Visit a wonderful, remote park in Canada’s North
Tombstone Territorial Park
Updated Apr 2022
Tombstone Territorial Park is located about 72 km north of Dawson City in Yukon Territory in Canada’s north. To get there drive north on the Dempster Highway from Dawson. This is a dirt and gravel road. There are no services between Dawson and the park.
Tombstone Territorial Park is 2,200 sq km in size and consists of rugged mountains, tundra, rivers and some forest. The park abounds in wildlife.
There is one campground. Camping at pullouts, viewpoints and other locations in the park is prohibited. Backcountry tent camping is allowed with a permit. The campground can accommodate most vehicles and trailers except perhaps very large ones. Facilities include outhouses, firewood, and river water, which is drinkable but you should boil it for ten minutes just to be safe. Camping costs $12 per night for non-Yukon residents. Information, permits and exhibits are available at the Visitor’s Interpretation Centre. The staff there is very friendly and helpful. It is open every day starting June 1st and weekends in May starting on the long holiday weekend which normally occurs about the 18th to 24th. (prices are subject to change manually).
Trails
What to do in Tombstone Territorial Park? The most popular activity is hiking. There are several trails.
North Klondike River Trail
This trail starts at the campground and follows the river to a small lake. It will be very muddy early in the season. The trail is in an area of tall bushes so visibility is limited. Make noise to warn bears that you are coming.
Edge of the Arctic Trail
This short 900-metre interpretive trail is a loop off the North Klondike River Trail. Start down the River Trail for a short distance until you see a small set of wooden stairs on the right. The trail goes in a circle and re-joins the North Klondike River Trail near the campground. This short, easy walk is at a bit higher elevations than the River Trail so it is dryer and offers a better view of the valley. Too bad it is so short.
Visitor’s Centre Trail
This very short trail connects the campground with the Visitor’s Centre. Lots of little birds can be seen here. I saw four different kinds of sparrows in this short distance.
Beaver Pond Trail
This trail starts across the parking lot from the Visitor’s Centre. It is a short 900-metre trail to a small pond. I don’t think that beavers live in the pond any longer but you never know what you might see. I saw a Solitary Sandpiper there are there are lots of little birds along the trail. Scan the hill on the far side of the highway for raptors. This is a pleasant evening stroll (depending on the weather and mosquitoes).
Viewpoint
This is not a trail but you can make it one by hiking up the road instead of driving. It is about 2.5 km from the campground and all uphill but not as steep as it appears. Pack a lunch and spend some time at the Viewpoint. I enjoyed this walk more than the Klondike River Trail because it was dry and at a high elevation with a great view all along the way. Watch for Moose and bears in the valley below. The Klondike River Trail is down in the valley with poor visibility. At the viewpoint watch for Willow Ptarmigan and Arctic Ground Squirrels. There is a great view of the Tombstone Mountains in the distance. Scan the surrounding mountainsides as well as the valley for Grizzly Bears. (Don’t forget that you are on the highway. Traffic is very light but stay aware).
Goldensides Trail
To get to this trail, drive up the hill from the campground. Go past the viewpoint and turn right at the next road. Drive up this road until you come to a microwave tower. Park here. The trail leads up Goldensides Mountain but does not go to the top. It skirts around the side of the mountain for a view of the Ogilvie Mountains. It is fairly steep in places but anyone in good health should be able to do it. You will be rewarded by spectacular views, especially early in the summer before the snow melts on the mountains. Watch for foxes that live in this area. The distance is 1.7 km each way. I enjoyed this trail very much.
Grizzly Lake Trail
This trail is located about 10 km south of the campground. It is the most difficult of the trails in the park. You have two options here. The first choice is to hike three kilometres to the viewpoint. This trail is very steep and only for people in good physical condition. After enjoying the view, you can return to the highway or take the second option and continue a further six km to Grizzly Lake. A tenting campsite is available there Ask at the Visitor’s Centre about current trail conditions and permits and let them know you are going and when you expect to return.
Even if you don’t like hiking, it is still worth the drive to Tombstone Territorial Park just to see the scenery and you might see lots of wildlife along the way. The Visitor’s Interpretive Centre sometimes has programs about wildlife and other informational programs about the park. Some people go back to Dawson the same day, but if you can, I really recommend spending a few days at this wonderful wilderness park.
Backcountry
There is even more spectacular mountain scenery in the backcountry that cannot be seen from the road. Many people hike into the Tombstone Mountains for a couple of days of backcountry tenting. This would be a wonderful experience if you have the equipment, time and physical fitness for the trek. Permits are required for backcountry camping. Let the people at the Visitor’s Centre know when you will return and check in with them when you get back. For amazing photos of the Tombstone backcountry do a search for them on Google.
You are responsible for your own safety. My Thatched Hut is in no way responsible for your actions. Hiking and other outdoor activities in any remote area has inherent dangers. There are bears and other animals. You could trip and break a leg. Only you can decide for yourself if you are comfortable with the conditions, the level of your physical fitness and the risk. Yukon Parks staff do not have the capacity or responsibility for initiating search and rescue