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How to Go Backpacking in Tombstone Territorial Park

Last updated on

July 15, 2026
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Interested in going backpacking in Tombstone Territorial Park? Youโ€™re in for a treat. This remote wilderness area in Canadaโ€™s northwestern Yukon territory features dramatic granite peaks, pristine tundra, and diverse wildlife, making it the perfect destination for backpackers. In this article, weโ€™ll cover how to get to the park, what to pack, our experience backpacking for 5 days, and more! Letโ€™s dive in!

Note: We use affiliate links which provide us a little kickback each time you use one of our links and make a purchase, without any additional cost to you. We do not recommend products that we donโ€™t already love or have heard great things about, so you can trust weโ€™re only suggesting great products to you.

Table of Contents

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  • โ„น๏ธ About Tombstone Territorial Park
  • ๐Ÿš— How to Get to Tombstone Territorial Park
  • ๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ Tombstone Territorial Park Map
  • Tombstone Territorial Park Day Hikes
  • ๐ŸŽ’ How to Go Backpacking in Tombstone Territorial Park
    • 1. Book Your Campgrounds
    • 2. Plan Your Itinerary
    • 3. Pack For Your Trip
    • 4. Check In at the Interpretive Center
  • ๐Ÿ•๏ธ Backpacking in Tombstone Territorial Park
    • Day 1 โ€“ Hiking from the Grizzly Lake Trailhead to Grizzly Lake
    • Day 2 โ€“ Grizzly Lake to Divide Lake
    • Day 3 โ€“ Talus Lake Day Hike from Divide Lake
    • Day 4 โ€“ Divide Lake to Grizzly Lake
    • Day 5 โ€“ Grizzly Lake to Grizzly Lake Trailhead
  • ๐ŸŒค๏ธ Tombstone Territorial Park Weather
  • ๐ŸŽ’Tombstone Backpacking Packing List
    • Backpacking & Safety Gear
    • Clothing
    • Camping & Cooking Materials
    • Backpacking Food
    • Dog Backpacking Gear
    • Backpacking Tech
    • Backpacking Gear
  • ๐Ÿฅพ More Things to Do in Tombstone Territorial Park
  • Read Next: How to Drive the Dempster Highway: Ultimate Road Trip Itinerary
  • Related Articles
  • Watch on YouTube
  • ๐Ÿ“Œ Pin this post

โ„น๏ธ About Tombstone Territorial Park

Tombstone Territorial Park, often called the โ€œPatagonia of the North,โ€ is celebrated for its jagged mountain peaks and vast tundra landscapes, reminiscent of the iconic South American range. The First Nations call this place Ddhรคl Chโ€™el Cha Nรคn, which means โ€œrugged mountain land.โ€ This Canadian park is free to explore, with no entrance fee, though a camping fee applies if you decide to stay at any of the park-run campgrounds (frontcountry or backcountry).

Wooden entrance sign for Tombstone Territorial Park with jagged mountain silhouette, displaying park name and First Nations name Ddhรคl Ch'el Cha Nรคn meaning "rugged mountain land," set against mountains and fall foliage
Entrance sign to Tombstone Territorial Park.

This parkโ€™s stunning landscapes draw backpackers from far and wide. Although there are a few easier day trails near the Visitor Center, backpacking trails here are far from a walk in the park, so proper gear and preparation are essential for a safe trip.

If youโ€™re interested in backpacking, youโ€™ll need to get a permit and follow rules like using bear-proof food storage and practicing Leave No Trace. Weโ€™ll cover all the nitty-gritty about backpacking in Tombstone in this article, as well as offer a few other things to do if you want easier alternatives.

Whether youโ€™re visiting for a day or embarking on a multi-day backpacking trip as we did, Tombstone is sure to captivate you. It quickly became one of our favorite highlights on the entireย Dempster Highway road trip!

๐Ÿ’š The park is located within the Traditional Territory of the Trโ€™ondรซk Hwรซchโ€™in First Nation. Along with the Yukon government, they help manage the land to this day.

Backpacker on the final day of the Tombstone trail with jagged granite peaks and tundra landscape in the background
Jen on Day 5 of our backpacking trip through Tombstoneโ€™s backcountry.
Dramatic granite peaks rising above a valley with golden fall tundra vegetation and a small stream in the foreground, showcasing Tombstone Territorial Park's distinctive jagged mountain landscape
Views of the iconic jagged peaks of Tombstone.

๐Ÿš— How to Get to Tombstone Territorial Park

Tombstone Territorial Park is located just off theย Dempster Highway, about a 1.5-hour drive north of Dawson City. We recommend preparing for your visit in Dawson City, where youโ€™ll find a variety of stores and supermarkets to stock up on supplies before heading into the park.

  • By car:ย The most common way to reach Tombstone is by driving to Dawson City before turning onto the Dempster Highway. The Dempster is mostly gravel and is known for being rough.
  • By plane: The nearest airport is Dawson City Airport (YDA), which has regular flights from larger cities like Whitehorse (YXY). From Dawson City, or from a farther-away airport, you can rent a vehicle to make your way to the park. Just make sure to inform the company that you plan on taking it onto the Dempster Highway.
  • By public transport: Public transportation options that take you all the way to Tombstone are limited. Some tour operators offer guided trips or even scenic flight tours from Dawson City during the summer season, but these need to be booked in advance.

Love finding cheap flights?ย 

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Weโ€™ve been members since 2015 and it has saved us thousands! The membership practically pays for itself if you use it once a year.

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ Tombstone Territorial Park Map

Weโ€™ve highlighted both day hikes, viewpoints from the Dempster Highway, nearest gas stations, and camping locations for backpacking in Tombstone Territorial Park.

