Permafrost thaw within Tombstone Territorial Park may affect water quality. Natural water sources in the park are not guaranteed suitable for drinking or personal use.
Review the "Water" section on this page for more information.
There are plenty of things to do and see for all ages, abilities and interests in Tombstone Territorial Park. Popular activities include:
Tombstone Territorial Park is located between kilometre 50 and kilometre 120 on the Dempster Highway. It's a remote park without food, gas, or phone service. The nearest gas, food and lodging are in Dawson located 110 kilometres away and Eagle Plains located 298 kilometres away. A gas cardlock is available at the junction of the Klondike and Dempster highways.
Tombstone Territorial Park is a remote area with few established trails. Even for day hikes, prepare for rough terrain and drastic weather changes. Learn more about travelling safely in the Yukon wilderness and download Planning a Trip to Tombstone Territorial Park.
Yukon Parks does not provide potable water in Tombstone Territorial Park front country or backcountry campgrounds. Plan ahead, bring your own water and use discretion when gathering water from natural water sources for drinking or personal use.
Permafrost thaw is contributing to changes in water bodies in Tombstone Territorial Park, which may affect water quality in some areas. When permafrost thaws, previously frozen minerals are exposed to oxygen and water which can contribute to:
Due to changing conditions:
There are no weather stations for Tombstone Territorial Park; however you can check the weather forecast for Mount Frank Rae (elevation 1,500 metres) and Environment Canada's current weather, warnings and forecast for the Dempster Highway (for conditions north of Eagle Plains, Dempster Highway kilometre 446).
You can find the current Dempster Highway road conditions at Yukon 511.
A park permit is a permit required to engage in certain activities, uses and developments within Yukon territorial parks, including:
This trip planning information is not exhaustive. We recommend you read Planning a trip to Tombstone Territorial Park and the Tombstone Territorial Park brochure and map.
Follow us on Facebook for the latest news and events at Tombstone Territorial Park.
You can now reserve a campsite at Tombstone Mountain Campground.
Learn more about campsite reservations.
Backcountry campgrounds are open July 1 to September 7, 2026, depending on weather and site conditions. Reservations open March 4 at 9 am.
You need to make an online reservation to secure sites at the 3 backcountry campgrounds in Tombstone Territorial Park. Early reservations are recommended to ensure availability.
Go to the campsite reservation system
Before you begin your trip you and all members of your party must watch our backcountry orientation video, either online before your arrival or at the Interpretive Centre.
We approve the use of hard-shelled bear-resistant food canisters not soft bags.
Bear-resistant food canisters are mandatory for all backcountry travel to protect wildlife, you and your food supply.
You must purchase or rent your own canisters before you arrive.
There are no weather stations for Tombstone Territorial Park; however you can check the weather forecast for Mount Frank Rae (elevation 1,500 metres) and Environment Canada's current weather, warnings and forecast for the Dempster Highway (for conditions north of Eagle Plains, Dempster Highway kilometre 446).
You can find the current Dempster Highway road conditions at Yukon 511.
Yukon Parks does not provide potable water in Tombstone Territorial Park frontcountry or backcountry campgrounds. Plan ahead, bring your own water and use discretion when gathering water from natural water sources for drinking or personal use.
Permafrost thaw is contributing to some changes in water bodies in Tombstone Territorial Park, which may affect water quality in some areas. Because of these changing conditions, natural water sources are not guaranteed suitable for drinking or personal use.
Gathering and consuming water from natural water sources for drinking or personal use is at your own discretion and risk. Research your equipment before visiting. Standard water treatment may protect against disease-causing organisms but may not remove elevated levels of naturally occurring metals and minerals or acidity.
To receive camping permits, all hikers must register in person at the Tombstone Interpretive Centre. Registration times are 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm (noon) for same day departures, or 4 pm for next day departures. Bring your bear-proof canisters to verify all attractants are stored properly.
When you're hiking and camping in the park, you should adhere to leave no trace principles. Prepare for rough terrain, drastic weather changes and wildlife encounters. Parks Branch staff are not responsible for initiating search and rescue.
Grizzly Lake Trail is the only maintained trail for accessing the backcountry area of the Grizzly Lake, Divide Lake and Talus Lake campgrounds. The trailhead is at kilometre 58.5 of the Dempster Highway.
See information about each:
Tenting in these valleys is restricted to your reserved tent pads only.
