Built to service the ill-fated gas pipeline through Canada’s Northwest and Yukon Territories between Whitehorse and the town of Norman Wells, the Canol Road is one of the country’s most impressive and least traveled routes for remote, backcountry adventure. The Canadian American Norman Oil (Canol) Road was carved out during World War II for a pipeline meant to transfer oil from Norman Wells to the nearby airfields in Alaska. The military needed the oil, but the wells were inefficient and maintenance was difficult in the remote territory. The oil fields were closed after just a year, but the road was repurposed a decade later to provide access to the Yukon’s small town of Ross River , which had a few semi-profitable mines around it.
Planning Your Ride on the Canol Road Crossing 486 miles of Canada’s most remote, motorable terrain, the Canol route is divided into three sections. The first two sections are known as the south and north Canol Road, both of which traverse the Yukon. The southern section begins at Johnson’s Crossing, just off the Alaska Highway and 78 miles east of Whitehorse. It’s maintained but consists of rough gravel, so it’s a good idea to bring spare parts in case there’s a breakdown. Here, the road meanders through beautiful stunted evergreen forests for 136 miles to the town of Ross River.
The northern section begins at the intersection with the Robert Campbell Highway in Ross River and continues for 129 miles to the Northwest Territories border. This portion of the route sees less traffic than the southern section, and the road is not as well maintained. Both sections are closed during the winter months.
The last section of the route is referred to as the Canol Heritage Trail and consists of 221 miles of road that crosses the Northwest Territories to the oil fields at Norman Wells. Few motorists have ever completed this section as no maintenance is done on it. Some of its bridges have completely collapsed, forcing drivers to ford the rivers, which is only possible when water levels are low.
Fuel The first two sections, from Johnson’s Crossing to Ross River, is 279 miles, which means you will definitely need to carry a jerry can of fuel, even if you only ride that part. If you’re thinking about attempting the final Heritage Trail section, it’s imperative that you make a conservative estimate about how much fuel you’ll need. Very few people traverse this section, so no one will be passing by if you run out of gas.
Accommodations and Food A few campgrounds can be found near Quiet and Lapie Lake in the south Canol section, along with a couple designated campsites next to the road, but otherwise, you’re on your own. There are no signs of civilization along the Heritage Trail section, so you’ll need survival gear for however many days you plan to spend in this highly remote area.
Sights The Heritage Trail section is dotted with hundreds of historical artifacts from its World War II-era construction, including telegraph poles and wires, oil pipeline sections, and small huts known as “wanigans ,” which were used by the workers.
For most riders, though, it’s the untouched natural beauty that compels them to take this trail. Quiet and Lapie Lake are also excellent places to spot wildlife or do some fishing if you’ve brought the proper equipment.
Canol Road near Rose River – Photo Credit: Luigi Zanasi / CC BY Nisutlin River – Photo Credit: Walhaberer / CC BY Quiet Lake – Photo Credit: Jo Ohara / CC BY Featured Image is of Abandoned Trucks Along the Canol Heritage Trail – Photo Credit: Anthony DeLorenzo / CC BY
