It takes a strong desire and a serious commitment to get to Eagle, more than 160 miles from Tetlin Junction and 145 miles from Dawson. Even if you’re on the way from Dawson into Alaska, it’s 130 miles, at least five hard hours of driving, from the junction of Top of the World and Taylor Highways to Eagle and back.

Is it worth it? Consider this: Eagle is a total history lesson. The small photogenic town of 150 may have more square feet of museum space than anywhere else in the state, and the moving-right-along walking tour can take up to three hours.

Add to that a beautiful free campground, great showers, good food, friendly people, and Yukon River scenery, and Eagle is, without hesitation, worth the extra time, effort, and expense. This is one friendly, peaceful, close-knit community.

Getting to Eagle

The Yukon Queen II (206/281-3535 or 888/452-1737 Gray Line of Alaska, 867/993-5599 in Dawson City, www.graylinealaska.com) is a high-speed 120-passenger vessel with daily summertime runs between Eagle and Dawson City in Yukon. Most passengers are part of a Holland America/Gray Line of Alaska trek, but independent travelers can ride for $90 each way, including a meal.

No buses run to Eagle, and it’s a good four hours by car from Dawson and at least another five hours down to Tetlin Junction.

Everts Air Alaska (907/450-2350, www.evertsair.com) and Arctic Circle Air (907/474-0112, www.arcticcircleair.com) offer flights from Fairbanks. This is a real bush-pilot trip, a daily mail and supply run.