Road trip no. 2: Central Undiscovered

Drive a grand loop through unbelievable wilderness, or head north and back again. Whatever you decide, rest assured, these roads all lead to adventure.

Map of Central Undiscovered road trip

Transportation

  • Whitehorse to Carmacks: 177 kilometres (2 hours and 15 minutes)
  • Carmacks to Ross River: 233 kilometres (3 hours and 30 minutes)
  • Ross River to Johnson’s Crossing: 535 kilometres (7 hours)
  • Johnson’s Crossing to Whitehorse: 128 kilometres (1 hour and 30 minutes)

Drive times are estimates. Road conditions may vary.

Campgrounds

Tatchun Lake

Explore small bays, islands, intriguing shorelines and lively fishing.

Little Salmon Lake

Settle into this small campground that offers big views of an even bigger lake.

Nunatuk

Choose from forested or lakeside sites in this picture-perfect campground.

Drury Creek

Enjoy a peaceful camping experience with a couple sites right on the beach.

Lapie Canyon

This is a place you’ll want to camp at 1 day.

Quiet Lake

Quiet, yes, but so much more. Come and explore.

Hiking trails

1. Five Finger Rapids Recreation Site presents the Yukon’s longest staircase, ending on a platform above the rapids – 1.7-kilometres return.

2. Mount Mye is a great hiking zone, and the unpaved Blind Creek Road takes you to several viewing sites.

3. Van Gorder Falls Trail winds through forest at the edge of downtown Faro; look for Fannin Sheep – 1.5 kilometres.

4. Dena Cho Trail connects Faro and Ross River, with an option to canoe the Pelly River back to Faro – 51 kilometres.

Flora and fauna

5. Nordenskiold Habitat Protection Area – picturesque wetlands part of Nordenskiold River – can be seen from kilometre 320 along the west side of the North Klondike Highway to Carmacks.

6. Excellent wildlife viewing opportunities abound in the Faro area. Pick up a copy of the Birder’s Checklist of the Faro and Ross River Region.

Culture

7. Tagé Cho Hudän Interpretive Centre in Carmacks provides guided tours and is home to the world’s only mammoth snare diorama.

Driving routes

  • Short route
    • 2 to 3 days
    • 530 kilometres
    • Tatchun Lake, Nunatuk, Little Salmon Lake
  • Long route
    • 4 to 6 days
    • 1,100 kilometres
    • Short route plus Drury Creek, Lapie Canyon, Quiet Lake

Spotlight: biking on the side

Biking between campgrounds

A gravel road connecting Frenchman Lake, Nunatuk and Tatchun Lake campgrounds makes for a great biking excursion. Ride the shorter 14-kilometre return between Frenchman and Nunatuk or the more challenging 36-kilometre return between Nunatuk and Tatchun. Make it a multi-day trip and experience undiscovered gems at each of the 4 campgrounds along the way.