Kusawa Territorial Park
A 3,100 sq km glacial lake and mountain park an hour west of Whitehorse — the classic Yukon paddle and campground.
Turquoise Kusawa Lake bounded by steep Coast Mountain peaks
What to expect at Kusawa Territorial Park
Kusawa is Whitehorse's backyard big-lake park. The lake itself is 75 km long, glacier-fed, and hemmed in by 2,000-metre peaks of the Coast Mountains. It is the traditional territory and cultural heart of the Kwanlin Dün, Champagne and Aishihik, and Carcross/Tagish First Nations, who co-manage the park. The 45-site campground at the north end sits on a fine sand-and-cobble beach with a boat launch, day-use area and mostly-level tent pads. It is the closest 'real' Yukon backcountry lake to town.
Locals come for lake trout fishing, canoe touring toward the head of the lake (a serious 5-7 day round trip), and fall trumpeter swan watching. The 24 km gravel access road from the Alaska Highway is fine for any car in summer but rough after rain. Cell service ends at the turnoff. Fill up on gas, groceries and a fishing licence in Whitehorse — there is nothing between Whitehorse and the campground except the highway junction store at Champagne.
Questions about Kusawa Territorial Park
Day-use is free. Camping is $20/night per site, cash or exact debit at the self-registration kiosk. Yukon anglers licence for non-residents is $20/day or $50/season.
The day-use area is always free. Camping fees apply every night the campground is open.
Half day for a swim and picnic, full day if you launch a canoe. Overnight campers usually stay 2-3 nights.
The campground closes mid-September and reopens mid-May. The day-use gate and lake access stay open year-round for ice fishing and skiing.
Yes for weekends in July-August — reserve at Yukon.ca/camping starting the first week of April. Weekdays are usually walk-in fine.
Drive 60 km northwest from Whitehorse on the Alaska Highway to Km 1543, then 24 km south on the Kusawa Lake Road. No transit; rental car required.
Hotels near Kusawa Territorial Park
Every hotel we cover in Whitehorse
- Northern Lights Resort & SPA 3★ · 4.9/5
- Triple B Bed n Breakfast 3★ · 4.9/5
- Sundog Retreat 3★ · 4.8/5
- Raven Inn Whitehorse 3★ · 4.4/5
- Skky Hotel 3★ · 4.2/5
- Coast High Country Inn 3★ · 4.1/5
- Best Western Gold Rush Inn 2★ · 4/5
- Yukon Inn 3★ · 3.7/5
- Town and Mountain Hotel 3★ · 3.6/5
- Midnight Sun Inn 2★ · 3.5/5
- Inn on the Lake Whitehorse 4★
- NN The Kluane Whistlebend 3 bed 2 bath 4★
- NN The Mack Crestview 1 bed 1 bath 4★
- The Big Red Barn 4★
- Hotel Carmacks 3★
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