Alaska Highway to Whitehorse a great summer adventure
(Director’s note: Summer is approaching and temperatures are rising. Head north. The Alaska Highway is sprinkled with interesting places to camp and explore. Guest blogger Karen Anthony gives thumbnail sketches of places of interest.)
Is the North calling? Then, it’s time to escape to the beautiful landscapes, wildlife, wilderness and history of Canada. Take the heritage Alaska Highway route to the Yukon’s capital, Whitehorse, where even the jaded souls can enjoy their time because of plenty of sightseeing and recreational opportunities.
You can start your journey from Edmonton, Alberta, in your motorhome. Some remote areas may have poor mobile networks. So it’s better to be prepared. Pack water and snacks. Keep some cash, too. Generally, June to August is preferred due to long, sunny days and soothing temperatures.
When do you plan to take this trip? No matter the time, opt for RV rental services to cover the 2,000-kilometer distance. You can drive straight to the destination without visiting other sightseeing sites to be there in two days, but pausing for short hikes and heritage places in between can be fun. Here are some locations you can consider touring on your Edmonton to Whitehorse excursion.
Dawson Creek (6 hours’ drive from Edmonton)
Driving through Highways 16 and 43, you will come across a city called Whitecourt in about two hours. This small place has heritage structures, hiking trails and much more. The next stop can be Grande Prairie, where you must check the modern Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum to learn about dinosaurs.
When you leave this place, covering 40 km, you reach Beaverlodge town to visit a 15-foot-tall statue perched on a 20-foot-long log. Gain insights about wild beavers. Continue your travel to Dawson Creek after this. You will enjoy the beautiful murals and ancient buildings here. Visit the Alaska Highway House and the NAR Station Museum, too.
Fort Nelson (5 hours’ drive from Dawson Creek)
Your experience of the Alcan or the Alaskan Highway starts from Dawson Creek. Each site will have a mile marker. For example, check the Historic Kiskatinaw River Bridge at Mile Marker 21. It’s a 534-foot bridge. On Mile Marker 159.2, you will encounter Sikanni Falls. Enjoy the scenic beauty and fresh air. Bears, moose, elk and goats can be visitors here.
As you traverse deeper, you will find Fort Nelson town on Mile Marker 283. You can spend the night in the campgrounds in your RV or tent. In your spare time, you can tour the Nelson Heritage Museum.
Watson Lake (6.5 hours’ drive from Fort Nelson)
Again, there is plenty to see and do here. It’s one of the finest places to spot wildlife like red foxes, grizzly bears, black bears, porcupines, bison, eagles and hawks. You can explore sites like Liard River Hotsprings Provincial Park, Contact Creek, Watson Lake, etc. You must see the Northern Lights Center in Watson Lake to watch the Aurora Borealis show.
Whitehorse (5 hours’ drive from Watson Lake)
This last point on the highway houses cultural museums, scenic stops, etc. You can keep your RV in the campground. On the way, check Rancheria Falls Recreation Site for hiking, Continental Divide mark, Teslin town, etc. In Whitehorse, you can spend two days or more enjoying a visit to the MacBride Museum and a boat or cruise tour in Miles Canyon.
There is a lot to see and do on this route. Plan your trip, hire a campervan and indulge in the joy of vacationing.