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Connects: Klondike Highway to Inuvik, NWT
Route#: Yukon Highway 5, NWT Highway 8
Length: 456 miles
Road Surface: Gravel
Season: Open all year
Highest Pass: North Fork Pass Summit, elev. 4,229 feet/1,289m
Map (1 detailed pdf file available):
Klondike Highway Junction to Inuvik, Northwest Territories
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The Dempster Highway begins about 25 miles/40 km east of Dawson City, YT, at its junction with the Klondike Highway, and ends at Inuvik, NWT. Facilities are few and far between on the Dempster. It is strongly recommended that motorists carry 2 spare tires while traveling the Dempster.
Construction of the Dempster Highway began in 1959 and was finally completed in 1978, although it did not officially open until Discovery Day weekend in 1979. It was named for Inspector William John Duncan Dempster of the RCMP.
Road conditions range from fair to excellent. There are stretches of rough road and sections with clay surfacing that can be slippery in wet weather.
Free ferries transport motorists across the Peel River and the Mackenzie River. Crossing is by ice bridge in winter (closed during freeze–up and break–up).
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The MILEPOST® Quick Reference Log
Miles from Klondike Highway 2 junction (J) shown.
- J 0 Dempster Corner, junction with Kondike Highway 2. Klondike River Lodge; food, gas, diesel, lodging, camping.
- J 44.4 Yukon government Tombstone Mountain Campground.
- J 121.7 Yukon government Engineer Creek Campground.
- J 229.3 Milepost 231. EAGLE PLAINS (pop. 8). Eagle Plains Hotel (email); food, gas, diesel, lodging, camping.
- J 277 Yukon government Rock River Campground.
- J 288.9 YT-NWT Border.
- J 335.9 Nitainlaii Territorial Territorial Park campground. Northwest Territories Parks.
- J 334.9 Peel River ferry crossing.
- J 341.8 FORT McPHERSON (pop. 791); food, gas, diesel lodging.
- J 377.9 Mackenzie River ferry crossing.
- J 430.6 Vadzaih Van Tshik Campground.
- J 443 Ehjuu Njik Wayside Park.
- J 454 Jak Territorial Park Campground
- J 456.3 INUVIK (pop. 3,484); all services. Arctic Chalet and Arctic Adventure Tours; Town of Inuvik; Up North Tours.
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