- Region
- Yukon, Canada
- Best season
- Spring, Summer
- Permits
- Confirm current permit, camping, and acces…
- Managed by
- Jointly administered by the Yukon territorial government and the Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin First Nation.
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Photos of Tombstone Territorial Park
How to get there
Access is from the Dempster Highway in central Yukon, near the highway’s southern end. The park extends from kilometre marker 50.5 to 115.0. The highway corridor contains the interpretive centre, several car-camping sites, and access to hiking trails.
- Dempster Highway corridor
The principal road-access corridor through the area. Numerous hiking trails enter the park from the one-kilometre roadside strip, which is excluded from the park itself.
- Interpretive centre
Located along the Dempster Highway corridor and open in summer. Stop here for backcountry information and interpretive programs before heading into the park.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Yukon, Canada · Season: Best: Late August - Early September
- Hunting
- Climbing
- Mountaineering
- Hiking
- Backpacking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Winter Camping
- Canoeing
The country
Characterized by towering, jagged syenite peaks, the park is a unique geological outlier within the rolling Yukon landscape. Permafrost shapes the valleys, giving rise to polygonal tundra formations and fragile alpine flora. The region is home to caribou herds, Dall sheep, and a high concentration of grizzly bears.
Why enthusiasts come
In late August, the tundra erupts in fiery reds and yellows, drawing serious backcountry photographers and rugged trekkers. The stark contrast of black pinnacles jutting from the colorful, treeless valleys provides a harsh but rewarding environment.
Top experiences
The backcountry route connecting Grizzly, Divide, and Talus Lakes offers an intense multi-day backpacking challenge over steep talus passes. Serious scramblers tackle the rugged, knife-edge ridges leading up to viewpoints around Tombstone Mountain.
Planner-relevant notes
Backcountry camping at the three main alpine lakes is strictly regulated; tent pads must be reserved months in advance. The terrain involves negotiating car-sized boulders and steep, loose scree, requiring heavy-duty mountaineering boots. Bear barrels are absolutely mandatory and will be checked by rangers before departure.
Field notes
- The 'trail' past Grizzly Lake is essentially a high-consequence boulder hop; heavily limit your pack weight to maintain balance.
- Weather shifts rapidly from hot sun to driving snow even in August; pack a full set of waterproof hardshells.
- Water from the alpine lakes must be boiled or heavily filtered, as glacial silt can quickly clog standard ceramic microfilters.
- Bug pressure in June and July is torturous; wait until the first frosts of late August for a much better experience.
Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon, Canada. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
Coordinates
- Decimal degrees
- 64.3833, -138.6500
- Latitude (DMS)
- 64° 22′ 59.9″ N
- Longitude (DMS)
- 138° 39′ 0.0″ W
Coordinates are an access-point reference for Tombstone Territorial Park, not a route. Carry a paper map and confirm trailhead or put-in access with the managing agency before you go.
Topic summary
Rugged black granite peaks contrast against vibrant autumn tundra, creating a dramatic backdrop for challenging off-trail backpacking and photography.
Key takeaways
- Region: Yukon, Canada
- Best season: Best: Late August - Early September
- Coordinates: 64.383, -138.650
Climate suitability
Best: Late August - Early September
Keep planning
Popular pursuits at Tombstone Territorial Park
- Hunting
Seasons, tags, and the units that hold animals.
- Climbing
Rock and alpine lines with approach beta.
- Mountaineering
Glacier and high-route objectives with real consequence.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Wildlife Viewing
Best light, best season, and where animals move.
Animals around Tombstone Territorial Park
Rugged peaks and a changing northern landscape
Tombstone Territorial Park protects more than 2,100 square kilometres of central Yukon, including parts of the Blackstone Uplands and the Ogilvie Mountains. Its landscape is not all sharp summits: rugged, glaciated terrain gives way to gentler ground shaped by permafrost. Tombstone Mountain, named for its resemblance to a grave marker, is one of the park’s defining features, alongside Mount Monolith and Glissade Pass. A watershed divide sends water toward either the Yukon River and Bering Sea or the Mackenzie River and Beaufort Sea. For visitors, that variety makes the park worth approaching as more than a mountain-view stop. Time along the Dempster Highway and time on foot offer different ways to understand the transition between peaks, uplands, and permafrost country.
Highway access and backcountry planning
The Dempster Highway is the main access corridor, with the park stretching from kilometre 50.5 to kilometre 115.0 near the highway’s southern end. Numerous hiking trails lead into the park from this corridor. The one-kilometre strip alongside the highway is excluded from the park itself and contains an interpretive centre and several car-camping sites. The centre opens in summer and provides backcountry information and interpretive programs, making it a useful first stop before leaving the road. Grizzly, Divide, and Talus Lakes have the park’s three designated backcountry campgrounds. Treat these as destinations requiring separate route planning rather than assuming they form a straightforward circuit. Confirm access requirements and current conditions with the park’s managing authorities before committing to an overnight itinerary.
Wildlife, sensitive ground, and cultural stewardship
Tombstone’s ecological diversity includes Dall’s sheep, caribou, moose, black bears, grizzly bears, and numerous smaller mammals. About 150 bird species have been identified here, giving wildlife watchers reasons to look beyond the skyline. Keep space between people and animals, and plan food storage and bear safety before camping. The landscape also calls for care underfoot: north of the watershed divide, permafrost features include pingos, ice-wedge polygons, and frost mounds, alongside evidence of former ice margins. Avoid disturbing these landforms. Established in 2000 as a legacy of the land settlement agreement with the Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin First Nation, the park protects physical, biological, archaeological, and cultural values. Its joint administration by the territorial government and the First Nation is central to understanding the place, not simply a detail of visitor management.
