Yukon Territory

Campbell Highway, Carmacks to Watson Lake
Yukon Territory

We drove the whole Campbell Highway in 1996 and 2008, and portions of it in 2007 and 2010.

There are very limited services along the Campbell Highway.  Be prepared to take care of yourself if you choose to drive this route.

In 2010, the only available fuel was in Ross River and on occasion they run out of fuel, which can mean waiting days for a delivery truck.

In 2011, I understand Faro has a credit card only and self-serve fuel facility.

There was also extensive construction underway in 2008 between Watson Lake and Frances Lake.  This construction continued in 2010, although I understand the highway was not so bad in 2010.

At Watson Lake, near the sign forest, the Campbell Highway heads north to
Ross River, Faro and Carmacks.

Watson Lake Sign Forest in Watson Lake, Yukon
The sign forest in Watson Lake - September 1993

At km 81 (mile 50), the Simpson Lake Yukon Gov't campground is a pleasant stop.

Simpson Lake, Yukon
View of Simpson Lake from Yukon gov't territorial campground - Sept 2007

Simpson Lake, Yukon
Canoeing at dusk on Simpson Lake - Sept 2007

The Nahanni Range Road heads east from the Campbell Highway at km 108
(mile 67).  Conditions on the Nahanni Range Road vary year-to-year and if you plan
driving this route, check at the Watson Lake visitors centre for up-to-date info.

Start of Nahanni Range Road, Yukon
The start of the Nahanni Range Road, accessed from the Campbell Highway - Sept 2007

Campbell Highway & Nahanni Range Rd, Yukon
View northwest from the rest area at the start of the Nahanni Range Road - Sept 2007

In July 2008, the rest area above and the junction with the Nahanni Range Road
were unrecognizable due to the major re-construction of the Campbell Highway.


One of the construction zones on the Campbell Highway in July 2008

Construction on Campbell Highway, Yukon
It was difficult to find the way through at some of the construction zones  - July 2008

Frances Lake Yukon Gov't campground, 171 km (107 miles) north of Watson Lake is
a popular spot in the fall with fisherman and hunters.  It is also very popular with
mosquitoes and flies in the spring!

Frances Lake, Yukon
Frances Lake Yukon gov't territorial campground - September 2007

Frances Lake, Yukon
Campsite at Frances Lake - September 2007

Campbell Highway, Yukon
Northbound on the Campbell Hwy about 15 miles south of Ross River, looking southwest
towards the St Cyr Range - June 1996

Campbell Highway, Yukon
Looking northwest from the same location above - June 1996

Campbell Highway, Yukon
Southbound on Campbell Highway, south of Ross River - July 2008

Campbell Highway, Yukon
Southbound on the Campbell Highway, south of Ross River - July 2008

Flat tire on Campbell Highway, Yukon
This was the first of three flats on this trip in June 1996. 
We were northbound on the Campbell Hwy, just a few miles south of Ross River.

The South Canol Road intersects with the Campbell Highway a few miles south of
Ross River.

The only gas station along the Campbell Highway in 2008 was in Ross River, 370 km
(230 miles) from Watson Lake.  The gas station had run out of unleaded gasoline when we were there in 2008, but had diesel. It is wise to carry fuel with you, in case there is none available in Ross River.

Ross River, Yukon
Filling up with diesel at Ross River - July 2008

There are no commercial campgrounds in Ross River.  There is the Lapie Canyon Yukon government campground just a few miles north of Ross River on the Campbell Highway.  We have had an enjoyable stay there several times.

South Canol Rd junction, Yukon
Sign on the Campbell Highway at the Ross River junction - September 2009

At km 414 is the turn-off to the town of Faro.  

Sign indicating turn to Faro on the Campbell Highway, Yukon
Turn off to Faro westbound - note the gravel road changes to pavement - August 2010

About 400 people continue to reside in Faro.  The town is well-maintained and
provides some services to travelers. 

Faro operates a pleasant municipal campground, the only "commercial" facility along the highway.  In 2011 a credit-card-only gas pump opened in Faro to replace the gas station that burned to the ground years before.

The town of Faro sign on Campbell Highway, Yukon
Faro is Yukon's Best Kept Secret - July 2008

The Faro mine began production in 1969 and was Canada's largest lead-zinc mine.  After several openings and closings, the mine closed a final time in 1997.  The site is now undergoing reclamation, with a total estimated cost of  between $500 million and $1 billion during the next few decades.

The abandoned mine includes three large open pits, a massive tailings area, and
several waste rock dump sites. Experts say that water treatment will be required for
at least 500 years. The Faro mine began production in 1969, and was the sweetheart
of the Yukon economy through the 1970s as Canada’s largest lead-zinc mine. The
first in a series of closures came in 1982 amid an economic recession.

Sludge at the Anvil mine near Faro, Yukon
The "environmental disaster" - sludge from the Anvil Mine - July 2008

Anvil mine road near Faro, Yukon
At first glance, a scenic view near the Anvil Mine. 
Closer look reveals the tailings/rock pile left over from the Anvil Mine - July 2008

Anvil mine road near Faro, Yukon
Road descending from the now closed Anvil Mine, north of Faro - July 2008

Back on the Campbell Highway, driving north towards Carmacks we were both glad to encounter the paved highway again!


Red fox on Campell Highway, Yukon
Red Fox on the Campbell Highway near Little Salmon Lake - July 2008

Little Salmon Lake, Campbell Highway, Yukon
Little Salmon Lake from the Campbell Highway - July 2008


Little Salmon Lake from the Yukon gov't campground - July 2008

Campsite at Little Salmon Lake on the Campbell Highway in Yukon
Waterside campsite at Little Salmon Lake Yukon gov't campground - August 2010

Little Salmon Lake on Campbell Highway in Yukon
A wild & stormy evening seen from the Little Salmon Lake Yukon gov't campground - August 2010

Campbell Highway in Yukon
Headed northwest on the Campbell Highway on the way to Carmacks- August 2010

There is a turn-off to Frenchman Lake at about km 543.  Along the Frenchman-Tatchun Lake Road there are three Yukon gov't campgrounds.  The gravel road is 46 km long and exits on the Klondike Highway. 

At km 555 is a sign marking the location of the "Columbian Disaster".  According to the September 26, 1906 edition of the Dawson Daily News, "The explosion blew out the sides of the vessel, scattered men and cargo in the water, and in less than five minutes had involved the whole inside of the ship in a mass of seething flame."

Columbian Disaster, Campbell Highway, Yukon
Sign of interest along the Yukon River and Campbell Highway - June 1996

Campbell Highway, Yukon
Eastward view of the river from the site pictured above - July 2011

Campbell Highway, Yukon
Westward view from the same viewpoint, above the Columbian Disaster - July 2011

The Campbell Highway ends at km 582 (362 miles), near the village of Carmacks, on the Klondike Highway.