Alberta to Alaska Highway Route
Whitehorse, Yukon
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Whitehorse boasts all the service amenities of a big city yet maintains an endearing small-town personality. Here you will find a capital city with character, color and history. Fuel up with a latte and a delicious breakfast from one of Whitehorse’s numerous quaint cafes and then start exploring, from wildlife viewing to an afternoon of biking or rafting.
Haines Junction, Yukon
Nestled at the edge of Kluane National Park, Haines Junction is a popular starting point for glacier flightseeing, hiking, canoeing and river rafting. With its amazing scenery, wide range of services and locally operated tours, there is plenty to enjoy. Kluane National Park is one of the world’s largest internationally protected areas and home to grizzly bears, moose, wolves, Dall sheep and mountain goats. It is also where you’ll find Canada’s highest mountain peak – Mount Logan. It’s a walk into nature that should not be missed.
Tok, Alaska
Departing Haines Junction will take you onto the Kluane Parkway and to Tok, Alaska. You will find yourself overwhelmed with the splendor of the vistas on the Kluane, making your way along the stunning St. Elias mountain range. Tok is known as the "Dog Capital of Alaska," as it has a heavy influx of both breeders and mushers. The pioneer spirit is evident everywhere you look here, from the friendly faces of the residents to the down-home cooking at area restaurants. Be sure to visit the Tok Chamber of Commerce "Main Street Alaska" Visitor Center and the Tok Public Lands Information Center for museum displays and trip-planning information. Then fuel up on food and gas, and you will be set to continue your drive within Alaska.
SIDE TRIPS
You may wish to detour a bit from the fastest route to Alaska to savor some of Alberta's amazing scenery as you make your way north. We'd like to offer a few side trip ideas that will enhance your journey and add to the enjoyment:
Grande Prairie to Indian Cabins
Alberta's northernmost community is that of Indian Cabins. From Grande Prairie, take a short trip up the highway and explore this community that is rich in Native history. The cabins that originally gave the town its name are now gone, but there is a traditional Native cemetery with spirit houses covering the graves. Visit the border’s 60th Parallel Visitors Centre, where first-timers are given a North of 60 Certificate. The Visitors Centre will also provide information on other side trips to Great Slave Lake, Fort Smith, or Wood Buffalo National Park.
Crowsnest Trail
From hoodoos, to Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park, to the World Heritage site Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo Jump, Crowsnest Highway 3 is the oldest inter-provincial highway in Alberta. The Crowsnest Trail follows historic roadways and features numerous heritage sites. Take a 45-minute drive southeast of Medicine Hat for a visit to the Cypress Hills. Rising from the surrounding prairie, the hills are one of the few areas in western Canada unaltered by the last glacial period. The area boasts 14 varieties of orchids and more than 200 species of birds as well as wild turkey, moose and deer.