How to use this map: We have saved the locations from this guide on this map. You can save this map to your Google Maps by pressing the star icon. In your Google Maps, click the menu icon and then Saved Maps, where this map will appear.

Tombstone Territorial Park Day Hikes

If an overnight backpacking trip doesnโ€™t pique your interest, you might consider exploring the parkโ€™s many day hikes. There are a variety of shorter trails that provide incredible views of the parkโ€™s jagged peaks, alpine lakes, and tundra. The most popular day hike is the Grizzly Trail to Monolith viewpoint, which takes hikers up to a viewpoint with views of Grizzly Lake. Some popular day hikes include:

Trail NameStart point on
Dempster
Highway
Hiking
time
(one-way)
Distance (one-way)Level
Beaver PondKm 71.5 1 hour 1 km (0.6 miles)Easy
Grizzly Trail to
Monolith
viewpoint
Km 58.5 2-4 hours 3 km (1.8 miles)Moderate to
Difficult
Edge of the
Arctic
Interpretive
Trail
Km 72 0.5 hour 0.5 km (0.3 mile)Easy
North Klondike River TrailKm 721-2 hours 1.6 km (1 mile)Easy to Moderate
Goldensides Mountain TrailKm 74.52-3 hours2.5 km (1.5 miles)Moderate
Information from Yukon.ca

With offline maps, wrong-turn alerts, and extra planning features, make the most of every outside adventure with AllTrails Plus. Get 7 days of AllTrails Plus for free!

๐ŸŽ’ How to Go Backpacking in Tombstone Territorial Park

Tombstone Parkโ€™s most popular, and only designated, backcountry route takes you to Grizzly Lake, Divide Lake, Talus Lake, and then back to the trailhead. This 48-km (30-mile) route can be completed in as little as 3 to 4 days, though we backpacked it over 5 days.

This trip includes an optional side trip from Grizzly Lake to Twin Lakes with a viewpoint of the highest point in the park, Mount Monolith at 2,165 meters (7,103 feet). Below, weโ€™ve detailed our experience day by day to give you an idea of what youโ€™re up against if you decide to tackle this rigorous route.

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Beyond this backpacking route, there are many more places to go backcountry exploring in Tombstone, though they might not have designated trails. Youโ€™ll still need to register your trip with the park rangers before setting out, and complete all the requirements that this other trip requires for your safety.

๐Ÿถ Although not explicitly encouraged, dogs are allowed on backpacking routes. If you decide to bring your dog with you, they must remain on a leash at all times.

Alpine tundra landscape with jagged granite peaks, scattered boulders, and low vegetation in shades of red, gold, and green under a partly cloudy sky in Tombstone Territorial Park
Views near Talus Lake in Tombstone Territorial Park.

1. Book Your Campgrounds

If you plan on camping at the established backcountry campgrounds, youโ€™ll need to reserve your campsites in advance on this website. There are only a limited number of sites per campground.

There is an option to wild camp away from these campgrounds, but youโ€™ll need to get the okay from rangers before setting out. Keep in mind that if you decide to wild camp, you lose out on services like pit toilets, protected eating areas, lockers for food, and easy water access.

Backcountry booking interface for Tombstone Territorial Park showing tabs for Frontcountry, Backcountry, and Group reservations, with fields to select arrival date, party size, tent pads, and entry point for planning backcountry camping trips
Backcountry booking page for Tombstone Territorial Park.

Reserving your campgrounds is a bit confusing, but essentially, you must book each campsite individually, booking Grizzly Lake โ€œinโ€ on the way in, and Grizzly Lake โ€œoutโ€ on the way out.

We booked our reservations in August, about 3 weeks out from our trip, and were refreshing and refreshing the Yukon Booking site to try and get any available dates for the hike. After a few days of looking, we were able to book a complete trip:

  • 1st night Grizzly Lake In
  • 2nd night Divide Lake
  • 3rd night Talus Lake
  • 4th night Grizzly Lake Out

We were thrilled with this at first because we not only were happy to get a spot, but we were also able to stay at each campground, which sounds good in theory. Youโ€™ll soon find out that we wish we had reserved spots in a different order.

The camping season in Tombstone is short (July-early September), and with climate change causing milder conditions later in the year, booking your stay as late in the season as your schedule allows can offer more temperate weather. As of 2026, the latest camping date is September 7th.

๐Ÿš Want to skip Grizzly Lake? We learned that Fireweed Helicopters offers camper drop-offs and pick-ups at Talus Lake, skipping Grizzly Lake, if you are interested.

Backpacking tent pitched at Divide Lake campground with jagged granite peaks and alpine lake in the background, surrounded by fall-colored tundra vegetation
Our tent setup at Divide Lake.

2. Plan Your Itinerary

There are many ways to shape your backpacking itinerary. Itโ€™s important to plan out your camping locations so you can book them in advance. We opted for a 5 day/4 night backpacking trip, but weโ€™ll also share a few other options that would be appealing:

Camping LocationOption 1: 4d/3nOption 2: 5d/4nOption 3: 6d/5nOption 4: 7d/6n
1st NightGrizzly LakeGrizzly LakeGrizzly LakeGrizzly Lake
2nd NightDivide or Talus LakeDivide or Talus LakeDivide LakeDivide Lake
3rd NightGrizzly LakeDivide or Talus LakeTalus LakeTalus Lake
4th NightGrizzly LakeDivide LakeDivide Lake
5th NightGrizzly LakeGrizzly Lake
6th NightGrizzly Lake โ€“ day trip to Twin Lakes

The exact itinerary we followed was:

  • 1st Night:ย Camp at Grizzly Lake
  • 2nd Night:ย Camp at Divide Lake
  • 3rd Night:ย Camp again at Divide Lake with a day hike to Talus Lake
  • 4th Night:ย Camp at Grizzly Lake

This plan allowed us not to pack up our tent and carry our food canisters during our day hike to Talus Lake. Another option would be to camp at Talus Lake for one night and then stop at Divide Lake before having to attempt Glissade Pass the following day. We also learned about a possible day hike from Grizzly Lake to Twin Lakes, ending at a viewpoint of the parkโ€™s highest point, Mount Monolith, at 2,165 meters (7,103 feet). Doing a day hike to Twin Lakes is best done by reserving another day at Grizzly Lake, either on your way in or out.

