Top of the World Highway — Dawson City to Chicken via the Poker Creek Border
Ridge-top gold-rush road to the Alaska border
You start by riding the free George Black Ferry across the Yukon River from Dawson City, still a gold-rush town of boardwalks and false fronts. Then Highway 9 climbs out of the valley and onto an alpine ridge where the trees give up and the view runs for a hundred miles in every direction. The road follows the crest to the Little Gold border post, the northernmost land crossing in the US highway system, and drops onto the Taylor Highway in Alaska. A stretch of gravel and old mining country leads to Chicken, where a roadhouse and a few buildings still trade on the town’s gold-rush history.
This is an Easy drive in a stock vehicle, but don’t mistake easy for gentle. The pavement ends, the gravel gets greasy in rain, and there are long drop-offs with no guardrail. Bring a spare and a full tank, as fuel is thin once you leave Dawson. Carry passports, since the border is open only in summer, roughly mid-May to mid-September, and only during posted hours. There are pullouts and BLM land for camping on the Alaska side, and cell service is mostly absent. You get a ridge-top drive that belongs on any northern bucket list. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 107 mi / 172 km |
| Duration | 5-7 hours |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4500 ft |
| Best season | Mid-May-mid-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 2WD or AWD, passport required |
| Nearest town | Dawson City, Yukon |
| Land manager | Yukon Highways and Public Works / Alaska DOT&PF / BLM Eastern Interior Field Office |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Yukon 511 road conditions Alaska 511 road conditions |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 2WD car or SUV drive the Top of the World Highway?
Yes. It's a maintained road of paved and gravel sections, and a stock 2WD or AWD vehicle handles it in dry weather. Expect washboard, frost heaves, soft shoulders, and long drop-offs with no guardrails, so clearance isn't an issue but tire condition and a full-size spare are.
Is the Top of the World Highway open in winter?
No. The Poker Creek border crossing closes for the season, usually mid-September to mid-May, and the road isn't maintained for through travel. The Dawson City river crossing also stops being a simple ferry ride during freeze-up and breakup. Check Yukon 511 and Alaska 511 before you commit.
What do I need to cross the border at Poker Creek?
A valid passport or other approved border document for everyone in the vehicle. The road itself has no permit or fee, and the Dawson City ferry across the Yukon River is free. The crossing is only open during limited summer hours, which run an hour apart on either side of the line, so confirm hours before you leave Dawson. Declare fresh produce, firearms, and bear spray as required.
What's the hardest part of the drive?
The Alaska side of the border, where the Taylor Highway narrows into gravel with steep drop-offs and sharp curves. After rain it gets slick and muddy, and oncoming trucks and RVs make passing tight. Take it slow, stay off the edges, and give wide loads room.
Where can I get gas, and is there cell service?
There's no cell service along the route, so download maps and tell someone your plan. Fill up in Dawson City before you leave. Chicken has limited seasonal fuel, and the next reliable option is Tok, a long way past it. Dispersed camping is available along the ridge and on BLM land on the Alaska side.
Trail track
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