Hiking the Chilkoot Trail

Campground Guide

Chilkoot Trail Profile
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© Parks Canada

U.S. Campgrounds

Finnegan's Point

Finnegan's Point Campground
© Parks Canada

Location & Facilities

Wall tent shelter at Finnegan's Point.
© Manuela Künzi

Trail Mileage: kilometer 7.7 / mile 4.8
Elevation: 61 meters / 200 feet
Setting: Coastal forest, near river
UTM Coordinates: 8V 481168 6604125
(NAD 83)

Tent sites: 6 sites, wooden platforms
Cook Shelter: Wall tent w/ woodstove
Food storage: Bear lockers & bear pole

Description

View of Irene Glacier from Finnegan's Point Campground.
© National Park Service / Matt Hays

Finnegan's Point is a small campground with limited space. Located 2-3 hours from the trailhead it is a good choice for those who will be getting a late start. It is also a popular first night destination for large groups as it allows them the opportunity to camp with few other parties competing for facilities. As space is limited you must be booked into Finnegan's Point if you wish to stay here. From Finnegan's Point it is 12.6 km / 7.8 miles to Sheep Camp.

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Canyon City

Canyon City Campground
© Parks Canada

Location & Facilities

Canyon City shelter and campground
© National Park Service / Kari Rain

Trail Mileage: kilometer 12.1 / mile 7.5
Elevation: 76 meters / 250 feet
Setting: Coastal forest, near river
UTM Coordinates: 8V 481571 6608342
(NAD 83)

Tent sites: 32 sites, on the ground
Cook Shelter: Log cabin w/ wood stove; wall tent w/ wood stove
Food Storage: Bear box & bear pole

Description

A suspension bridge across the Taiya River leads to the Canyon City ruins
© Ralph Meierhans

Canyon City is generally the first night stop for those spending 2 nights on the U.S. side of the trail. Staying here means a short (8.2 kilometer / 5.1 mile) second day hike to Sheep Camp, giving you an easier day before the more arduous push over the Pass. There is an interesting side trail just north of the campground that takes you to an historic steam boiler that powered a tramway from Canyon City over Chilkoot Pass during the gold rush.

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Pleasant Camp

Pleasant Camp
© Parks Canada

Location & Facilities

Pleasant Camp campground
© National Park Service / Matt Hays

Trail Mileage: kilometer 16.9 / mile 10.5
Elevation: 244 meters / 800 feet
Setting: Coastal forest, near river
UTM Coordinates: 8V 483464 6611242
(NAD 83)

Tent sites: 12 sites, on the ground
Cook Shelter: Wall tent w/ wood stove
Food Storage: Bear pole: ROPE REQUIRED

Description

Pleasant Camp is located on the banks of the Taiya River.
© National Park Service / Matt Hays

Pleasant Camp is a good campsite to use as a staging area for a return trip to Chilkoot Pass for those who will be remaining on the U.S. side. The one way distance to Chilkoot Pass is 9.7 km / 6 miles. For experienced hikers who are accustomed to hiking longer distances Pleasant Camp offers a quieter alternative to Sheep Camp the night before going over Chilkoot Pass. From Pleasant Camp it is 16.1 km / 10 miles to Happy Camp.

Note: In the early season it is not recommended to stay at Pleasant Camp the night before going over Chilkoot Pass due to avalanche hazard.

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Sheep Camp

Sheep Camp
© Parks Canada

Location & Facilities

Sheep Camp shelter, tent sites in background
© Manuela Künzi

Trail Mileage: kilometer 20.3 / mile 12.6
Elevation: 305 meters / 1000 feet
Setting: Treeline, next to creek
UTM Coordinates: 8V 484957 6613515
(NAD 83)

Tent sites: 25 sites, wooden platforms
Cook Shelter: Log Cabin w/ wood stove; wall tent w/ wood stove
Food storage: Bear lockers

Description

The evening Ranger talk gives hikers a mix of history and trail condition
© National Park Service

Sheep Camp is the last campground before Chilkoot Pass, making it the ideal staging area for the hike over Chilkoot Pass. From Sheep Camp it is 12.7 kilometers / 7.9 miles to Happy Camp; and, 16.7 kilometers / 10.4 miles to Deep Lake. Don't miss the Ranger Talk at 7:00 pm each evening.