Ollie, the backpacking dog, rests at Divide Lake with jagged granite peaks and tundra landscape behind her
Ollie on Day 3 of our trip at Divide Lake.

3. Pack For Your Trip

The next order of business is to pack everything youโ€™ll need for your trip. One of the most important things youโ€™ll need is bear canisters, which are required to go on this hike. For a complete packing list, jump down to our Tombstone packing section, where weโ€™ve detailed everything you need to buy, rent, and bring with you for a comfortable and safe journey.

๐Ÿ” Keep in mind that how much food you need to pack depends on how many days you plan on being out backpacking. Thatโ€™s why itโ€™s important to plan your itinerary ahead of time.

Elliot backpacking in Tombstone Territorial Park wearing a yellow jacket, red backpack, and hiking poles, with dramatic granite peaks in the background
Elliot with all of his hiking gear in Tombstone Territorial Park.

4. Check In at the Interpretive Center

The day before you set out, you are required to watch some informational videos (like this video) about Tombstoneโ€™s backcountry as well as check in at the Interpretive Centre. This is not an easy backpacking trip, so they want to be sure youโ€™re aware of what youโ€™re getting yourself into.

Elliot holding up his backpacking permit in front of the Tombstone Interpretive Centre, a wooden building with blue trim
Elliot with our backpacking permit outside of the Tombstone Interpretive Centre.

At the office, the ranger brought out some documents showing the elevation pitch of Glissade Pass and gave us some general tips. She said, โ€œYouโ€™ll get to the top, then laugh and cry as you wonder how anyone travels down.โ€ She also checked that we had our bear canisters and gave us our backpacking pass, which shows which location (Grizzly, Divide, or Talus) we were supposed to stay at each night.

The ranger was very clear that we were hiking in difficult territory at our own risk. The weather is tough and the terrain unforgiving, so if you find yourselves uncertain or in danger, you donโ€™t have to hike to your reserved spot. Itโ€™s better to be safe than require an airlift.

Elliot viewing an interpretive display about Richardson Mountain and caribou at the Tombstone Interpretive Centre
Elliot reading about the park in the Interpretive Centre.

After we finished up at the Interpretive Centre, we camped in our van in the parking lot as we prepared our bags for the next day! Below, weโ€™ve detailed our experience hiking this challenging trail day-by-day.

๐Ÿ•๏ธ Backpacking in Tombstone Territorial Park

In the following sections, weโ€™ll take you through our five-day backpacking journey in Tombstone Territorial Park, breaking down each dayโ€™s hike, challenges, and highlights. Below, youโ€™ll see the full hiking route of the Grizzly Lake, Divide Lake, and Talus Lake Trail, which we downloaded to our phones in advance using AllTrails+.

Day 1 โ€“ Hiking from the Grizzly Lake Trailhead to Grizzly Lake

Strava hike recording for Day 1 from Trailhead to Grizzly Lake: 8.03 miles, 4 hours 41 minutes, 3,054 feet elevation gain
๐Ÿงก Follow our Day 1 hike on Strava

Our first day started sunny but cool. This was our longest and most challenging day as we were carrying our packs at their heaviest (all our food for the week and a full dayโ€™s water was inside). The trail quickly proved tougher than expectedโ€”not just in distance, but in terrain.

Jen hiking on a wooden boardwalk through boreal forest with her backpack at the start of the Tombstone Territorial Park backpacking trip
Jen upon setting out on our backpacking trip.

Much of the path was talus: medium to large boulders that required careful, deliberate steps and hands-on scrambling. Keeping our balance on large rocks is challenging. Elliot had the extra challenge of balancing our dog, Ollie, as we kept her leash tied to his waist strap. Overall, this was fine since Ollie listens to our commands and does really well on hikes, but if something had distracted her, it could have ended poorly.

Jen and Ollie scrambling over talus on the Grizzly Lake Trail in Tombstone Territorial Park, with jagged mountain peaks visible in the distance
Jen and Ollie scrambling over talus.
Hiker's boots on a talus field of large, angular gray boulders on the Tombstone backpacking trail
Up close view of the talus path.
Elliot and Ollie standing on an alpine trail surrounded by fall foliage with jagged mountain peaks and forested valleys in the background
Elliot and Ollie taking in the alpine views.

We crossed paths with our first park ranger during lunch, who checked our permit and reminded us of the rules, like keeping Ollie leashed. Like all Canadians, he was super kind and friendly. There are two water sources on the Grizzly Lake Trail, the first at 1.25 km (0.78 miles) and the second at 6 km (3.7 miles) from the trailhead.

Elliot using a water filter to refill a bottle while backpacking in Tombstone's tundra landscape with mountains in the background
Elliot filtering some water on the trail.
Elliot with orange backpack and dog Ollie on leash hiking through tundra landscape with stream, rocks, and mountains in Tombstone Territorial Park
Elliot and Ollie walking past a small stream.
Grizzly Lake nestled in a valley surrounded by jagged granite peaks and golden tundra in Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon
View of Grizzly Lake and Mount Monolith in the distance.

