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Canol Trail & Pelly River Country

Ross River, Yukon

Where the Ross and Pelly Rivers meet in the heart of Kaska Dena territory — remote, genuine, and connected to the land in a way that is rare anywhere in Canada.

~350
Population
Consult
Avg Property Price
Unincorporated
Municipality Type
Pelly / Selwyn
Region

Life in Ross River

Ross River sits at the confluence of the Ross and Pelly Rivers in central Yukon, accessible via the Campbell Highway — one of Yukon's most scenic and least-travelled routes. The community is the hub of Ross River Dena Council territory, part of the broader Kaska Nation whose traditional lands span from the Yukon's Pelly highlands into northern British Columbia. The Kaska have called this river country home for thousands of years, and their connection to the land remains the central fact of life here.

The community has a population of roughly 350, predominantly Kaska Dena, with basic services including a K-12 school, nursing station, post office, and small store. The Campbell Highway connects Ross River to Faro (95 km west) and eventually to Watson Lake to the southeast. The highway itself is an experience — it passes through Pelly Mountains scenery that most Canadians will never see, through country where moose, caribou, wolves, and stone sheep are regular sights.

Ross River is the southern terminus of the Canol Heritage Trail — one of Canada's most extreme wilderness hiking routes, stretching 372 kilometres north to Norman Wells, NWT along the route of a wartime oil pipeline abandoned in 1945. Only well-prepared, experienced wilderness parties attempt the full trail. The Pelly River system through this area is equally compelling for wilderness paddlers — clear water, exceptional fishing, and days of river travel with no other humans in sight.

Important for buyers: The Ross River Dena Council has not signed a Final Agreement under the Yukon Umbrella Final Agreement framework. Land rights and governance in this area operate under different frameworks than most other Yukon First Nations communities. Buyers should work with a Yukon real estate professional experienced with non-Agreement First Nations land status before purchasing in or near Ross River.

Real Estate in Ross River

Community Properties

Ross River's private real estate market is very limited. Most housing in the community is owned or managed by the Ross River Dena Council or Yukon Housing Corporation. Occasional private sales occur — consult a Yukon REALTOR® with knowledge of this specific community and First Nation land frameworks for current availability.

Consult a Yukon real estate specialist

Campbell Highway Corridor

The Campbell Highway between Ross River, Faro, and Watson Lake crosses remarkable wilderness. Occasional rural properties and acreages along the highway provide access to extraordinary Pelly Mountains landscapes — hunting, fishing, and wilderness living of a quality found nowhere else in Canada at comparable price points.

Varies widely — consult locally

Wilderness Land Parcels

For buyers interested in remote Yukon land parcels in the Pelly Mountains and Selwyn Range area, the Yukon government's Land Applications system may have relevant dispositions. These are raw parcels requiring full development — off-grid power, water, and access road planning. Not for the faint of heart, but remarkable in setting.

Yukon Government Land Applications — consult YG lands office

Ross River Real Estate — FAQ

Who are the Ross River Dena Council?
The Ross River Dena Council are the Indigenous people of the Ross River area, part of the broader Kaska Nation whose traditional territory spans the Yukon's Pelly and Ross River systems into northern BC. Importantly, unlike most Yukon First Nations, the Ross River Dena Council has not signed a Final Agreement under the Yukon Umbrella Final Agreement framework. Land rights and governance in the area therefore operate under different legal frameworks, and buyers considering property in or near Ross River should consult a Yukon real estate specialist familiar with non-Agreement First Nations communities before proceeding.
What is the Canol Heritage Trail?
The Canol Heritage Trail is one of Canada's most demanding and remote wilderness trails, running 372 kilometres from Norman Wells, NWT to Ross River, Yukon. Built in 1942-1944 as part of the wartime Canol Project — a pipeline and access road system designed to move Northwest Territories oil south for the war effort — it was abandoned almost immediately after the war ended and has returned largely to wilderness. The trail is rated as an extreme backcountry route requiring experienced parties, full wilderness gear, river crossing preparation, and considerable physical fitness. Ross River is the southern access point and trailhead for full-length attempts.
What is the Pelly River like around Ross River?
The Pelly River through the Ross River area is outstanding wilderness river country — exceptionally clear water, trophy fishing for chinook salmon, lake trout, northern pike, and arctic grayling, and paddling access to hundreds of kilometres of untouched wilderness. The Ross and Pelly Rivers are popular with experienced wilderness canoeists and kayakers seeking a genuine northern river experience with minimal other travellers. This is multi-day and multi-week wilderness travel territory — not a day-trip river, and not suitable for inexperienced paddlers.
What is daily life like in Ross River?
Ross River has a population of about 350, with basic services including a school, nursing station, post office, and small store. The community is predominantly Ross River Dena Council members and their families, alongside a small non-Indigenous population drawn by the wilderness setting. Daily life centres on the land — hunting, fishing, trapping, and the rhythms of a northern community with a deep connection to its environment. The Campbell Highway connects Ross River to Faro (95 km west) and eventually to Watson Lake.
What should buyers know about real estate in Ross River?
Ross River is a very small, remote community and the private real estate market is minimal. Most housing is owned or managed by the Ross River Dena Council or Yukon Housing Corporation. The fact that the Ross River Dena Council has not signed a Final Agreement means land tenure, governance, and property rights operate differently here than in most of Yukon. Buyers interested in the area should work with a Yukon real estate professional who specifically understands non-Agreement First Nations community contexts and should verify land status carefully before purchasing.
Is there a Land Transfer Tax in Yukon?
No. Yukon has no provincial or territorial Land Transfer Tax. Buyers pay legal and notary fees and title registration costs, but there is no government transfer tax on the purchase price. This applies throughout Yukon, including in Ross River and other smaller and more remote communities.
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