What is the Dempster Highway?

Cruising through the wild Canadian Arctic, the Dempster Highway is your ticket to crossing the Arctic Circle in any season.

What's the Dempster Highway? It's a road trip you won't soon forget – stunning, a little wild, and maybe a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. If escaping the crowds is your thing, this is your road.

Where does it run? Starting east of Dawson City in the Yukon and winding up in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, on the Mackenzie River delta, it covers 736 km (457 mi). And the adventure doesn't stop there! As of late 2017, you can tack on another 147 km (91 miles) on NWT Highway 10 to Tuktoyaktuk – the "first all-weather road to Canada's Arctic Coast," taking you from Inuvik, through the tundra, and right to the Arctic Ocean. Note that seasonal ferry service and ice bridges are necessary to cross the Peel and Mackenzie Rivers.

What's the road like? This isn't your average highway. Known as Yukon Highway 5 and Northwest Territories Highway 8, it's a well-kept gravel and crushed stone road. Conditions can be unpredictable as you carve your way through the Ogilvie and Richardson Mountains, cross the Continental Divide three times, and venture into the Arctic Circle, tracing old dog-sled routes. Expect dust in the summer, and make sure you're in a vehicle with good clearance and a spare tire.

When did they build it? Construction started way back in 1959, wrapping up in 1978, and it officially opened in 1979. It follows a path used by Indigenous people for millennia and is named after Inspector William John Duncan Dempster.

Is it safe? A great trip requires some planning. Pack those spare tires, do some basic vehicle checks, and bring jackets, water, and an emergency kit. Check road conditions in Dawson City or at the Klondike River Lodge before you head out. Services are sparse: you'll find gas, diesel, and repairs at Eagle Plains, Ft. McPherson, and Inuvik. Give those big trucks plenty of space, especially when it's dusty.

Drive smart, stick to the 90 km/hour speed limit when you can, and be prepared for limited facilities. A full-size spare tire, extra water, and gas are a must.

Traffic is light, so come prepared. In winter, add a shovel, sleeping bag, stove, matches, emergency snacks, and cold-weather gear. A satellite phone is a good idea since cell service can be spotty.

When is it open? This mountain road peaks at North Fork Pass Summit, 1.328m (4,356ft) above sea level. The road is generally open from June 10 to October 14 in the summer, and December 15 to April 30 in the winter.

How long does it take? You'll need at least two days for this adventure. Plan on 12 to 16 hours each way, depending on road conditions and how often you stop to soak it all in.

When is the best time to go? This is an out-of-this-world experience. For summer vibes, aim for late June to early August, when you can enjoy 24-hour sunlight. For an autumn adventure, early August to early September is your window.

Get ready to explore one of northern Canada's best-kept secrets: incredible scenery, vast open spaces, and untouched beauty.

This remote route takes you through the Yukon, the rugged Ogilvie and Richardson Mountains, stunted spruce and alder "forests" in the Eagle Plains region, high tundra, and the Mackenzie River delta.