After a grueling 8 miles (~13 km) and over 7 hours on the trail, we finally reached Grizzly Lake Camp just as temperatures were starting to drop sharply. The park ranger told us ahead of time that the first day is the hardest individual day of the entire trip because of the elevation you tackle, and we completely agree! By the time we reached camp, we were exhausted!

Elevation profile for Grizzly Trail from parking lot to Grizzly Lake, showing 10.8 km distance with 700 m elevation gain, peak at 1,650 m marked with red star, and difficulty notes: strenuous with steep, unstable terrain including boulder fields, side-hilling, and talus slopes
Source: Yukon.ca

Each camper reservation has one tent pad to call their own. The specific tent pads are available on a first-come, first-served basis among campers. Campers are not supposed to set up their tent off the tent pads to help minimize impact on the tundra environment. Once you set up your tent, youโ€™re supposed to attach your backpacking permit to your tent so the park rangers can ensure the campers are where theyโ€™re supposed to be.

We quickly set up our tent as the light was fading and stored our bear can in the bear-proof lockers. This included our food, cooking gear, and all of our scented items (deodorant, toothpaste, lip balm, etc). Eating and cooking are only permitted in the covered tent area to protect local wildlife and minimize impact.

White tent pitched on a wooden tent pad surrounded by low yellow tundra vegetation, with jagged granite peaks and another tent visible in the background at Grizzly Lake campground in Tombstone Territorial Park
Our camp setup at Grizzly Lake campsite.
Backcountry campground at Tombstone showing bear-proof food storage canisters in foreground, covered eating tents in background, and jagged mountain peak beyond
Gray water canisters, bear lockers, and eating tents.
Jen eating her backpacking dinner in a covered tent area in the Tombstone wilderness with a mountain peak visible in the background.
Jen enjoying dinner in the covered tent area.

Day 2 โ€“ Grizzly Lake to Divide Lake

Strava hike recording for Day 2 from Grizzly Lake to Divide Lake in Tombstone Territorial Park: 4.59 miles, 2 hours 48 minutes moving time, 1,677 feet elevation gain
๐Ÿงก Follow our Day 2 Hike on Strava

Day two, we awoke to snow covering the tent and the campground! It was beautiful, yet a little worrisome, as today we would have to cross Glissade Pass, the steepest trail we would have ever attempted. Adding snow and possibly ice to the mix was very intimidating with our current hiking capacity.

Snow-covered tent on a designated tent pad at Grizzly Lake Campground, with snow-dusted tundra vegetation and granite peaks in the background under overcast skies
Snow on our tent on the morning of day two at Grizzly Lake Campground.

We were also incredibly cold. We wore every layer of warm clothing we brought, and it was still not quite enough. I was particularly worried about getting hypothermia from being wet from the snow or potential rain and the freezing temperatures. Next time, weโ€™d invest in rain pants (womenโ€™s | menโ€™s), upgrade our lightweight base layers to warmer ones (womenโ€™s | menโ€™s), invest in warmer hiking mitts, and, most importantly, weโ€™d bring a jacket for Ollie.

However, we had an important decision to make. Do we carry on or turn around with the knowledge that we just simply werenโ€™t prepared? We tossed it up all morning, but after the sun came out and the snow melted, our Garmin inReachโ€™s weather forecast (which a park ranger told us isnโ€™t the most accurate) mentioned the coldest time of our entire trip had passed, so we decided to keep hiking.

Jen hiking through rocky alpine terrain with yellow tundra vegetation toward Glissade Pass, with fog-shrouded granite peaks in the background
Jen on the morning of Day 2 heading up to Glissade Pass.
Trail markers at Glissade Pass trailhead, with a rusty directional sign pointing left and a weathered "TRAIL HEAD" sign among golden fall vegetation and rocky terrain
The sign on the left pointing to Glissade Pass.
Hiker in orange jacket descending steep scree slope of Glissade Pass with dramatic mountain valley and peaks in background
Heading down Glissade Pass through the scree.

Hiking up Glissade Pass was a slogโ€”between the incline and the loose rock called scree; we were hiking very slowly. A few areas were so steep that we were on our hands and knees! Keep in mind that we hiked hundreds of miles this year, and we still had a challenging time on this trailโ€”it isnโ€™t for the faint of heart.

However, getting to the top was actually not the worst part; once we saw over the edge, we seriously considered, for the second time, turning around. The steepness of Glissade Pass was the section the park ranger warned us about when giving us our backcountry permit.

Elevation profile of Grizzly Lake to Divide Lake route showing Glissade Pass peak at 1,800 meters with steep talus slope descent; 4โ€“6 hours one-way with unstable terrain
Source: Yukon.ca

It was such a steep ledge, we thought it wasnโ€™t possible. If it werenโ€™t for the people already hiking ahead of us, we probably wouldnโ€™t have attempted it. On top of everything, it was extremely loose rock. We thought that weโ€™d just slip and slide down the mountain with our heavy packs and that would be it.

Steep scree-covered mountain pass with jagged rock outcrops, the most challenging section of the Tombstone backcountry trail where hikers must carefully descend loose rock
View of Glissade Pass, which will live in infamy.
Hiker descending steep scree slope of Glissade Pass in Tombstone Territorial Park, with alpine valley and tundra landscape visible below
Jen making her way slowly down Glissade Pass.
Jen smiling at Glissade Pass, holding hiking poles with a backpack, standing on rocky terrain with a sign showing elevation 1,768 meters (5,800 feet)
Jen at Glissade Pass at 1,768 meters (5,800 feet).

Heading down Glissade Pass, we took short, careful steps as each step turned into a few more feet as we would slide down. We ended up splitting our hiking poles between the two of us. It would have been better for us to each have our own pair, but we can not recommend having hiking poles enough for this section. They were incredibly helpful!

