The northernmost Canada-U.S. border crossing and the highway to get there fully opened for the season over the May long weekend, a Yukon highways department spokesperson confirmed.
The Little Gold Creek border crossing between Yukon and Alaska is located just over 100 kilometres west of Dawson City via the Top of the World Highway.
A press release from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) advises travellers that the Little Gold Creek port of entry opened on May 18 with seasonal hours from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time.
A Facebook post by the Yukon Department of Highways and Public Works (HPW) marked the opening of the port and road over the weekend.
The HPW post reminds travellers that access to the highway requires crossing the Yukon River via the government-run George Black ferry in Dawson City. The government鈥檚 website states the ferry typically runs 24-7 on a first-come, first-served basis from mid-May to mid-October, depending on weather conditions.
The CBSA release notes that weather can impact the opening and closing dates. For example, weather delayed the opening in 2024 by a few days.
The border crossing offers access for tourists, miners and people who live in the area. More than 11,600 travellers entered Canada at this port of entry throughout the 2024 season, the release notes.
Travellers are cautioned in the release to remember that there鈥檚 a one-hour difference between the time in the Yukon and Alaska, with Yukon one hour ahead of Alaska.
The border crossing is expected to close for the season on Sept. 15, as noted in the release.
The port of entry and highway faced seasonal closures during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, and reduced hours and shorter seasons in 2022 and 2023. The , although the former mayor of Dawson City said there鈥檚 still room for improvement compared to when the port and road have previously opened and closed.
鈥擶ith files from Matthew Bossons
Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com
