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Dawson Creek, BC to Delta, Alaska

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Campbell Hwy
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South Canol Road
Top of the World Hwy
Kluane Lake area
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RV TOURING TRIPS Vancouver Island to Yukon & Alaska
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YUKON SIGHTS
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South Canol Road, Alaska Highway to Campbell Hwy

The South Canol meanders 220 km (143 miles) from Johnson's Crossing (Alaska Hwy) to Ross River (Campbell Hwy). There are no services available . There are two semi-maintained territorial campgrounds and several recreation sites.
There are more pictures on the pages of our trips in 2007, 2008 and 2010.

For additional information about the South Canol Road (external links):

• South Canol Road  (pdf), an informative leaflet by the Yukon government
• Canol Road, Wikipedia
• Topographic Map (pdf - 850Kb)

There is a gas station at Johnsons Crossing, km 1296 AK Hwy, usually open. If it isn't, Teslin is the nearest gas station.

Early in the season the road may be closed due to snow - August 2010

Within a few hundred metres into the South Canol there is an interesting rest area. 
There are signs with historical info and also some old vehicles scattered about.

South Canol rest area with historical information - August 2010

These info signs at the start of the South Canol in August 2010

Indeed, there are no services until Ross River. Carry extra fuel if needed for your vehicle.

Northbound from the south end of the South Canol Road at km 13 - September 2007

The road is usually good gravel and varies from 1 to 2 lanes wide.

About km 14 northbound on the South Canol Road - August 2010

Initially the scenery is soothing. In the fall the colours add emphasis to the sights.

Meadow Creek alongside the South Canol - August 2010

Meadow Creek on the east side of the South Canol Road at km 14 - September 2007

The landscape is expansive.

View from top of hill near km 29 on the South Canol Road, northbound - September 2007

The bridges are usually single-lane with wood decks and usually in good condition.
Keep your eyes open for protruding nails or broken planks though.

Evelyn Creek at km 43 - August 2010

Near km 50 there is a turn-off to the right leading down to Sidney Lake. It was a tight turn around for our fifth wheel, but do-able. It is a popular spot, so expect others to pull in too.

View of Sidney Lake alongside the South Canol Road - August 2010

There are few signs along the road.  And there are numerous places to pull off and relax. 

Lunch stop at km 50, high above Sidney Lake - September 2007

Quiet Lake Yukon Government campground (km 76) was quiet in 2007 during the week.
In 2010, it was busy on the weekend.

Sign marking the entrance to the Quiet Lake campground on South Canol Road - August 2010

The campsites did not have a view of the lake. In 2007 we camped at the boat launch as the campground was vacant and it was mid-week.  In 2010 the campground was busy and the boat launch well-used as it was a weekend.

Quiet Lake boat launch and impromptu campsite - September 2007

Quiet Lake is large and can get quite choppy when the wind speeds up.

Looking north from the campground, with the boat launch on the right - August 2010

The campground likely gets more use in winter than in summer. 
The picnic shelter had an interesting sign posted on it.

Sign on the picnic shelter at Quiet Lake campground - August 2010

Quiet Lake is 28-km long and the largest of three lakes that form the headwaters of the Big Salmon River system.  At the Quiet Lake campground there is a boat launch.

Boat launch at Quiet Lake campground - September 2007

Looking southward from the Quiet Lake campground boat launch - August 2010

Northward view of Quiet Lake with the concrete boat launch on the right - August 2010

The Canol Road follows the east shore of Quiet Lake for numerous miles northbound.
There is a lovely viewpoint of the lake at about km 90, with this info sign.

Info sign about Quiet Lake on the South Canol Road - August 2010

The campground/recreation site near km 98 at the north end of Quiet Lake has lakeside camping for smaller RVs.  Our 43' long RV (truck and fifth wheel) would have fit into a couple of the spots but not many.  The site is also exposed to the wind so would be chilly on windy, overcast days.

The Quiet Lake Maintenance Camp is just around the corner from the recreation site.  There are some historical vehicles here too.

