Guides/Overland routes/Alaska
Overland route160 midifficulty: moderate

Taylor Highway

RegionAlaskaAgencyBureau of Land ManagementLast verified—
Taylor Highway — overland route near Tok, Alaska, Alaska
Photo by Craig McCaa / BLM Alaska via Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
160mi
Technical difficulty
Moderate
Direction
Out and back
Vehicle
High-clearance vehicle. The first 60 miles are paved; the remaining 100 miles are gravel that becomes narrow, steep, and curvy north of Jack Wade Junction.
Best months
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Cell coverage
None on most of the highway
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The Taylor Highway (Alaska Route 5) is a 160-mile route from Tetlin Junction on the Alaska Highway to Eagle on the Yukon River, accessing the Fortymile Mining District and the Top of the World Highway crossing into Canada. The road was built to serve the Fortymile gold camps where gold was discovered in the late 19th century, and Chicken — a tiny inhabited mining settlement at mile 70 — remains one of the most-visited Fortymile destinations.

The first 60 miles south are paved; from there north the surface is gravel, with the section between Chicken and Eagle described as the highway's most challenging — narrow, steep, with sharp curves. Open seasonally April through mid-October. The Top of the World Highway branches east at Jack Wade Junction and crosses into Yukon Territory.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Chicken-to-Eagle. Narrow, steep, sharp curves. The highway's most challenging section.
  • Tire damage. Common on the gravel.
  • Moose collisions. A leading cause of accidents on Alaska's gravel highways.
  • Cell coverage. None on most of the route.
  • Fuel. Limited; plan stops carefully.
  • Border crossing. Passport required for Top of the World Highway. Customs hours June through mid-September only.
  • Snow. Possible at any time of year above 3,000 feet.

Location

160 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 63.130, -142.850

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyBureau of Land Management
Nearest townTok, Alaska
Websitewww.blm.gov/visit/taylor-highway
ClosedNov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Approx. location63.130, -142.850

Getting there

Directions

Southern access (Tetlin Junction). From Tok on the Alaska Highway, drive 12 miles southeast to Tetlin Junction. The Taylor Highway begins at the Alaska Highway junction.

Northern access (Eagle). Eagle is the road's northern terminus; no through-road north.

Approximate Tetlin Junction (Mile 0) coordinates: 63.130° N, -142.850° W.

Photos

2 photos

Photos · 2

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The highway sits in the Southeast Fairbanks Census Area in interior Alaska. Tok on the Alaska Highway anchors the southern access; Eagle on the Yukon River anchors the northern. Eagle (population ~70) is one of the smaller incorporated cities in the United States, sitting on the river upstream from the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve. Chicken at mile 70 is a tiny mining settlement (population ~15) named — according to local lore — because the original miners couldn't agree on the spelling of "ptarmigan."

Trail Overview

From Tetlin Junction on the Alaska Highway, the Taylor runs north as paved blacktop for 60 miles. The pavement ends at the South Fork Crossing; the next 100 miles run as graded gravel. Mile 70 hits Chicken, with the Chicken Creek Cafe, Chicken Mercantile, and the Goldpanner. Beyond Chicken, the road climbs into the Fortymile country and reaches Jack Wade Junction at mile 95 — where the Top of the World Highway branches east toward Canada. From Jack Wade Junction north, the road becomes single-lane and steeper, with the final 65 miles to Eagle marked as the most challenging section.

Driving the full 160 miles takes 5 to 8 hours one-way. Most travelers spend a night in Eagle or Chicken and split the trip into two days. The Top of the World Highway requires a passport and adds another day.

Points of Interest

  • Chicken. Tiny inhabited mining settlement at mile 70. Cafe, mercantile, and gold-panning experiences.
  • Jack Wade Junction. Mile 95. Junction with the Top of the World Highway to Yukon Territory.
  • Eagle. Mile 160. Historic Yukon River town with Fort Egbert, the Eagle Historical Society Museum, and access to the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve.
  • Fortymile River. Crossed multiple times along the route. National Wild and Scenic River.
  • West Fork Campground. BLM-managed campground at mile 49.
  • Walker Fork Campground. BLM-managed campground at mile 82.
  • Eagle BLM Campground. Free BLM campground in Eagle.

Where to Camp

BLM-managed campgrounds at West Fork (mile 49), Walker Fork (mile 82), and the Eagle Campground (Eagle), all with fees or free. Dispersed camping is allowed throughout BLM land with the standard 14-day stay limit. Eagle has commercial lodging at the Falcon Inn. Chicken has informal camping near the mercantile.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Travel June through September. The road is closed October through April.
  • Carry full fuel, water, and food. Chicken has limited supply; Eagle has a small store but limited fuel.
  • Carry two full-size spare tires. Sharp gravel punctures sidewalls.
  • Cell coverage is absent for most of the route.
  • Drive with headlights on for dust visibility.
  • The Chicken-to-Eagle section requires careful driving. Steep grades and sharp curves; allow extra time.
  • Top of the World Highway crossing requires a passport and customs hours (June through mid-September only).
  • Watch for moose, caribou, and grizzly bears.
  • Eagle's Yukon River banks erode every spring; be respectful of locals' restoration efforts.
  • Contact the BLM Eastern Interior Field Office at 907-474-2200 for current conditions.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Taylor Highway?
Taylor Highway is rated moderate. The route runs 160 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Taylor Highway?
High-clearance vehicle. The first 60 miles are paved; the remaining 100 miles are gravel that becomes narrow, steep, and curvy north of Jack Wade Junction.
When is the best time to visit Taylor Highway?
The best months are Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep. Avoid Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.
Is there cell service at Taylor Highway?
None on most of the highway