Le YukonTombstone Territorial Park
2,200 square kilometres of jagged granite spires, permafrost tundra, and Beringian wildlife along the Dempster Highway.
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What makes it extraordinary
Tombstone is what people mean when they say the Yukon looks like another planet. The Dempster Highway climbs from spruce forest into open sub-arctic tundra, and suddenly the black, serrated peaks of Mount Monolith and Tombstone Mountain rise straight out of red-orange dwarf birch. Late August into early September is peak fall colour and the reason photographers travel here from around the world. Caribou, grizzlies, and moose all move through the valleys. The park's Hän name, Ddhäl Ch'èl Cha Nän, means "ragged mountain land," and the park itself exists as a legacy of the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Land Claim Agreement, sitting within their traditional territory.
A day trip from Dawson
Most visitors day-trip from Dawson City, about a 90-minute drive. Stop at the Tombstone Interpretive Centre at km 71.5 of the Dempster Highway for the ranger talk and current bear activity updates, then continue to the North Fork Pass viewpoint at km 74 for the classic photo. There's no food, gas, or phone service at the Interpretive Centre itself, the nearest of any of those is in Dawson or at Eagle Plains further north, so plan accordingly.
Backcountry access, and the real booking process
Serious hikers can apply for a permit to the Grizzly Lake, Divide Lake, or Talus Lake backcountry campgrounds, the only overnight access into the park's interior, reached via the Grizzly Lake Trail from a trailhead at km 58.5. This is not a lottery. It's a first-come, first-served online reservation system through Yukon's official camping portal, opening on a specific date early each year, competitive enough that popular dates can fill within hours, but a straightforward booking race rather than a random draw. Registration happens in person at the Interpretive Centre on the day of or the day before your trip, with set check-in times through the morning and afternoon.
A bear-proof food canister is mandatory for all backcountry camping, and can be rented or purchased at the Interpretive Centre or at several outfitters in Whitehorse and Dawson. There's no potable water provided at Grizzly Lake campground, so plan to bring your own or treat water drawn from natural sources. Worth knowing too: hunting season in the wider area typically runs August through October, overlapping with the best hiking window, so wear visible colours and stay alert on trail.
Questions, réponses
Is there an entrance fee for Tombstone?
No. Day-use access, the interpretive centre, and the highway pullouts are all free. Only backcountry camping requires a paid permit.
How do I book a backcountry campsite?
Through Yukon's online camping reservation portal, opening on a set date early in the year. It's first-come, first-served rather than a lottery, so popular dates can fill within hours of booking opening.
How long should I spend at Tombstone?
A full day if driving up from Dawson, allow about 90 minutes each way plus several hours for the interpretive centre and a short hike. Backcountry trips into Grizzly, Divide, and Talus Lakes typically run three to five days.
When is Tombstone open?
The park itself is open year-round, but the interpretive centre and backcountry campgrounds operate roughly mid-June to mid-September. The Dempster Highway remains technically open through winter but is recommended for experienced winter drivers only.
What's the nearest town?
Dawson City, about a 90-minute drive south. There's no shuttle service, so a rental car from Dawson or Whitehorse is necessary.
Chaque séjour réservé via Le Yukon finance une tonne vérifiée de retrait de carbone — même chambre, même prix, l'action climatique déjà intégrée au paiement.
Vous ne payez pas plus et l'hôtel n'est pas moins payé. C'est simplement ce qui se passe quand vous réservez.