Will it tow a fifth wheel? - August 2010.

Old highway maintenance equipment at the Quiet Lake maintenance yard - August 2010

In 2008 the bridge pictured below had washed out.  That year we drove from Ross River to the bridge, just for something to do, and then drove out again towards Ross River. 

Rose River bridge on the South Canol - August 2010

It would be possible to camp overnight at this river crossing.

Northbound on the South Canol Road north of Quiet Lake - August 2010

The Rose River meanders back and forth. Find a good spot for grayling fishing!

Rose River meandering beside our campsite on the South Canol Road

The north half of the South Canol is a favorite drive of mine.

km 139 on the South Canol Road in Yukon - August 2010

We stopped at Rose River #5 to take a look at the side roads.

The Rose River crosses the South Canol in many places.  This is crossing #5 - August 2010

It would have been possible to camp at Rose River #5 crossing.

Upper Sheep Creek at km 152 looking to the east - August 2010

The valley with the Lapie Lakes and Rose Lake is lovely on a clear day!

km 153 northbound on the South Canol - August 2010

At km 156 there is a side road leading eastward to Rose Lake. A few hundred metres in there was a large open area with camp spots and some picnic tables. The truck and fifth wheel could get to this spot but it wasn't lakeside and didn't have lake views.

Rather than drive, we decided to continue down the road on foot. Good thing! It was very rough, narrow and steep.  The rough road led to the lakeshore and a couple of open campsites with lake access. I wouldn't recommend trying it unless you're in a 4x4.

Rose Lake - look closely to see the kayakers on the left side of the image - August 2010

Back on the South Canol Road the view south from the Rose Lake turnoff is lovely.

Looking towards the south from our stop at Rose Lake - km 156 on the South Canol - August 2010

Continuing northbound, the Lapie Lake recreation site is just a few miles north.

Looking southward at the Lapie Lakes on the South Canol - August 2010

Lapie Lake recreation site at km 163 on the South Canol Road is a good spot for camping. 
It is usually quiet. There are two campsites and a soggy dirt boat launch.

One of the campsites at the Lapie Lake recreation site - August 2010

The other campsite at the Lapie Lake recreation site - August 2010

Looking northward on Lapie Lake from the recreation site and boat launch - August 2010

The South Canol Road continues northbound as a two-lane dirt road.
It is usually in reasonably good condition although can be slick if it is wet.

Northbound on the South Canol Road - July 2008

The colours vary greatly with the seasons. Next image is the same hillsides above in September. 

Fall colours were abundant on the valley floor - September 2007

Northbound on the South Canol Road - September 2007

In the valley before climbing the hillside northbound - September 2007

There are some steep steady climbs from valley bottom to ridges high above. 
Along one hillside, there were a few places where two vehicles could pass. We debated what would happen if we encountered another vehicle coming from the other direction.

One of the pull-off areas northbound above the Lapie River - August 2010

View southward along the South Canol Road above the Lapie River valley - August 2010

Lapie River viewed from the South Canol Road - July 2008

There were some very narrow spots along this section without room for passing. 
There was not any traffic so we were able to stop to take pictures.

Lapie River and valley from the South Canol Road - September 2007

The road descends quickly to the Lapie River bridge. 

Lapie River bridge (km 210) at the north end of the South Canol Road - August 2010

Sign at the Lapie River bridge - September 2007

There is a short trail along Lapie Canyon that starts on the southwest side of the bridge. It can take a few minutes to find trailhead. It was worth the search.

Lapie Canyon & bridge from the hiking trail - September 2007 

Lapie Canyon further down the trail, with the bridge still visible in the distance - September 2007

Travellers see this sign at the north end of the South Canol Road, on the Campbell Highway. 
Most need to turn left to fuel up in Ross River.

Sign at the Campbell Highway at the north end of the South Canol Road - August 2010

The Lapie River Yukon gov't campground on the Campbell Highway across the bridge and along the river west of the turnoff to Ross River is a good spot to stay. There is also a nice community campground with electric and water in Faro.

 

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