How to Camp in the Yukon
Exploring the untouched scenery of the Yukon should be on everyone’s bucket lists! The best way to take in the vast landscape is by doing a road trip, staying in campgrounds, and exploring hikes, lakes, and rivers.
Camping in the Yukon is made easy with the Government of Yukon campgrounds and recreation sites. There are 42 territorial campgrounds across the Yukon and are open in early May until September 30. Here is what you need to know permits, registration, bear safety, the do’s and don’t’s, and where to go.
What kind of Campsites are There?
The Yukon Territorial Campgrounds largely consist of drive-in sites however there are a handful of backcountry campgrounds as well. The drive-in campsites can accommodate a tent, RV, camper, trailer, vehicles or other temporary moveable accommodation. The backcountry campgrounds vary on how to book, check out - https://yukon.ca/en/backcountry-campgrounds for more info.
How Do Permits and Registration Work?
Cost: drive-in campgrounds are $12 a night/per site.
All campsites are first come first serve and you are required to register your site using the campground permits. There is not an advanced campsite registration system.
Where to find permits?
You can find campground permits at the entrance of the campground or you can pick up prepaid campground vouchers to be used at any of the Yukon's territorial campgrounds. These can be purchased at several. Locations around the Yukon such as local outdoor goods stores, tourism shops or gas stations. The benefit of these is to you do not need to carry cash with you and you can use them at any territorial campsite.
How to Register?
When you are registering for a campsite, you will need to fill out a permit. Take one of the permits from the information kiosk, fill out the information such as your campsite number and how many nights you are staying. Once you have it filled out, separate the form at the perforated line, places the cash or a cheque in the envelope and into the payment box, then put the other sheet on your campsite post. If you are using the permit vouchers, follow the same steps but instead put your voucher in the payment box.
Tip! Arrive Early
Campgrounds in the Yukon tend to get busy on weekends (especially long weekends) but you can beat the rush if you come out on a Thursday or earlier to get first picks of the best sites. When the campgrounds are busy your best chances of finding an open campsite would be between 8 am to 11 am to catch someone packing up.
Please note: Kluane National Park Campgrounds are federally run and offer different pricing and rules see - https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/yt/kluane/activ/camping for more info.
What are the campsite Amenities?
Every campground is uniquely placed near lakes, creeks, rivers, mountain views or secluded forests. Each site has a variety of amenities, and you can expect to have a picnic table and fire pit at your campsite. The campgrounds all come with wood bins where you can collect wood for your campfire, take only what you need, outhouses, water (that you typically need to boil or filter), along with some additional amenities varying from wheelchair accessible campsites, bear proof food lockers, cook shelters, playgrounds, hiking trails, beaches, docks and more.
Bear Safety When Camping in the Yukon
In the Yukon, you are always in bear county, keeping a clean campsite is crucial. Never leave food out for longer than it needs to be. Some campgrounds will have bear-proof lockers where you store your food in if it’s best to keep food in a cooler inside of your vehicle and to always dispose of garbage in the bear proof garbage bins. Generally, you don’t need to be too worried about a bear in campgrounds because there’s lots of people and noise which tend to scare them away but it’s always good to mitigate the chances. It’s highly recommended to always carry bear spray with you wherever you go in the Yukon.
Can you have Camp Fires?
Campfires are a Yukon camping staple but please make sure you properly put out your campfire before leaving the site or heading to bed. To know if your fire is properly put out it should be cool to touch. Make sure you are aware of the fire safety risk (you will see lots of signs about the current fire conditions along the roads) and potential fire bans.
Where to Camp in the Yukon?
We definitely recommend hitting all the regions of the Yukon if time provides it! There are amazing campsite all across the Yukon, here is map of all the spots to visit.
The Campground Rules
Register each stay on-site.
Camp, park and drive only in designated areas.
You can only stay 14 nights in one campground in any 30-day period.
You cannot leave your campsite unoccupied for more than 24 hours.
Quiet hours are from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Limit use of generators and other noise at all times. • Use commercial dump stations for RV liquid waste. There are no dump stations at Government of Yukon campgrounds and recreation sites.
You cannot camp overnight at day-use and recreation sites.
Never feed or disturb wild animals.
Wildlife attractants must be stored inside a hard-sided vehicle, trailer, or locker at night and when you’re away during the day. Do not bring food or other attractants into a tent.
Put garbage and recycling in bear-proof bins or pack it out with you.
Stay on roads and established trails. Follow ATV rules for Yukon.
To use an aircraft or drone, you must get a park permit and follow Transport Canada rules.
See page 8 for rules on campfires and firewood.
Keep pets leashed. Pick up your pet’s waste and dispose of it in the bins provided.
Leave firearms packed away.
Rules from Government of Yukon - https://yukon.ca/sites/yukon.ca/files/env/env-guide-camping-yukon.pdf
Leave the Yukon the Way you Found it 💚
Follow the Leave No Trace Seven Principles to help preserve the beautiful landscapes for generations to continue to enjoy.
Plan Ahead and Prepare
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave What You Find
Minimize Campfire Impacts
Respect Wildlife
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Principles from Leave No Trace Canada - https://www.leavenotrace.ca/home
Lastly… Enjoy Your Visit!
With all that in mind, make sure you have fun, take in the landscape, and make memories. Take lots of photos! If you share any on social media make sure you tag @overlandyukon!