Tay River Road — Ross River to Tay River Canyon Wilderness
Pelly Mountains. No crowd. No mercy.
The Tay River Road leaves Ross River heading northeast into the Pelly Mountains, following the Tay River drainage into country that sees maybe a handful of vehicles a summer. The road starts as maintained gravel before deteriorating into rutted two-track through spruce muskeg and across open alpine benches. The Tay River itself is a stunning piece of geology — limestone walls drop sheer into the canyon floor in the upper drainage, and the water runs glacially clear even through summer runoff. Moose are thick in the river flats, caribou occasionally push through on the ridges above, and the wolf population in this part of the Pelly Mountains is healthy and vocal. There’s no maintained road end — you push until the terrain says stop.
This is expert-level remote travel. High-clearance 4WD with lockers, mud-terrain tires, and full recovery gear is the baseline. The road crosses several unnamed tributaries of the Tay, and summer water levels make some of these crossings genuinely challenging. A winch is strongly recommended. Ross River is the last fuel stop — the tiny community has a gas pump but call ahead as supply trucks don’t always make it on schedule. No cell service exists past the Ross River town site. Best season is late July through August when tributary crossings are at their lowest. This is the kind of place you go when you want Yukon with absolutely no guardrails.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 41 mi / 66 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4900 ft |
| Best season | Late July to August |
| Minimum vehicle | Lifted 4WD with lockers and winch |
| Nearest town | Ross River, Yukon |
| Land manager | Yukon Government, Na-Cho Nyäk Dun First Nation |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a lifted 4Runner or Tacoma run this trail, or do I need a dedicated crawler?
A well-built lift with lockers front and rear is the minimum — a stock or mild lift won't cut it. The trail has deep rutted sections, loose shale climbs, and creek crossings that will punish anything without a winch and high clearance. Long-travel rock crawlers aren't required, but your rig needs to be trail-ready, not just Instagram-ready.
When does the trail become passable, and how late in the season can you run it?
Late July through August is the reliable window — snow lingers at elevation into July and early season melt turns the lower sections into a bog. September can work but expect early snowfall above 4,000 ft and significantly higher creek levels if there's been rain. Don't push outside that window without local intel from Ross River.
Do I need a permit to run this trail, and is there any fee or First Nation access requirement?
The route passes through Na-Cho Nyäk Dun First Nation traditional territory — check in at Ross River before heading out and confirm current access conditions and any band requirements. No formal permit system exists as of now, but respecting First Nation protocol isn't optional. Yukon Government manages the broader area and no additional park fee applies.
What's the hardest section, and what specifically makes it difficult?
The descent into Tay River Canyon is the crux — a steep, loose shale drop with limited recovery room and no easy bypass if something goes wrong. Spotters are not optional here. Factor in that by the time you hit the canyon, you're already 30+ miles from Ross River with no cell service and no one coming to help.
How far is it to the nearest fuel, and is there any reliable water source on trail?
Ross River is your last fuel stop — fill up completely before you leave, and carry a jerry can because 41 miles of technical terrain will burn more than you think. Creek crossings provide water sources along the route but filter everything; this is grizzly and livestock country. Plan on being fully self-sufficient for the full 2-3 days.
Trail track
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