Routes from Grizzly Lake to Divide Lake and Talus Lake, and all other off-trail areas of the park, require skills, experience and confidence with:
Read Planning a Trip to Tombstone for detailed trail and route descriptions.
A permit is required for all overnight camping, not just in the campgrounds.
It is your responsibility to be informed of the following when camping in a non-facility area.
To apply for a general permit for overnight trip in undesignated non-facility areas of Tombstone Territorial Park email [email protected].
Tombstone Territorial Park is remote and there are few established trails. Hikers enjoying its incredible backcountry are responsible for their own safety and must respect the experience of other hikers. Even if you're planning on a day hike, you should:
The following hiking trails can be accessed from the Dempster Highway.
For the 2026 season, the centre is open daily, 9 am to 5 pm, from May 16 to September 20, including holidays
Located at kilometre 71.5 on the Dempster Highway, the Tombstone Interpretive Centre is a 1.5-hour drive north of Dawson City. It's your first stop for adventures in Tombstone Territorial Park, providing information and services for park campers, hikers and visitors.
The building was designed to:
Interpretive displays celebrate the unique natural and cultural history of the area.
We can only take cash at the Interpretive Centre.
There is no phone, food or gas at the Interpretive Centre. The nearest food or gas is in Dawson and Eagle Plains. There's a gas cardlock at the junction of the Klondike and Dempster highways.
For more information about the Tombstone Interpretive Centre or the park, contact us at [email protected].
Daily guided hikes and interpretive programs for 2026 run from June 8 to August 31. Find updates on our Facebook page or on posters at the centre and campground. Programs start at the campground entrance kiosk unless noted.
2 pm - Nature walk, 1 hour.
6:30 pm - Guided hike: Goldensides Trail, 3 to 4 hours.
3 pm - Bannock and tea, Tombstone Interpretive Centre.
2 pm - Pop up program, Tombstone Interpretive Centre.
7 pm - Guided hike: Beaver Pond, 2 hours.
2 pm - Nature walk, 1 hour
6:30 pm - Guided hike: Goldensides Trail, 3 to 4 hours
2 pm - Nature walk, 1 hour
7:30 pm - Campfire program, Tombstone Mountain Campground.
10 am - Guided hike: Alpine adventure, 4 to 5 hours.
2 pm - Pop up program, Tombstone Interpretive Centre.
10 am - Guided hike: North Klondike, 2 hours.
2 pm - Pop up program, Tombstone Interpretive Centre.
Free walks, talks and workshops begin the Friday evening and end by Sunday afternoon. Find details on our Facebook page or on posters at the centre and campground. Hosted in partnership with Friends of Dempster Country. Special event weekends for 2026:
Each summer, the park hosts an artist in residence in partnership with Friends of Dempster Country and the Yukon Arts Centre. Find details on our Facebook page or on posters at the centre and campground.
For more information and to apply for the residency, contact the Yukon Arts Centre.
Calling all kids! Complete our junior naturalist program and earn a special park badge. Ask park interpreters at the Centre for more information.
For more information about Tombstone Territorial Park events or interpretive programs, email [email protected]
The Tombstone Interpretive Centre and backcountry campgrounds are closed during the winter months. However, the park offers basic services so that people can enjoy camping, snowshoeing, dog sledding, skiing, snowmobiling and wildlife viewing in the park.
These trails and routes are maintained for winter recreation from February until April. Follow our Facebook page for Friday updates.
You're in mountain country. Avalanches occur regularly in the park. View the park avalanche terrain and snowmobile use map and check weather and snow conditions for the period leading up to your trip. Visit the Yukon Avalanche Association for more information.
Most of the park is managed as Wildland Zone for non-motorized recreation to preserve the natural landscape and offer peaceful backcountry experiences.
However, when snow is at least 30.5 centimetres over frozen ground and deep enough to protect the fragile ground cover, recreational snowmobiling is allowed in the "Recreational Snowmobile Use" sub-zone. This includes North Klondike River basin and an area south of the Hart River Winter Road, as well as specific winter travel routes.
See the Tombstone Territorial Park Management Plan for maps.
For any questions about travelling in Tombstone Territorial Park, email [email protected] or phone 867-993-7714 (Dawson), 867-667-5648 (Whitehorse) or toll free in the Yukon 1-800-661-0408, extension 5648.
