CAMPBELL HIGHWAY

Ross River

Ross River village at the confluence of the Ross and Pelly Rivers

Ross River is a Kaska First Nation community of about 300 people at the junction of the Ross and Pelly Rivers, 60 km east of Faro on the Robert Campbell Highway. Historically it was a fur trade post and the terminus of the Canol Road (which continues north to the Northwest Territories, though the Yukon section beyond Ross River is a rough summer-only route best treated with caution).

Facilities are limited — a general store, a school, a health centre, one small motel. This is the kind of place where you go because you’re driving through, not because you set out for it. The setting at the river confluence is striking, and the Canol Trail (the old wartime road, now a challenging hiking route) starts here. For most visitors, an overnight or a fuel stop. For adventurers with a real 4x4 and self-sufficiency, the Canol north is legendary.

Where to stay

Ross River has essentially one small motel/lodge operation and a couple of cabin rentals that come and go. Expect $110-160. Availability is limited — call ahead. This is not somewhere you show up in July hoping for a room. Bring supplies; the general store carries basics but you’re paying remote-community prices. Winter service is limited but the community operates year-round.

Getting there

Drive from Whitehorse: 410 km via the Robert Campbell Highway. About 5.5 hours. From Faro 60 km, about 45 minutes. From Watson Lake it's 380 km northwest — a very long, gravel-heavy drive. No public transit. Fuel in Ross River is available but limited hours; top up wherever you can. The village itself is walkable. The Canol Road north from Ross River is not recommended for regular vehicles.

Frequently asked questions

Is Ross River accessible in winter?

Yes, the Robert Campbell Highway is plowed and Ross River operates year-round. However, services are thinner in winter and fuel hours may be shorter. Phone ahead and carry a full winter kit — this is remote driving where a breakdown at -35°C is genuinely dangerous.

Can I drive the Canol Road all the way to Norman Wells?

The Yukon section (Canol Road south of Ross River, Highway 6) is drivable in summer with a proper vehicle. The NWT section north of Ross River — the Canol Trail — is not a road anymore, it's a rugged hiking route across old bridges and washouts. Do not attempt to drive it.