Yukon Camping Guide: Best Sites & Wilderness Tips

Planning to go camping in Yukon, Canada? Discover the best campgrounds, backcountry sites, and essential tips for a safe, unforgettable wilderness experience.

🌲 Introduction

Imagine waking up to the sound of loons, the scent of spruce trees, and a snow-capped mountain in the distance. That’s a typical morning in Yukon.

With endless wilderness, stunning scenery, and low crowds, camping in Yukon is one of the best ways to experience its wild beauty. Whether you prefer frontcountry comfort or remote backcountry solitude, this guide covers everything you need to camp like a local.

🏕️ Best Frontcountry Campgrounds in Yukon

These campgrounds are accessible by car and typically offer picnic tables, fire pits, outhouses, and sometimes water.

1. Kathleen Lake Campground (Kluane National Park)

📍 Near Haines Junction
✅ Stunning lake and mountain views
🥾 Access to King’s Throne and Cottonwood trails

2. Pine Lake Campground

📍 Just outside Haines Junction
✅ Family-friendly, with a beach and canoe launch
🔥 Firewood provided (free with permit)

3. Congdon Creek Campground

📍 Along Kluane Lake, Alaska Highway
✅ Large sites, bear-proof food lockers
🐻 Note: Bears frequent this area — be bear-aware!

4. Tombstone Mountain Campground

📍 Tombstone Territorial Park, Dempster Highway
✅ Gateway to stunning hikes and fall colors
📸 Ideal for landscape photographers

5. Quiet Lake Campground

📍 South Canol Road
✅ Remote and peaceful
🚗 High-clearance vehicle recommended for access

🎒 Best Backcountry Camping in Yukon

Backcountry camping offers total immersion in nature — but requires preparation.

1. Grizzly Lake (Tombstone Park)

• Permits required

• Bear-resistant food canisters mandatory

• Alpine scenery and tundra terrain

2. Cottonwood Trail (Kluane)

• Multi-day loop through valleys and alpine meadows

• Requires good navigation skills

• One of Yukon’s top wilderness treks

3. Slims River West Trail (Kluane)

• Leads to the edge of Kaskawulsh Glacier

• River crossings involved — advanced hikers only

• Camp on gravel bars or designated clearings

📅 Best Time to Camp in Yukon

🧊 Tip: Nights are cold year-round — bring warm sleeping gear.

🎫 Camping Permits & Reservations

• Territorial Parks (Yukon Parks):

  • Self-registration kiosks at campgrounds

  • $20 per night (includes firewood)

• National Parks (Kluane):

  • Book through Parks Canada

  • Backcountry requires a permit and bear safety gear

💡 Always check current conditions and fire bans before heading out.

🐻 Wilderness Safety & Bear Awareness

Camping in Yukon means sharing space with wildlife — especially bears.

Bear Safety Tips:

• Store all food in bear-proof containers or hang from a tree

• Cook and eat away from your tent

• Never leave garbage behind

• Make noise while hiking to avoid surprise encounters

• Carry bear spray and know how to use it

🎒 Essential Camping Gear Checklist

Camping Basics:

• 3-season tent (4-season for fall/winter)

• Sleeping bag (rated for -5°C or lower)

• Sleeping pad

• Camp stove and fuel

• Cookware, utensils, biodegradable soap

Clothing:

• Base layers

• Insulating mid-layer (fleece or down)

• Waterproof jacket and pants

• Warm hat and gloves

• Extra socks and thermal underwear

Other Essentials:

• Water filter or purification tablets

• Headlamp with extra batteries

• Bug spray (especially in July)

• Map, compass, GPS

• First aid kit

• Trash bags — pack out everything

💡 Tips for First-Time Yukon Campers

• 📱 No cell service in many areas — download maps offline

• 🧊 Nights can drop below freezing, even in summer

• 🔥 Fire bans may be in place — check before lighting any fire

• 🐾 Respect wildlife — you’re in their territory

• 📸 Bring a camera — you’ll want to capture these views

🌟 Conclusion

From starlit nights to peaceful mornings by glacial lakes, camping in Yukon is pure wilderness magic. Whether you’re pulling into a quiet frontcountry site or pitching a tent deep in the backcountry, you’ll be surrounded by some of the most pristine nature in North America.

So pack your gear, plan ahead, and let Yukon show you just how wild and beautiful camping can be.