Unfortunately, we hadnโ€™t had the experience to know that this was actually very normal, and a type of rock called โ€œscreeโ€. Later, some other hikers would explain to lean into the scree instead of fighting it, which really helped us enjoy it.

๐Ÿ’ก Note that earlier in the season, this scree side of the mountain is covered with snow, so be prepared for that alternative here. You might consider bringing microspikes.

Elliot and Ollie on the tundra trail after descending Glissade Pass, with rocky stream and mountains in background
Elliot and Ollie after crossing Glissade Pass.
Hiker with backpack on tundra valley trail between rocky slopes, with stream and jagged mountain peaks in distance under cloudy sky
Hiking the flatter miles before Divide Lake.
Divide Lake surrounded by dramatic granite peaks, tundra vegetation with yellow flowering shrubs in foreground, and cloudy sky in Tombstone Territorial Park
We finally reached Divide Lake!

After the long and grueling hike down (for us), itโ€™s a relatively โ€œflatโ€ few miles until Divide Lake. It was here that we made some fantastic friends on the trailโ€”Rhonda and Luis, from Alberta, who kindly took us under their wing. They explained what scree was, ate dinner with us, and we ended up spending quite a few hours together over the course of the trip.

Because the campgrounds are small and have communal eating areas, you actually meet quite a few people. Since you all are going through the trials and tribulations of Tombstone together, no matter the hikerโ€™s background, itโ€™s quite easy to bond with everyone you meet.

White tent pitched on a designated tent pad at Divide Lake campground in Tombstone Territorial Park, surrounded by golden fall tundra vegetation with jagged granite peaks and a lake visible in the background
Our setup at Divide Lake campground.
Covered eating shelter at Divide Lake campground with wooden platform, picnic table, and canvas roof, set against tundra landscape and jagged mountain peaks
Views of the covered eating area at Divide Lake.
Dog resting on red sleeping bag inside tent during Tombstone backpacking trip, with hiker petting her
Ollie taking a much-deserved nap.

Day 3 โ€“ Talus Lake Day Hike from Divide Lake

On day 3, we opted for a day hike to Talus Lake from Divide Lake for a total of 9.3 miles round trip. Originally, our reservation had us at Talus Lake, but we were worried about rainy weather the following day when we had to cross Glissade Pass again.

I was particularly worried since we didnโ€™t have rain pants, that we would get cold. A day trip is a nice option to still get the opportunity to see Talus Lake, but not have to take down and set up our tent and carry our backpacks for that hike.

Strava activity log for Day 3 hike from Divide Lake to Talus Lake roundtrip, showing 9.30 miles, 4 hours 9 minutes moving time, and 1,427 feet elevation gain
๐Ÿงก Follow our Day 3 Hike on Strava

As we didnโ€™t need to move our pack, we took a long day hike today out to Talus Lake and back, which was gorgeous. There was a bit of rain in the morning, but overall it was an incredibly beautiful day.

Two hikers with arms outstretched stand on tundra with a small dog, dramatic jagged granite peaks rising behind them under a cloudy sky
Making our way out to Talus Lake on Day 3.

On our way back, we crossed paths with a second park ranger of the trip. We brought it up to him that we had changed our plans, and he said that if the campsites became full with hikers, we would need to move our tent off the tent pad onto an area outside the campground where a helicopter typically lands. Luckily there were some free tent sites, which meant we didnโ€™t need to move our tent.

Backpacker hiking over rocky talus terrain with dramatic jagged granite peaks and tundra landscape in the distance in Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon
The hike out to Talus Lake.
Tent pad at Talus Lake Campground with dramatic granite peak and tundra landscape in Tombstone Territorial Park
Talus Lake Campground.
Person jumping on tundra with arm raised, dramatic jagged peaks and fall foliage in background during Day 3 of backpacking trip in Tombstone Territorial Park
Jumping for joy on Day 3!
Alpine lake surrounded by jagged granite peaks, tundra vegetation, and patches of snow in a mountain cirque in Tombstone Territorial Park
Views of an unnamed lake on our way to Talus Lake.

This is by far the easiest day of the trip with the least amount of elevation change. So not only is it beautiful, but the ease of the hike makes it incredibly enjoyable on all fronts.

Elevation profile for the day hike from Divide Lake to Talus Lake, showing a gradual climb to approximately 1,500 meters over 6.1 kilometers
Source: Yukon.ca

Each campground has an outhouse, and this one was our favorite. The views were incredible as they overlooked a valley.

Outhouse at Divide Lake Campground with panoramic views of tundra and jagged mountain peaks in Tombstone Territorial Park
An outhouse at Divide Lake Campground.
Outhouse at Divide Lake Campground overlooking a vast tundra valley with jagged mountain peaks in the distance and fall foliage in gold and brown tones
The view from the outhouse at Divide Lake Campground.

Day 4 โ€“ Divide Lake to Grizzly Lake

With a clearer forecast on the morning of Day 4, we made our way back over Glissade Pass. This time we were hiking up the scree! As we had already done it once, we felt more prepared and secure in our footing thanks to the advice by Rhonda and Louis. We made sure to head out early to miss the inclement weather expected later in the day.

Elliot and dog Ollie hiking on tundra trail with jagged granite peaks and alpine lake in background, Tombstone Territorial Park
Elliot and Ollie on their way back to Glissade Pass.
Hikers descending Glissade Pass on loose scree with rocky outcrops and patches of snow visible on the mountainside
Looking down Glissade Pass, where we had just come up.
Ollie, a dog wearing an orange and black jacket and harness, stands on a high mountain ridge overlooking a vast valley with jagged peaks, tundra, and a winding stream in Tombstone Territorial Park
Ollie was taking in the views of Glissade Pass, impressed by her own accomplishment of having climbed up it.

