Rules and safety at campgrounds and recreation sites

The Parks General Regulation applies to all territorial parks which includes;

• recreation parks (i.e. campgrounds, recreation site and day use areas);
• natural environment parks;
• wilderness preserves; and
• ecological reserves.  

This is a general guide to some of the regulations under the Parks and Land Certainty Act and other territorial and federal legislation that applies to recreational activities in territorial parks. It is subject to change without notice.  

Show respect for the area and other park users by following these rules and regulations.

Camping 

Within campgrounds

• Campsites are available on a first-come first-served basis except for those booked through the reservation service.  You may not tamper with valid campsite permits of other campers, or take over their campsite even if the site is empty.
• A campsite permit is required at all times.  
• Camping is only allowed on designated campsites.  All equipment and vehicles, including tents, must fit on the campsite pad.
• The maximum number of occupants of most camping sites is eight. The maximum number of occupants for a group campsite is 12. The maximum number of occupants for a campsite specified for the use of tents is five.
• You may camp in the campground a maximum of 14 nights in any 28-day period. This includes camping under permits issued to someone else.
• Campsites may not be left unoccupied for more than 24 hours. You may not register a campsite permit for campers who have not yet arrived. A campsite may not be left unoccupied for the first night that a campsite permit is in effect.
• Most road-accessible campgrounds have designated accessible campsites. These campsites are for campers who have a disability in which they require a mobility aid, visual aid, assistance of another person or a service animal (not including an emotional support animal). If no one is occupying an accessible campsite by the time posted at that site, persons not meeting these criteria may camp there for one night.
• Excessive noise or disturbance that interferes with other campers’ quiet enjoyment of the park is not permitted. This includes;
  • damaging property;
  • fighting;
  • screaming;
  • loud music;
  • insulting, threatening or obscene language;
  • drunkenness; or
  • other disturbances.
• Quiet time is from 11 pm to 7 am. The use of items such as radios or musical instruments during this time is prohibited.
• Visitors who are not camping are not allowed in campgrounds after 11 pm.
• Day use on campsites is prohibited May 1 through September 30.  Only paid camping is allowed during this time.

Outside of campgrounds

• Camping in recreation parks is only allowed on campsites within campgrounds.
• In natural environment parks, wilderness preserves and ecological reserves camping is not allowed;
  • within 500m of a road;
  • in areas designated under the multi-use recreation zone or special feature zone;
  • or in other areas a park management plan says you cannot camp.  
• Park permits are not required for camping, except in certain areas of Tombstone Territorial Park. Inquire at the Tombstone Interpretive Centre.
• Contact the Parks Branch to ensure you are not going to be camping in prohibited areas before heading into the backcountry.

Generators

• Fuel powered generators can only be run in a campground from 9 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 8 pm. Exceptions may be made by a park officer to provide power for medical equipment.
• Generators of any kind cannot be used at any time in designated quiet areas of campgrounds.

Day use

• Day use areas, including recreation sites, are open to the public from 7 am to 11 pm.
• Camping is not permitted in day use areas.

Pets and livestock

• Pets must be leashed, tethered or caged at all times in campgrounds, day use areas and recreation parks.  
• Pets must be on leash;
  • on trails;
  • within 50m of trails; and
  • in all other areas where a sign says they must be leashed.
• A pet is on leash when the leash is held by a person or the tether is secured to an immovable stationary object.
• In all other areas of a park, pets must be under active control at all times. This means the animal can be seen by the person responsible for them and the animal listens to commands.
• Livestock are prohibited from being brought into campgrounds, day use areas and recreation parks unless a person has a park permit allowing them to.
• Pets and livestock cannot be left unattended in a park nor be allowed to cause unreasonable noise, harass, chase or bite any person, other domestic animals or wildlife.
• You must clean up after your pet.

Campfires and firewood

• Fires may only be lit in metal fire rings or stoves provided by Yukon Parks in recreation parks, campgrounds, day use areas and other designated areas within parks
• Fires cannot be left unattended or allowed to spread.  You must fully extinguish your fire, including any hot coals or smouldering materials, before leaving it unattended, including when going to bed.
• Fires must be kept small. Firewood cannot extend past the height of the fire ring grate.
• Firewood is supplied for use in the campground or day use area only. It is unlawful to remove it from that campground or day use area.
• You cannot have more than 0.113 m3 of firewood stockpiled on your camping site. This is equivalent to a pile of wood that would fill the inside of the fire ring at your site.
• A park officer may order a person to reduce the size of a fire or to extinguish a fire.
• When the fire hazard is extreme, fire bans or restrictions may be implemented. 

Smoking

• Smoking, including vaping, is prohibited at;
  • designated beaches;
  • swimming areas;
  • playgrounds;
  • change houses;
  • cook shelters; and
  • outhouses.

