5 Awe-Inspiring Waterfront Campsites in The Yukon
Camping in the Yukon: where do we begin? From the clear blue alpine lakes to the rare bird and tree species you will encounter along the campgrounds you visit - it is truly unlike anything else. People go camping for their own unique reasons: some like to disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature, others to escape the routine of everyday life. Irregardless of your reason for getting outdoors, the Yukon is guaranteed to enrich your thirst for the unknown. Check out these five awe-inspiring waterfront campsites in the Yukon to add to your road trip itinerary.
Do you want to visit the Yukon, but aren’t sure what parks or areas you would like to visit, or how to fit it all into one trip? Fortunately, Overland Yukon offers customizable itineraries, as well as vehicles equipped with rooftop tents and camping equipment, providing the flexibility you need to complete every item on your Yukon bucket list. You will be able to experience everything from the beauty of the Kluane mountain region to the vast and flat Dempster Highway, all in a single trip.
Do not limit yourself to the beauty that the Yukon has to offer you. Explore it all. With these iconic Yukon waterfront campsites, there is no doubt you will reach the height of your Yukon experience and be able to take in all the scenery.
Kusawa Campground
Highway: Alaska Highway
Highway km: 1489
Secondary road: Kusawa Lake Road
Secondary road km: 23
GPS coordinates: 60.585°N 136.146°W
Whitehorse is not only a convenient location to begin your road trip after picking up your vehicle from the Overland Yukon headquarters - but it also offers an array of spectacular camping areas. Kusawa Campground stands out, as it is a wonderful place to walk through diverse habitats and enjoy creeks and river valleys. Add this campsite to your Whitehorse camping itinerary to kick off your trip with some spectacular bird-sightings of Dall’s sheep on the surrounding mountains.
Key Information:
Operated by Yukon Parks, Kusawa Campground is located at km 1489 of the Alaska Highway. Although you must register for your stay, you will be able to stay at this campground free of charge. This narrow lake is subject to high winds and waves. Occasionally, the narrow, winding road can be muddy after rain and pitted in sandy areas.
Park your Overland Yukon vehicle at the campsite and wake up early for a walk down to the water with your coffee to enjoy some early morning physical activity. The picturesque morning lake views are not to be missed.
2. Pine Lake Campground
Highway: Alaska Highway
Highway km: 1572.0
Secondary road km 0.0
GPS coordinates: 60.79867°N 137.48887°W
The popular Pine Lake campground attracts many visitors every year - and for a good reason. It boasts an excellent view of both the Kluane and St. Elias Mountains. While visiting, enjoy a relaxing stroll by the fresh alpine water with a wheelchair accessible boardwalk along the lake and a footpath extending to Pine Creek. Be sure to keep an eye out for birds and other wildlife while you are here - Pine Lake is known for being a great bird watching spot. Booking your Overland Yukon trip in May or September will allow you to avoid the crowds, as June, July, and August are the busiest months at this campground.
Key Information:
The Pine Lake Campground, operated by Yukon Parks, is located at km 1572 of the Alaska Highway, close to Haines Junction. With 42 campsites, 6 of them are pull-throughs. Besides the boat launch, the park has a kitchen shelter, playground, and a stellar hiking trail.
Perfectly suited for digital nomads and remote workers, this is one of the very few Yukon campgrounds that has cell phone service. The nightly fee at Pine Lake Campground, as at all Yukon Parks campgrounds, is $12, and includes firewood.
Related: A Digital Nomad’s Guide: How To Work Remote in The Yukon
3. Conrad Campground
Highway: Klondike Highway
Highway km: 90.0
Secondary road km: 0.0
GPS coordinates: 60.06936°N 134.57172°W
Yukon’s newest campground, Conrad Campground, has several sites overlooking the beautiful turquoise Tagish Lake and is engulfed by Rocky Mountains. Located in the now-abandoned town of Conrad City, this area previously supported the Venus silver mine in the early 1900s. While passing through in your Overland Yukon vehicle, drive through ‘the tiny town that wanted to but didn’t quite make it.’
Key Information:
The Conrad Campground falls within the Southern Lakes region and is operated by Yukon Parks, and is located at Km 90 of the South Klondike Highway. With 29 campsites, 2 of them are pull-throughs. The campground is located close to the Conrad Historic Site, where the town of Conrad served silver mines during a boom that peaked in 1905-1906.
4. Warm Bay Recreation Site
Looking for a cool dip in the lake on a sweltering summer day? Summers can be very warm in the Yukon, but due to its frequency of alpine lakes, most of the bodies of water are quite cold. The warm lake water at Atlin Lake, however, makes it the ultimate campsite for swimming.
Atlin is a small, remote community just south of the BC/Yukon Provincial Border on beautiful Atlin Lake. Snow capped mountains surround the village, making it a paradise for outdoor lovers. Park your Overland Yukon vehicle and take a dip in the fresh lake water, surrounded by colorful flowers and other wildlife. Consider asking your Overland Yukon Chief Exploration Officer how to add this destination to your customizable itinerary.
Key Information:
Warm Bay Recreation site is a semi-open site on Atlin Lake with a boat launch. It is a popular day use and camping area with a total of 4 sites, ideally suited for tenting. Space for a few small to mid-sized cars and trailers is also available. Approximately 27 km south of Atlin on Warm Bay Road.
5. Frances Lake Campground
Highway: Robert Campbell Highway
Highway km: 171.0
GPS coordinates: 61.40294°N 129.64472°W
A popular fishing spot, the Frances Lake campground, is an excellent destination to add to your Yukon summer camping trip while visiting the Campbell Region. Campgrounds are often located close to the beach, offering outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing, fishing, and sunbathing. This is where Yukon's first trading post was located from 1842 to 1851, when it was built by Robert Campbell for the Hudson's Bay Company.
Key Information:
Frances Lake Campground is operated by Yukon Parks and located at km 171.4 of the Robert Campbell Highway. The nightly fee at Frances Lake Campground, as at all Yukon Parks campgrounds, is around $12, and includes firewood. All campers must register (free of charge), bring their own toilet paper and firewood, and pack out their garbage when visiting.
While camping at this site, be sure to take in its rich history and unique wildlife. Enjoy the sounds of the ducks on Fish Lake as you prepare your fishing pole for a therapeutic day on the water. Later, arrive back at your campsite and cook some lunch in your Overland Yukon vehicle.
As evident, there is no shortage of adventure when camping in the Yukon. With an array of spectacular waterfront camping options in each region, it will be difficult to narrow down which campgrounds to stop at along the way. Luckily, with an Overland Yukon customizable itinerary, you will be able to visit for as long as you wish - and your chief exploration officer can help you determine what regions are best for you.
Visit the Overland Yukon website or send us a message on social media to start your adventure.