Road trip no. 3: Eastbound Undiscovered

Transportation

• Whitehorse to Johnson’s Crossing: 128 kilometres (1 hour and 30 minutes)
• Johnson’s Crossing to Ross River: 535 kilometres (7 hours)
• Ross River to Watson Lake: 370 kilometres (5 hours and 15 minutes)
• Watson Lake to Whitehorse: 440 kilometres (5 hours and 15 minutes)

Drive times are estimates. Road conditions may vary.

Campgrounds

Simpson Lake

In a territory with a lot of camping options, this is 1 of the best for quiet relaxation, renewal and recreation.

Frances Lake

A popular destination for anglers, this campground has a sizable lake with several rivers and creeks feeding into it.

Watson Lake

If you’re looking for the perfect family-friendly campground, this is it. And, there’s the added bonus of being close to the town’s natural and cultural facilities.

See Road trip no. 2 for descriptions of Quiet Lake and Lapie Canyon.

Hiking

1. Rancheria Falls Recreation Site offers an easy 10-minute boardwalk through boreal forest to a picturesque waterfall on Rancheria River – 1-kilometre return.

2. South Canol Road offers endless routes for the experienced hiker, especially the northern end.

3. Liard Canyon Recreation Site is an easy forested trail to historic Liard Canyon – 4.4-kilometre return.

Flora and fauna

4. Albert Creek Bird Observatory is a must-have experience for birders in the North. It’s open from mid-April to early June.

5. Tom Creek Wetland is the scenic home to many songbirds and can be found at the end of an 24-metre-long gravel road on the Robert Campbell Highway's east side.

6. Deadman Creek on the east side of the Alaska Highway is a great place to watch for thinhorn sheep.

7. Target Lake can be accessed from a large pullout and a 30-metre walk down to the water’s edge.

Driving routes

• Short route
  • 3 to 4 days
  • 1,040 kilometres
  • Simpson Lake, Frances Lake, Watson Lake
• Long route
  • 5 to 7 days
  • 1,475 kilometres
  • Short route plus Quiet Lake and Lapie Canyon

While a favourite driving route for many, the South Canol is still not as heavily travelled as other Yukon roads. This means your chances of spotting wildlife are greater. The road follows ridges – often above treeline – providing breathtaking views, and crosses many streams and rivers that are good for paddling, fishing or simply breaking for coffee to take it all in. Be prepared for slow going and mud on this narrow, windy, gravel road.