel and there is zero resupply once you're on Drury Creek Road. Faro itself has limited services, so if you're coming from Watson Lake or Whitehorse, don't rely on finding fuel there without confirming the station is open first. Carry extra.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
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