Route options
- Dempster Highway exploration
Use the highway corridor for a road-based visit, with the interpretive centre as an orientation stop and hiking trails providing opportunities to continue on foot. Several car-camping sites are located along the corridor.
- Grizzly Lake backcountry destination
Plan an overnight outing around the designated backcountry campground at Grizzly Lake. Obtain route and access guidance before departure; this destination listing is not a trail description.
- Divide and Talus Lakes backcountry destinations
Divide and Talus Lakes each have a designated backcountry campground. Consider them as possible overnight destinations when discussing an itinerary with park staff, without assuming a connecting route or fixed trip length.
Sample itineraries
- Dempster Corridor Introduction · 1 day
Explore Tombstone's Dempster Highway corridor. In summer, start at the interpretive centre for backcountry information and interpretive programs, then choose a hike suited to current conditions. Focus on the contrast between rugged peaks and permafrost-shaped terrain.
- Car-Camping and Day Hikes · 2 days
Use the car-camping sites along the Dempster corridor as a base for separate day hikes. Ask about suitable trails before setting out. Leave time to observe birds and study the park's mountain and upland landscapes without committing to a backcountry traverse.
- Landscape and Wildlife Weekend · 2 days
Spend two days exploring from the Dempster corridor, choosing outings around birdwatching and geology. Look for contrasts between glaciated mountain terrain and gentler permafrost landforms. Use binoculars for wildlife and avoid approaching animals or disturbing sensitive ground.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring transition
Plan conservatively around changing northern weather and ground conditions. Confirm trail and highway conditions before choosing an outing; do not assume the summer interpretive centre is operating.
Summer
Summer
Yukon summers bring very long daylight hours and warm days. The corridor's interpretive centre opens in summer. Mountain outings still call for insulating layers, weather protection, and a turnaround plan.
Fall
Fall transition
Allow for diminishing daylight and colder conditions as winter approaches. Keep hiking plans flexible and confirm services rather than relying on the interpretive centre outside summer.
Winter
Winter
Yukon winters have extremely short days and extreme cold. Treat outings as cold-weather undertakings requiring substantial insulation, emergency equipment, and conservative daylight planning. Confirm access before departure.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring transition | Plan conservatively around changing northern weather and ground conditions. Confirm trail and highway conditions before choosing an outing; do not assume the summer interpretive centre is operating. |
| Summer | Summer | Yukon summers bring very long daylight hours and warm days. The corridor's interpretive centre opens in summer. Mountain outings still call for insulating layers, weather protection, and a turnaround plan. |
| Fall | Fall transition | Allow for diminishing daylight and colder conditions as winter approaches. Keep hiking plans flexible and confirm services rather than relying on the interpretive centre outside summer. |
| Winter | Winter | Yukon winters have extremely short days and extreme cold. Treat outings as cold-weather undertakings requiring substantial insulation, emergency equipment, and conservative daylight planning. Confirm access before departure. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current permit, camping, and access requirements with the territorial park managing agency before travel.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- Rugged mountain terrain can make travel demanding. Choose hikes that match the group's navigation skills and fitness.
- Black bears and grizzly bears inhabit the park. Keep food secure, stay alert, and give bears ample space.
- Extreme winter cold and very short daylight create serious exposure risks.
- Permafrost-shaped ground can be uneven and sensitive to disturbance. Watch footing and avoid damaging landforms.
What to pack for Tombstone Territorial Park
- Layered insulating clothing
- Windproof and waterproof outer layers
- Sturdy hiking footwear
- Substantial cold-weather insulation for winter
- Map and compass
- Navigation device with offline mapping
- First-aid kit
- Emergency shelter
- Headlamp
- Binoculars
- Bear-safe food storage appropriate to agency guidance
- Water and water-treatment equipment
- Shelter and sleeping system suited to expected temperatures
Tombstone Territorial Park FAQ
- Where is Tombstone Territorial Park?
- The park lies in central Yukon near the southern end of the Dempster Highway, extending from kilometre marker 50.5 to 115.0. It protects more than 2,100 square kilometres, including parts of the Blackstone Uplands and Ogilvie Mountains.
- Where can visitors get hiking information?
- The interpretive centre along the Dempster corridor opens in summer and provides backcountry information and interpretive programs. Numerous hiking trails enter the park from this corridor.
- What camping options are described for the park?
- Several car-camping sites lie along the Dempster corridor. The three designated backcountry campgrounds are Grizzly, Divide, and Talus Lakes. Confirm requirements and route suitability with the managing agency before planning a stay.
- What makes the landscape distinctive?
- Glaciation created rugged mountain terrain beside areas that escaped glaciation. North of the watershed divide, gentler permafrost landscapes include pingos, moraines, ice-wedge polygons, and frost mounds. Named mountain features include Tombstone Mountain, Mount Monolith, and Glissade Pass.
- Who manages Tombstone?
- The park is jointly administered by the territorial government and the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation. Its creation was a legacy of their land settlement agreement, with a mandate to preserve and enhance physical, biological, archaeological, and cultural values.