Liquor and cannabis 

• Consumption of liquor and cannabis is only permitted within registered campsites.  It is not allowed to be consumed anywhere else in a park including day use areas, playgrounds and cook shacks.

Wildlife attractants

• Feeding wildlife is not allowed.
• Wildlife attractants cannot be left unattended unless they are stored or disposed of in a way that does not attract wildlife and they are not accessible to wildlife.
• Parks staff may enter your campsite to secure unattended wildlife attractants that are left in plain sight. Items will be secured in a wildlife proof bin in the campground.

Hunting and fishing

• Discharging firearms from or through a campground is prohibited.
• Hunting and fishing are allowed in territorial parks and governed under the Wildlife Act and the Yukon Fishing Regulations.
• You may hang an animal carcass on a registered campsite, unless there is a sign saying you cannot. The carcass cannot be left unattended.  You may not hang a carcass anywhere else in a campground, or within a park facility or day use area.
• You may clean fish, game birds and small game in a campground, day use area or recreation park. All waste (offal) must be disposed of in the provided garbage bin or in another manner as described on signs in those areas.   Fish offal may be disposed in a waterbody if it is not at a designated boat launch, beach or swimming area.

Release and introduction of plants and animals

• Unless authorized by a park permit;
  • you may not release any species of plant, animal or fungi at any life stage (including reproductive propagules or larva) into a park; or
  • bring anything into a park that may carry any species of plants, animals or fungi that is not native to the park or that are invasive species.   

Drones

• Use of drones, otherwise known as Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), is prohibited within 50m of a campground, designated beach, designated swimming area, staff accommodation area, designated aircraft landing area, bystanders and other areas of parks where drone use is prohibited.
• There may be other areas of a park where drones are prohibited or a park permit is required to fly them. Contact the Parks Branch to ensure you are going to be flying your drone in appropriate areas.
• Follow the Government of Yukon Flying in Sheep Country guidelines and Flying in Caribou Country guidelines.

Waste

• It is prohibited to bring waste, including household garbage, into a park for disposal.
• Dumping holding tanks and sewage is prohibited. You must use a commercial dump station for RV liquid waste.

Motorized vehicles

• Vehicles must be parked in campsites or parking areas in day use areas.
• Do not park;
  • on vegetation;
  • in a way that may could block traffic; or
  • in a ways that could block access to park facilities.
• Off road vehicles may only be driven on designated trails or on maintained roads.  
• Snowmobiles may only be driven when snow conditions are suitable.  In recreation parks they may only be driven on;
  • designated trails;
  • roads;
  • frozen waterbodies; or
  • frozen waterways.

Watercraft

• Watercraft must not be moored, beached or anchored at a dock, boat launch, designated swimming area or designated beach except to allow people to get on or off the watercraft before getting underway. This includes kayaks, canoes and paddleboards.

Safety

Learn more about travelling safely in Yukon’s wilderness.

Bears

•  Keep your campsite bear safe by minimizing wildlife attractants. Wildlife attractants include;
  • coolers;
  • pots;
  • utensils;
  • dish cloths;
  • food, beverages;
  • toiletries;
  • pet food;
  • garbage;
  • gas cans;
  • bug spray;
  • recyclables; and
  • anything else that may attract wildlife.
• Keep bear spray handy and know how to use it.
• Always keep your pet on a leash and under control. A dog running loose may harass wildlife and trigger aggressive behaviour in bears.  
• Learn what to do if you encounter a bear.
• Learn more about staying safe in bear country.

Motorized vehicles

• Always go slow and watch for pedestrians.
• Vehicles should only be used to access campgrounds, campsites and day use areas. Vehicles should not be used for recreational purposes within these areas. 

Lakes and rivers 

• Use caution at all times on and around water. Learn more about water safety.
• If travelling on ice, always ensure that the ice is thick enough for the activity you are doing.
• Use caution on icy waterways and never travel alone.

Drinking water

• There is no potable water provided by Yukon Parks.  Always bring potable water with you or have a way to treat nearby natural water sources.
• Some sites may have access to non-potable well water or a waterbody like a lake or river. Always treat water prior to consuming it.

Crime prevention

Our parks experience very little crime. With your help we can keep it this way.

• Ensure that your camping gear and valuables are securely stored and locked up when you are away from your site.
• Mark your camping gear and valuables to deter thieves.
• Report acts of vandalism to a park officer or RCMP.

Contact

• For emergencies, call 911, or the RCMP at 867-667-5555.
• Report suspicious activities or disturbances to park officers at 867-456-3974 or the RCMP at 867-667-5555.
• Report wildfires to 1-888-789-FIRE (3473).
• Report wildlife, fishing and environmental violations to the TIPP line at 1-800-661-0525.