Camping in Yukon
Epic road trips, grizzly bears, and pure wilderness meet lively small towns in Canada’s far north.
- Yukon
Popular camping styles for Yukon
2 top campgrounds in Yukon
Camping in Yukon guide
Overview
In addition to the capital city of Whitehorse and artsy Dawson City, the Yukon has more remote corners than one can reach. This northern territory is prime territory for road-trippers, with peaks and crystal-clear lakes around every bend. Visitors typically head to Yukon campgrounds in summer when the sun never sets, but spring and fall offer scenic trips, too, and the closer you get to winter, the better your chances of spotting the northern lights. Some travelers brave the frigid snowy season (temperatures can get down to -40°C) for cozy cabins and winter adventures.
Whitehorse Region
Whitehorse is the Yukon’s only city and serves as a home base for Yukon River adventures and Gold Rush history. The region is typically visited as part of a road trip on the Alaska Highway, which starts in British Columbia, runs through the Whitehorse region, and delivers travelers past Beaver Creek and into Alaska (yes, you’ll need your passport to get into the United States and then back into Canada!). Take advantage of the city’s festivals and creative culture before delving out into the wilderness. Various RV parks and tent campsites can be found around the city.
Southern Lakes
South of Whitehorse, you’ll find some 600 kilometres of lakes, including the headwaters of the Yukon River, Canada’s second-longest. Along with plenty of opportunities to get out on the water, the area features the small communities of Carcross, Tagish, and Teslin Lake, plus many Yukon government campgrounds offering RV camping with hookups.
Kluane Region
Backcountry campers love Kluane National Park, home to Canada’s highest peak, grizzly bears, and wolves. The park’s Cottonwood Trail, a multi-day hiking odyssey through the Dalton Range, is ideal for backpackers. When you need a rest, stop in the small friendly town of Destruction Bay to stock up on groceries, take a hot shower, and get your laundry done. The tiny village of Haines Junction is worth checking out for the Catholic church built from an abandoned steel hut and the Kluane National Park and Reserve Visitor Center’s First Nations art and artifacts.
Klondike Region
Klondike was a Gold Rush hot spot in the late 1890s, and it’s possible to dig into that history in Dawson City. On the edge of town is the Gold Rush Campground, a perfect spot for RVers and those looking for WiFi. The Klondike area is also where the 736-kilometer, bucket-list Dempster Highway road trip begins on its way to Inuvik in the Northwest Territories.
Watson Lake Region
The first town you hit entering the Yukon from British Columbia, Watson Lake is a friendly, convenient stop in the southeastern Yukon. Check off your stop at the famous Sign Post Forest before refueling and heading to one of a dozen or so campgrounds and RV parks.
