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National park · Canada

Tombstone Territorial Park

Drive the Dempster from Dawson City (about 1 h to the gate) and give it a full day: Goldensides for a 5 km return hill walk, or the 6 km return Grizzly Lake viewpoint if you have 3–4 h. No entry fee; the Dempster is gravel past km 8.

Not field-verifiedSome areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026
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From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

2,200 km²

approximate

Established

2000

Best months

Jun–Sep

UNESCO

None

Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
  • Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
  • Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.

At a glance

Country
Canada
Area
2,200 km²
Roughly 2,200 km² of the northern Ogilvie and Tombstone ranges; boundary figures vary by source (check).
Established
2000
Best months
Jun–Sep
Permits
For some areas

Tombstone Territorial Park protects about 2,200 km² of the northern Ogilvie and Tombstone ranges, where Arctic tundra, permafrost pingos and granite peaks sit within a road drive of Dawson City. The Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in have used this country for at least 8,000 years, and the park has been jointly managed by the Government of Yukon and the First Nation since it was established in 2000. There is no entrance fee and no lodge: you come for the day on the Dempster Highway, or you camp — 51 serviced sites beside the interpretive centre, or three permit-only backcountry lakes under Mount Monolith. The Dempster is paved for its first 8 km and gravel after that, there is no cell service, and the interpretive centre is staffed only from May to September.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

  • No UNESCO listing; national park since 2000.

Size and age

2,200 km² · national park since 2000

Roughly 2,200 km² of the northern Ogilvie and Tombstone ranges; boundary figures vary by source (check).

Why go

  • Tundra, permafrost pingos and granite peaks reachable by road, about 100 km from Dawson City.
  • Six maintained trails from a 500 m boardwalk to a 13 km one-way climb to Grizzly Lake.
  • Caribou, grizzly and Dall sheep country with no light pollution for hundreds of kilometres.
  • Jointly managed by the Government of Yukon and the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation since 2000.

When to go

12-month verdict
  1. JanAvoid
  2. FebAvoid
  3. MarCaution
  4. AprCaution
  5. MayGo
  6. JunBest
  7. JulBest
  8. AugBest
  9. SepBest
  10. OctCaution
  11. NovAvoid
  12. DecAvoid
  • JanDeep cold; visitor centre closed; no services
  • FebCold and dark; winter travel only with full kit
  • MarLong daylight returns; still winter conditions
  • AprCampground serviced from late April; snow on trails
  • MayCentre opens; snow patches, wet ground
  • JunLong days, wildflowers, all trails open
  • JulWarmest; mosquitoes at their worst
  • AugBerries, caribou moving; cool nights
  • SepFall colours on the tundra; first snow possible
  • OctCampground serviced to early October; centre closing
  • NovWinter; no services, short daylight
  • DecPolar night edge; only for prepared winter travellers

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year
Wildlife and nature calendar for Tombstone Territorial Park
WhatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Porcupine caribou herd (winters in the region)Oct–Apr · Migration timing shifts year to year; ask at the centre.yesyesyesyesnononononoyesyesyes
Hart River caribou herd (year-round)All yearyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Grizzly and black bearsMay–Oct · Carry bear spray and make noise on blind corners.nonononoyesyesyesyesyesyesnono
Dall sheep and mooseMay–Sepnonononoyesyesyesyesyesnonono
Birds, including gyrfalcon and golden eagleMay–Augnonononoyesyesyesyesnononono

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

How to get there

From Dawson City

Klondike Highway 2 east 40 km, then north on the Dempster Highway; the first 8 km of the Dempster are paved, the rest gravel.

1–1.5 h

From Whitehorse

Drive the Klondike Highway north to Dawson City, then the Dempster.

6.5–7.5 h

Open the page →

From Eagle Plains

Continue south on the Dempster from the Northwest Territories side.

3–4 h

From Inuvik

Full Dempster Highway drive south; fuel and food planning essential.

10–12 h

Zones and sectors

Zones of Tombstone Territorial Park
ZoneWhat is thereAccess
Interpretive centre and campground areaVisitor centre at km 71.5, Tombstone Mountain Campground, Beaver Pond and North Klondike River trails.Open with no entry fee; centre staffed May–September.
Goldensides and Grizzly Lake trailheadsThe two main day-hike starts along the Dempster south of the centre.Open; park at the signed pull-outs.
Backcountry lakesGrizzly, Divide and Talus lakes below Mount Monolith.Permit and reservation required; campfires banned.
Two Moose Lake and north endQuieter highway section with a lake viewpoint and fewer facilities.Roadside viewpoint only.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation
Sketch map of 11 approximate points in Tombstone Territorial Park, north up1234567891011
Approximate positions along the Dempster Highway from the junction to Two Moose Lake; for orientation only.
  1. 1Dawson City · Town≈64.060, -139.433Map ↗
  2. 2Dempster Highway junction (Hwy 2/Hwy 5) · Gate≈64.037, -139.170Map ↗
  3. 3Tombstone Interpretive Centre · Headquarters≈64.503, -138.220Map ↗
  4. 4Tombstone Mountain Campground · Sleep≈64.506, -138.220Map ↗
  5. 5Tombstone Range Viewpoint · Viewpoint≈64.523, -138.246Map ↗
  6. 6Goldensides Mountain trailhead · Trail≈64.531, -138.189Map ↗
  7. 7Grizzly Lake trailhead (km 58.5) · Trail≈64.519, -138.257Map ↗
  8. 8Grizzly Lake campsite · Sleep≈64.426, -138.465Map ↗
  9. 9Divide Lake campsite · Sleep≈64.452, -138.493Map ↗
  10. 10Talus Lake campsite · Sleep≈64.424, -138.569Map ↗
  11. 11Two Moose Lake viewpoint · Viewpoint≈64.735, -138.365Map ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

