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Drive the Dempster highway

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The Dempster highway, the world's northernmost highway and one of the most spectacular routes in North America. The impressive Dempster includes a 740 kilometer and traverses along The Yukon and the northwestern part of the Northwest Territories. You drive through two rugged mountain ranges, pass the Continental Divide several times and in the end you reach the magical Arctic Circle. Looking for spectacular landscapes, vast plains and a place to get closer to nature? Then the Dempster Highway is one for the bucket list.

Traveling along the Dempster is a real adventure. Imagine a country with a huge amount of big  animals and a chance of seeing the largest herd of caribous (around 150.000) on the American continent. There is little traffic and you drive through valleys and mountain ridges with very few signs of civilization. The wilderness starts at the edge of the road.

There are beautiful campgrounds which are located near the Tombstone Mountains. If you like hiking, the Tombstone Mountain Trail is highly recommended. The mountains have jagged sharp edges here and it looks like a "The Lord of the Rings"  country. At the end of the unforgettable trip you will arrive in the Eskimo village of Inuvik, far above the Arctic Circle.

What is the best time to visit?

In summertime (July, August) the sun shines almost the entire day and in winter it is so cold that the ground is permanently frozen. In autumn the chances of seeing one of the largest herds of caribou in the world are bigger. So we recommend visiting from June until October.  For more climate details check the average weather in Dawson city.

This article was last updated on December 16, 2020.