Getting There

Inuvik is accessible by car using the Dempster Highway (Rt. 5) out of Dawson City, Yukon Territory.  It is a 417 mile road.  Be sure to start your drive to Inuvik at the visitors center in Dawson.  There is important information you'll want to have regarding supplies and warnings you'll want to be aware of before driving to Inuvik. 

For example, the Dempster Highway is largely a gravel road.  Not your typical garden gravel.  We're talking railroad gravel.  45 mph/72 kph is the recommended speed limit.  Any faster and your tires tend to hurl it into oncoming traffic, not to mention that tires will pierce at faster speeds on this stuff.  Other recommendations include spare gas, spare tires and a very serious willingness to accept having a cracked windshield at the end of your journey.  Get glass coverage on your car before you go - you'll think back on this advice fondly.

The Dempster Highway is an absolutely amazing stretch of road covering hundreds of miles of arctic tundra.  Wild horses, eagles, a little bit of snow on the ground in July (although temps are reasonably warm), the midnight sun...  You'll be crossing from Yukon to Northwest Territories as well as the Arctic Circle.  On your way back down to Dawson, be sure to get your "official" certificate at the midway point on the Dempster Highway, declaring that you successfully crossed the Arctic Circle.

The mid-point on the Dempster is something you'll want to research.  Although you can do the whole road in a single day, it's a lot more fun to stop at the half-way point at Eagle Plains.  It's the only place you'll find between Dawson and Inuvik, so plan to gas up, use the bathroom, get a tire fixed and possibly even stay the night.  If you think you're interested in staying the night, be sure to make reservations well in advance.  Also - if traveling in the summer, ask to stay in a room on the shady side (the east side of the building).  With the midnight sun, rooms on the west side tend to be very warm.  Also - listen for the ravens in the parking lot!