TrailsModerate2–3 hGoldensides Mountain Trail5 km return with about 215 m of gain; the trail stops at the base of the mountain, not the summit.
TrailsModerate3–4 hGrizzly Lake viewpoint6 km return from the km 58.5 trailhead; the shortest taste of real backcountry here.
TrailsHard6–9 hGrizzly Lake full trail13 km one way; rough, wet and poorly marked in places.Booking: Backcountry permit if you camp
TrailsEasy30–45 minBeaver Pond Interpretive Trail1 km loop from the interpretive centre; the park's wheelchair-accessible trail.
TrailsEasy15–20 minEdge of the Arctic Interpretive Trail500 m boardwalk-style loop near the centre, good for a first look at tundra plants.
ViewpointsEasy15 minTombstone Range ViewpointRoadside pull-out at about km 74, 3 km north of the centre; peaks of 1,800–2,000 m.
ViewpointsEasyNightNorthern lightsNo light pollution for hundreds of kilometres; late August to April needs only darkness and clear sky.

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

CAD ranges · check
Fees for Tombstone Territorial Park
ItemRangePerNote
Park entryFreepersonNo entrance fee for the territorial park (check).
Tombstone Mountain CampgroundCAD 20–30night2026 estimate per site; registration required.
Backcountry camping permitCAD 0–20person per night2026 estimate; reserve online before you arrive (check).
Fishing licenceCAD 20–40person2026 estimate; available at the interpretive centre (check).

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Backcountry camping permit or guide

Reserve online on the Yukon parks site, then collect the permit at the Tombstone Interpretive Centre (no Wi-Fi or cell service there).

Campground registration permit or guide

Self-registration or at the interpretive centre, km 71.5 Dempster Highway.

Fishing permit or guide

Yukon angling licence; ask at the interpretive centre.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more
Campfires in the backcountry
Banned at Grizzly, Divide and Talus lakes; use a stove.
Backcountry camping
Reservation and permit required; you cannot stay at Divide or Talus Lake on your first night.
Leave no trace
Pack out everything; a campsite should look untouched when you leave.
Wildlife
Do not feed or approach bears, caribou or sheep; store food out of reach.check
Dempster Highway driving
Gravel surface north of km 8; expect dust, washboard and truck traffic.

Where to stay

In the park

Tombstone Mountain Campground

51 sites 500 m north of the interpretive centre; serviced late April to early October; registration required.

In the park

Backcountry campsites (Grizzly, Divide, Talus lakes)

Three permit-only sites along the Grizzly Lake trail; no campfires.

Near the park

Dawson City

Hotels, hostels and campgrounds about an hour southwest; the only real lodging base.

Safety

No cell service or Wi-Fi high

Tell someone your plan and return time; carry a satellite messenger if going far.

Gravel-road breakdown medium

Carry a spare tyre, jack, extra fuel and water; traffic is sparse and help is far away.

Bears medium

Travel in groups, make noise, carry bear spray and know how to use it.

Cold and sudden weather medium

Even in July, bring layers, rain gear and a hat; snow can fall in any month.

Mosquitoes low

June and July are worst; bring repellent and a head net.

Accessibility

  • Beaver Pond Interpretive Trail is the park's wheelchair-accessible trail, starting at the interpretive centre.
  • The interpretive centre, campground and roadside viewpoints are reachable by car with short, level walks.
  • Goldensides, Grizzly Lake and all backcountry routes are rough and steep; not suitable for limited mobility.

Visiting lightly

  • Reserve backcountry sites so the park can cap use at the three lakes.
  • Use a stove instead of a fire in the backcountry; wood is scarce and slow to regrow here.
  • Keep to established trails on the tundra, which recovers very slowly from footprints.
  • Buy fuel, food and supplies in Dawson City so the money stays in the region.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Tombstone Territorial Park?

There is no entrance fee for the territorial park (check). You pay for camping instead: a site at Tombstone Mountain Campground is roughly CAD 20–30 per night (2026 estimate), and backcountry permits are a small per-person charge. Fishing needs a Yukon licence.

What are the best hikes in Tombstone Territorial Park?

For a half day, Goldensides Mountain Trail (5 km return, about 215 m of gain) or the 6 km return to the Grizzly Lake viewpoint. For a full day or an overnight, the 13 km one-way Grizzly Lake trail continues to Divide and Talus lakes. The easiest options are the 1 km Beaver Pond loop and the 500 m Edge of the Arctic trail at the interpretive centre.

When is the best time to visit Tombstone Territorial Park?

June to early September. June and July give the longest daylight and warmest weather but the worst mosquitoes; late August and early September bring tundra colours and fewer people. The campground is serviced from late April to early October, and the interpretive centre is staffed May to September.

Do I need a permit to camp?

Yes for the backcountry. Reserve online, then collect your permit at the Tombstone Interpretive Centre — there is no Wi-Fi or cell service there, so print your reservation. Campground stays also need registration.

Can I drive the Dempster Highway in a normal car?

Yes, with care. The first 8 km are paved and the rest is gravel; a standard car can manage it in dry conditions, but carry a spare tyre and expect dust, washboard and long gaps between services.

Is there anywhere to stay inside the park?

Only camping. Tombstone Mountain Campground has 51 sites near the interpretive centre, and there are three backcountry sites at Grizzly, Divide and Talus lakes. The nearest hotels are in Dawson City, about an hour away.

Can I see the northern lights here?

Yes. There is no light pollution for hundreds of kilometres, so any clear, dark night from late August to April can work. The visitor centre and campground close in winter, so you need your own winter setup.

Related

Canada travel guide National park passes

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

Sources