We slowly made our way up, with many stops along the way to catch our breath, and made it back to Grizzly Lake camp just as the rain was starting to fall. This would be our last cold night, but eating and chatting with our friends made the night so much more enjoyable.

It was at this point that we realized just how swollen Elliotโ€™s knee was. We always make sure to carry our first aid kit and his knee brace for situations like these. Elliot ended up wearing his knee brace every day on this hike, and itโ€™s what allowed him to keep going.

Backpacker with teal pack and hiking poles on tundra trail overlooking Grizzly Lake, surrounded by jagged granite peaks and alpine tundra landscape in Tombstone Territorial Park
Jen, upon reaching Grizzly Lake again.
Tents pitched at Grizzly Lake Campground surrounded by golden tundra vegetation with jagged granite peaks and a lake in the background
Back at Grizzly Lake Campground.

On our final night, we were graced with an incredible sighting of the northern lights!

Northern lights display in shades of green and purple above a tent at Grizzly Lake Campground, with jagged mountain silhouettes framing the sky
Northern lights outside of our tent at Grizzly Lake Campground.
Strava hike recording for Day 4 from Divide Lake to Grizzly Lake in Tombstone Territorial Park, showing 4.57 miles, 2 hours 55 minutes moving time, and 1,663 feet elevation gain
๐Ÿงก Follow our Day 4 Hike on Strava

Day 5 โ€“ Grizzly Lake to Grizzly Lake Trailhead

With the lightest our packs had ever been, we packed up camp and hiked out of Tombstone Territorial Park. This was our easiest hiking day yet. Looking back on it, we felt days 1 and 2 were the most difficultโ€”meaning the trip more-or-less gets easier as it progresses.

Tent and solar panel at Grizzly Lake Campground with tundra and jagged mountain peaks in Tombstone Territorial Park under clear blue sky
Leaving Grizzly Lake Campground for the last time.
Tombstone Territorial Park landscape with jagged granite peaks, yellow fall tundra vegetation, and a stream under clear blue skies on the final day of the backpacking trip
Leaving Tombstone with beautiful blue skies.
Jen hiking on the final stretch of the Tombstone backcountry trail with a full backpack, dramatic jagged peaks visible behind her
Jen on the final few miles of the trail.

Upon arriving back, we immediately took hot showers and enjoyed some well-deserved rest days before driving the entire Dempster Highway up to Tuktoyaktuk the following week!

This trip really hooked us on backpacking. Between being outside of cell service, experiencing the challenge of hiking with everything we needed for 5 days, actually living in the raw beauty of Tombstone National Park, and the rewarding feeling of having completed something so challenging, we couldnโ€™t wait for our next trip!

Leave any comments or questions about this multi-day backpacking trip below this article. Weโ€™d be happy to answer anything we can. And if you have a backpacking trip you think we should do next, let us know!

Strava activity record for Day 5 hike from Grizzly Lake to Trailhead in Tombstone Territorial Park showing 7.54 miles, 4 hours 17 minutes moving time, and 1,483 feet elevation gain
๐Ÿงก Follow our Day 5 Hike on Strava

๐ŸŒค๏ธ Tombstone Territorial Park Weather

If Tombstone Territorial Park is known for one thing, itโ€™s fickle weather. Summer months can often have snow still on the ground, and the mountains can create their own microclimate that changes very quickly. Even in the dead of summer, you can experience sun, rain, and snow all in one tripโ€”this is what happened to us. That being said, the summer is still going to be the most popular time to visit the park. Here are the exact months we recommend going to Tombstone:

Best time to visit Dawson City, Canada

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor
โ›…Partly cloudy
-16ยฐC 3ยฐF
Jan (January)
๐ŸŒคMostly sunny with a few clouds
-16ยฐC 4ยฐF
Feb (February)
๐ŸŒคMostly sunny with a few clouds
-4ยฐC 24ยฐF
Mar (March)
๐ŸŒคMostly sunny with a few clouds
5ยฐC 41ยฐF
Apr (April)
๐ŸŒคMostly sunny with a few clouds
14ยฐC 57ยฐF
May (May)
๐ŸŒคMostly sunny with a few clouds
21ยฐC 70ยฐF
Jun (June)
๐ŸŒคMostly sunny with a few clouds
23ยฐC 73ยฐF
Jul (July)
๐ŸŒคMostly sunny with a few clouds
20ยฐC 68ยฐF
Aug (August)
๐ŸŒคMostly sunny with a few clouds
12ยฐC 54ยฐF
Sep (September)
๐ŸŒคMostly sunny with a few clouds
2ยฐC 35ยฐF
Oct (October)
โ›…Partly cloudy
-11ยฐC 13ยฐF
Nov (November)
โ›…Partly cloudy
-19ยฐC -3ยฐF
Dec (December)
Weather data for Dawson City, Canada via Openโ€‘Meteo
  • Summer (mid-July to mid-August): Although it is summer, there may still be snow or ice on the trails in early to mid July. August is the peak summer season.
  • Fall (mid-August to early-September): During the fall, Tombstone transforms into a display of gold, orange, and red tones as fall foliage sets in. There is also a heightened chance for you to catch the Northern Lights starting this season. We recommend downloading theย My Aurora Forecast & Alerts appย to check the forecast before visiting.
Bright green and purple northern lights dancing across the night sky above silhouetted mountains and tundra, with a tent visible in the foreground at Grizzly Lake Campground
The Northern Lights from just outside our tent at Grizzly Lake Campground on our last night.

๐ŸŽ’Tombstone Backpacking Packing List

Weโ€™ve broken down everything we packed (and missed) on our 5-day backpacking trip in Tombstone. One of the main things we regretted not packing was more warm clothesโ€”we actually considered turning back because of how cold we were on the first nightโ€”so donโ€™t be fooled by the daytime temps! Tombstoneโ€™s weather is known to change on a dime, so being prepared for a variety of weather conditions is essential.

