Yukon and Northwest Territories

BTW I am looking at the previous posts, especially the stickies. So if anyone wants to add a comment to my questions above, that would be welcome addition to the good info here.

Hi - I am also planning an RV trip up to the Yukon this June and one of the things I found most helpful was the 2015 vacation planner put out by the Yukon government. It is full of all the events that will happen over the Yukon this year as well as all listed campgrounds, hotels, restaurants and activities, National parks, you would want info on. It comes in a nice magazine that you can take with you while you are traveling. Go to Travelyukon.com to get them to mail one out to you.

It also gives you info on the roads and road conditions throughout the Yukon.

Lynn

If you're on the prowl for local lore, the Yukon Quest http://yukonquest.com/ is on right now. Dog sled race 1000 mi/1600 km.

The photos in the album section are :B :B :B, or I'm drooling.

The contest itself reflects a lot of dedication to things outdoors. Mushers with over 40 dogs in their kennels. Present leaders are: one who's almost made it before and two former winners, including a possible for a 3-peat.

:C

You will love it forever and have no worries. Thousands upon thousands have made the trip already and paved the way with their adventures.

Be prepared to expect the unexpected, whether it's staying an extra night because you are having such a great time, or because of unexpected problems.

But just enjoy the ride, take your time and enjoy.

What are the highways/roads like? Rough?
Yes. Some are paved, some are not. Some are narrow, some are not. Some you can travel the speed limit, some you can't.

What are the campgrounds like? Large sites, level, rough? Expensive?
Commercial campgrounds vary greatly in the services offered and the quality of those services. Generally, expect a gravel parking lot with posts out of the ground with electric & water. Don't expect sewer at each site but expect a communal dump station. Commercial campgrounds tend to be $30-35 with electric/water.

Gov't campgrounds are usually very pleasant and more affordable. In Yukon, $12 per night with free firewood. No services though.
In BC, the gov't campgrounds are more expensive and firewood is extra $$.

I would assume these areas are the “road less traveled”.
Not so. The Alaska Highway in summer is a stream of RVs going north & south, as well as transport trucks moving goods while the weather is good. The Klondike Highway is also busy. The gravel roads tend to be less busy, such as the Campbell Highway.

What about bears?
In spring you might see some bears along the highways in Yukon, as they munch fresh greens after their winter nap. In Yukon, the bears tend to avoid the highway areas because spring and fall hunting is allowed along the highway. In BC, hunting is not allowed along the highway.

Mosquitoes? What time of year?
Every season but winter.

Recommendations of campgrounds and things to see/do.
What kinds of things to you like to see and do?
What kind of campground do you prefer?

Go? Yes/No?
Absolutely, yes.

Do read sue.t's comments and replies, she does know of what she speaks so to say.

Definitely follow sue t.'s comments and read her blog. She is a most excellent source of information. We met her and Steve, when we boondocked at her cabin off the Alaska Highway one night in June 2013.

Canada and the Yukon are both easily traveled by RVers. The public campgrounds are gorgeous and the RV parks tend to be very basic - not resorts. The roads are good unless you travel off the pavement. You just don't drive interstate speeds. There is road construction every summer - just like in the lower 48. Mosquitoes are not a bother in open areas. If you get deep into the forests or around ponds, lakes, they are more bothersome - just like in the lower 48.

You should have no concerns for RVing in those beautiful areas. Many RVers will be on the roads with you!

In late summer of 2013 we traveled BC, YT, and NT in our Pleasure Way. Had a great time, some roads had a little construction activity 'cause they had a pretty rough spring with some flooding of road culverts in May-June. Whitehorse is definitely worth your while, take the bus and train down to Skagway while there and tour the old steam paddle wheel too. We had a most interesting time over in Fort Nelson, Fort Providence, Fort Liard, and Hay River in NT. Hay River didn't look like much when you drive into it, but on the northern end is a real great TP, probably one of the best kept TP's we stayed at, host was especially helpful, think her name was Brenda. Go to the Farmer's Mkt on Saturday while there, it's a hoot! Then coming south down to AB you'll start to see wheat, canola, and all sorts of agriculture. Spend some time reading up on the Great Slave Lake and the MacKenzie River to get an idea of the magnitude of this country. Yellow Knife was kind of disappointing, mostly because of the frost heaves in the paved roadway driving to it, but it was still quite pretty going out there with all the granite formations and lakes. Just take your time!

You are planning on going where hundreds of thousands have been before. Sorry, but you will not be blazing any trail. Take whatever you have seen on TV with a grain of salt & a large helping of Hollywood.