Livingstone Creek Road — Whitehorse to Livingstone Gold Camp
Gold-rush mud and creek fords in the Big Salmon Range.
Livingstone Creek was producing placer gold before the Klondike rush hit, and the old mining road that threads south from Carmacks through the Big Salmon Range still carries the weight of that history. You’ll leave pavement at Carmacks and follow a deteriorating gravel track southeast toward the Livingstone Creek drainage, crossing multiple creek fords — some knee-deep on a high-water year — before reaching the remnants of the Livingstone Creek gold camp. The road surface alternates between hard-packed gravel and soft, silty mud that’ll swallow a truck to the axles after rain. Expect downed timber across the track in the upper sections and near-zero signage once you’re past the first 20 kilometres.
This is legitimate remote Yukon — no cell service, no services, no bail-out options without a long hike. You need a capable high-clearance 4WD with a snatch block, recovery boards, and a hi-lift jack minimum. A winch is strongly recommended. Best run late June through August when creek levels drop and the road dries enough to be manageable. Fuel up in Carmacks — there’s nothing else. Dispersed camping along the creek. The reward is genuine gold-rush backcountry with no crowds and some legitimate panning potential in the creek gravels.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 68 mi / 109.4 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4100 ft |
| Best season | Late June–August |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with recovery gear |
| Nearest town | Carmacks, Yukon |
| Land manager | Government of Yukon — 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 lifted Tacoma or stock 4Runner handle Livingstone Creek Road, or do I need something more serious?
A stock 4Runner will struggle — this trail has deep mud sections, creek fords, and rough mining road surfaces that demand genuine high-clearance 4WD and a locker or good all-terrain tires at minimum. A lifted Tacoma with proper recovery gear is more appropriate. Come with a hi-lift jack, tow straps, and a friend in a second rig.
When does Livingstone Creek Road actually become passable, and how late in the year can I run it?
Late June through August is your window. Spring snowmelt keeps the trail soft and the creek crossings dangerously high well into June. By September, early snowfall in the Big Salmon Range can close the upper sections without warning.
Do I need a permit or fee to drive this trail, and is there any access restriction near the gold camp?
No permit is required to drive the road, but the Livingstone Gold Camp area is active mining country managed by Government of Yukon — Energy, Mines and Resources. Respect any posted claim boundaries and don't prospect or disturb equipment without permission from the claim holder.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what should I actually expect?
The most punishing stretch is the upper creek corridor approaching the gold camp, where the trail narrows, side-slopes increase, and multiple ford crossings can run knee-deep or higher after rain. Mud here is thick clay — the kind that packs into wheel wells and kills traction fast. If it's rained in the last 48 hours, expect to work for every mile.
How far out do I need to fuel up before starting, and is there any cell service if something goes wrong?
Fuel up in Carmacks — it's your last reliable stop before heading into the backcountry, and there is zero cell service for the entire 68-mile route. A satellite communicator (inReach or SPOT) is not optional out here; it's your only lifeline if a crossing goes wrong or a rig goes down.
Trail track
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