Elliot hiking on Day 1 with a full red backpack, looking up at dramatic jagged peaks and tundra landscape of Tombstone Territorial Park
Elliot on Day 1 of the hike.
Bear spray holster attached to hip belt of backpacker wearing down jacket, with mountain landscape in background
Itโ€™s essential to keep bear spray on your hip for easy reach.

Backpacking & Safety Gear

  • Backpacking Bag: We carried these bags (Elliotโ€™s 50L bag and Jenโ€™s 50L bag), but wish we had 65L bags (womenโ€™s | menโ€™s) instead, since our 5-day trip carrying a bear canister each was a lot of stuff. Our 50L bags had difficulty fully closing.
  • Bear Canister/s: Youโ€™ll need to fit everything that has a scent into bear canisters during the entirety of your backpacking trip. This not only includes food but also toothpaste, deodorant, and anything else that could attract animals. As we were hiking with 5 days/4 nights of food, plus our dog Ollieโ€™s food, we needed to get a second bear canister. Fortunately, we found a second bear canister for rent in Dawson City. It cost us $21 CA or about $15.30 USD for 4 nights. To make sure everything you plan on taking fits, pack your bear canister a day before your trip. The ranger will check your canister before they issue you a permit.
  • Bear Spray: Buy here or rent from a place in Dawson City.
  • Rain Cover: We always carry a rain cover to protect our pack if it rains and weโ€™re glad we did because we used our rain covers when it snowed.
  • Hiking Poles: We brought just one set of hiking poles, although we should have brought a second. They came in super handy navigating the Talus rock and scree on Glissade Pass.
  • Headlamps:ย Donโ€™t forget a reliableย headlampย for hands-free light after dark and before first light.
  • First Aid Kit: A first aid kit is always good to have just in case, even if for others on the trail.
  • Multitool: We carry this multitool with us as part of our 10 essentials.
Elliot wearing a bright yellow rain jacket and gray beanie, standing on rocks beside an alpine lake with misty granite peaks and tundra in the background
Elliot was happy to have brought his rain jacket.

Clothing

  • Sunglasses:ย Protect your eyes with a reliable pair ofย sunglasses.
  • Hats:ย A good sun hat is essential; we recommend thisย REI Sunday Afternoons hat and a beanie for when it gets cool at night.
  • Merino Wool Long-Sleeve:ย Comfortable and moisture-wicking, thisย menโ€™s Smartwool merino long sleeveย is a great base layer; hereโ€™s the womenโ€™s version.
  • Fleece Pullover: Jen has been wearing this fleece for 8 years and still loves it, whereas Elliot loves this fleece pullover.
  • Down Jackets:ย Stay warm during chilly nights with a qualityย down jacket.
  • Rain Jacket:ย Stay dry with a dependable rain jacket, such as thisย REI menโ€™s Patagonia rain jacket or this REI womenโ€™s Patagonia rain jacket.
  • Hiking Pants: Jen loves these hiking pants because theyโ€™re super flexible and Elliot loves these hiking pants for their durability.
  • Rain Pants:ย We wish weโ€™d brought rain pants to hike in addition to hiking pantsโ€”theseย REI menโ€™s Trailmade rain pantsย are a solid choice. Hereโ€™s the womenโ€™s version. It rained one afternoon on our hike, and thankfully, we made it to camp in time. If we had gotten wet from the rain, our clothes would have been soaked for the night in temperatures below freezing.
  • Undergarments: Bring your most comfortable undergarments, i.e., sports bras, Smartwool socks, underwear, etc. We also recommend a warm base layer to wear under your pants at night, like these thermal leggings for women. Hereโ€™s the version for men.
  • Hiking Shoes: Jen wore these sturdyย REI womenโ€™s Danner hiking bootsย for support and durability, while Elliot preferred lightweight trail runners like theseย Altra Lone Peak 9 shoes.
  • Camp Shoes:ย We didnโ€™t bring camp shoes, but we highly recommend theseย comfortable camp shoesย for relaxing at camp.
Hiker using a water filter to fill a bottle from a stream in Tombstone Territorial Park, with jagged mountain peaks in the background
Jen filtering water from the stream.
Katadyn BeFree water filter bottle held up in a hand wearing a yellow jacket, with mountains and tundra in the background
Our BeFree Water Filter.

Camping & Cooking Materials

  • Backpacking Tent:ย Our reliable shelter was this lightweightย backpacking tent.
  • Sleeping Pads:ย For a comfortable nightโ€™s rest, we used these cushionedย sleeping pads.
  • Sleeping Bags:ย Staying warm was easier with our insulatedย sleeping bags.
  • Camping Pillows:ย Small but adds extra comfort, we brought along these compactย camping pillows.
  • Jetboil Stove:ย Quick and efficient cooking was possible thanks to ourย Jetboil stove. Dontโ€™ forget to bring sufficient fuel.
  • Long Sporks: This lightweight titanium spork is long so it can scoop up food in the dehydration bags without getting your hands covered with food.
  • Camp Suds: This is what we used to clean our hands using soap.
  • Water Bottles:ย For hydration, we brought durableย 48oz Nalgene water bottles. Typically, on day hikes, we love using water bladders for their convenience, but for backpacking, we prefer a water bottle in our side pocket.
  • Water Filters:ย We used two water filtersโ€”one primary and one backupโ€”to refill at key points on the trail (KM 1.5 and 6.1). Our main filter was theย Katadyn BeFree AC-1 bottle, with a backupย Sawyer Squeeze system.
  • Toiletries
Backpacking food and bear canisters laid out on a wooden table, including freeze-dried meals, protein bars, meat sticks, and two bear canisters (one blue, one black) for storing scented items during the Tombstone backpacking trip
Some of the food we brought with us, plus our bear canisters.
Packaged dog food and treats for a 5-day backpacking trip, including kibble in a large bag and chicken treats in a smaller bag
Ollieโ€™s food for 5 days.

Backpacking Food

This is everything we packed for food! You can tailor it to your personal preferences, but to give you an idea of what we ate. Keep in mind that you want lighter-weight options (no cans) as youโ€™re carrying it all.

  • Chomp Meat Sticks:ย We packed 10 of these high-proteinย Chomp meat sticksย for quick snacks.
  • Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups:ย A sweet treat on the trailโ€”10ย dark chocolate peanut butter cups.
  • Protein Bars:ย We carried 10 protein-packedย Cliff Barsย for energy boosts.
  • PBJ Sandwiches:ย Two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for our first lunch on the trail.
  • Backpacking Dinners:ย We brought 10 freeze-dried backpacking meals (plus 2 extras) for easy dinnersโ€”check them outย here.
  • Backpacking Breakfasts:ย Four freeze-dried breakfasts (we shared one to save costs)โ€”similar options availableย hereย (look for the breakfast version).
  • Homemade Oatmeal Packets:ย We made four homemade oatmeal packets using bulk oats, sugar, and protein powder, packed in plastic bags. We cooked these in our empty backpacking breakfast containers after we finished that.
  • Electrolytes: We love these electrolytes!

Dog Backpacking Gear

  • Pet Food:ย For Ollie, we packed five daysโ€™ worth of meals plus one extra and a large chicken treat per day to keep her happy on the trail!
  • Cold-weather jacket: We completely forgot to bring Ollieโ€™s dog jacket with us. It would have kept her warmer in the colder temperatures and given me a better piece of mind.
  • Dog Booties: With the snow and freezing temperatures, we should have packed dog booties for Ollie. I think it would have made the cold temperatures on the rocks, scree, and boulders a lot more enjoyable for her.
  • Collapsible Dog Bowl: We brought Ollieโ€™s collapsible dog bowl for her to drink water and eat her meals from. We bought ours from a thrift store, but this one would also work great and is super lightweight!
  • Emergency Dog Carrier: One thing that crossed our mind when we were on the trail was if Ollie got hurt, we would have to carry her out, which would be extremely difficult while also carrying our packs. While we didnโ€™t have this emergency dog carrier on the trail, we invested in it afterward since we have an older dog and want to be prepared.
Garmin inReach Mini 2 satellite communicator with red and black casing, held in hands during backcountry use
Our Garmin inReach Mini 2.

Backpacking Tech

  • Garmin inReach:ย For safety and weather updates, even when outside of cell service, we relied on theย Garmin inReach Mini 2. We highly recommend investing in one of these if you are going backpacking in Tombstone.
  • Offline Maps:ย We preloaded our route on our phones using AllTrails Pro to access the trail map offline.
  • Cameras:ย To capture the stunning scenery, we brought our Canon R5 and Canon R6 with RF 15-35mm and RF 24-70mm lenses.
  • Battery Banks:ย Keeping devices charged on the trail was easy with two reliableย Anker portable battery banks.
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๐Ÿฅพ More Things to Do in Tombstone Territorial Park

Tombstone Territorial Park has so much more to offer for anyone who loves the outdoors. Whether youโ€™re up for some day hikes, wildlife spotting, or learning about the areaโ€™s culture, thereโ€™s plenty to keep you busy. Here are the main things to do other than backpacking in Tombstone:

  • Tombstone Range Viewpoint:ย A quick stop for breathtaking views of the parkโ€™s jagged peaks, a quick photo, and to stretch your legs.
  • Drive the Dempster Highway:ย Continue your journey north on this scenic highway all the way to the Arctic Ocean for more wild Yukon landscapes. Read all about it in our Dempster Highway Guide!
  • Visit the Interpretive Centre:ย The Tombstone Interpretive Centre is a great starting point for your visit. It offers informative exhibits on the parkโ€™s geology, flora, fauna, and Indigenous heritage. The friendly staff and rangers can provide you with valuable tips, trail updates, and safety information to help you make the most of your trip.
  • Wildlife Viewing:ย Tombstone is home to Dall sheep, moose, caribou, and a variety of bird species. Early mornings and evenings are going to be your best chance to spot wildlife in their natural habitat.
  • Photography:ย With dramatic mountain spires, vast tundra, and an explosion of fall colors in late summer, Tombstone is a photographerโ€™s paradise. Bring your best camera if you enjoy photography!
  • Camping: Besides the backcountry campgrounds, you can reserve a campsite at the frontcountry Tombstone Mountain Campground, right by the Interpretive Centre, for around $18 a night. Reservations seem to open in early April for the summer season.
  • Special Programs:ย You can check for any special talks, walks, or workshops going on in Tombstone on theirย Facebook pageย or at the Interpretive Center.
Dramatic granite peaks rise above a vast tundra valley with golden fall foliage and coniferous forest under a cloudy sky in Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon
Views from Tombstone Range Viewpoint.

Read Next:

How to Drive the Dempster Highway: Ultimate Road Trip Itinerary

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Posted

April 10, 2026

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Jennifer Johnson

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About Us

We’re Jen and Elliot, aka Scho & Jo, a couple of high school sweethearts who fell in love with travel and decided to live life now. From international travel to boating around America’s Great Loop to converting a Sprinter Van into a campervan and now traveling to all 50 States and US National Parks, we’re here to help you plan for your dream trip! We share detailed travel guides and expense reports to help turn your dream trip into a reality!

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