Note: Early season hikers, regardless of ability, are strongly encouraged to stay at Sheep Camp the night before going over Chilkoot Pass due to avalanche hazard. An early departure from Sheep Camp (on the trail before 6:00 am) is essential to ensure safer travel through the avalanche zones early in the day when avalanche hazard is lower.

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Canadian Campgrounds

Happy Camp

Happy Camp
© Parks Canada

Location & Facilities

Happy Camp tent sites
© Parks Canada / Christine Hedgecock

Trail Mileage: kilometer 33 / mile 20.5
Elevation: 899 meters / 2950 feet
Setting: Alpine, next to creek
UTM Coordinates: 8V 490355 6622805
(NAD 83)

Tent sites: 25 sites, wooden platforms.
Cook Shelter: Cabin (no wood stove).
Food storage: Food cache in storage cabin

Description

View coming into Happy Camp
© Manuela Künzi

Happy Camp is the first campground after Chilkoot Pass, making it the most popular destination on “summit day”. Located in the high country, above treeline, the tent sites are exposed and the weather often severe. Spring hikers should be prepared to camp on snow. From Happy Camp it is 8.8 kilometers / 5.5 miles to Lindeman City; and 13.7 kilometers / 8.5 miles to Bare Loon Lake.

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Deep Lake

Deep Lake Campground
© Parks Canada

Location & Facilities

Tent sites at Deep Lake
© Parcs Canada / Hillarie Zimmerman

Trail mileage: kilometer 37 / mile 23
Elevation: 884 meters / 2900 feet
Setting: Treeline, overlooking lake near creek mouth
UTM Coordinates: 8V 492132 6625233
(NAD 83)

Tent sites: 12 sites, wooden platforms
Cook Shelter: NO: cooking area with picnic table
Food storage: Bear lockers

Description

Deep Lake is an excellent lunch stop en route to Lindeman and Bare Loon
© Parcs Canada / Christine Aikens

Smaller than Happy Camp, Deep Lake is a potential “summit day” destination for experienced hikers who are used to hiking longer distances and camping with fewer facilities. Though there is no cooking shelter here the weather is often better; and, located at treeline the tent sites are more sheltered. From Deep Lake it is 9.7 kilometers / 6 miles to Bare Loon Lake; and, 16.1 kilometers / 10 miles to Bennett.

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Lindeman City

Lindeman City Campground
© Parks Canada

Location

Shelter at Upper Campground
© Parks Canada / Hillarie Zimmerman

Trail Mileage: kilometer 41.8 / mile 26
Elevation: 670 meters / 2200 feet
UTM Coordinates: 8V 495259 6627496
(NAD 83)

Facilities

Upper Campground

Setting: Open forest, lakeshore
Tent sites: 19 sites, on the ground
Cook Shelter: Log Cabin w/ wood stove
Food storage: Bear lockers

Campsites in Lower Campground
© Parks Canada / Christine Hedgecock

Lower Campground

Setting: Forest edge, at creek mouth
Tent sites: 12 sites, on the ground
Cook Shelter: Log cabin w/wood stove
Food Storage: Bear lockers

Description

Lindeman City is located in a beautiful, historic setting on the shores of Lindeman Lake. Today’s tranquil ambience stands in stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of 1898 evident in the relict landscape.

Interpretive tent at Lindeman City Warden Station, Lower Campground in background
© Parks Canada / Christine Hedgecock

Lindeman is a camping place of choice for those spending 3 nights on the Canadian side of the trail. If spending only 1 or 2 nights on the Canadian side of the trail, Lindeman is within striking distance (11.3 kilometers / 7 miles) of Bennett by train time. With two campgrounds to choose from it offers a quieter camping experience.

The main base of operations for Parks Canada patrol staff is located at Lindeman: don’t forget to visit the exhibit in the interpretive tent at the Warden Camp and pick up your trail completion certificate.

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Bare Loon Lake

Bare Loon Lake Campground
© Parks Canada

Location & Facilities

Bare Loon tent sites.
© Parks Canada

Trail Mileage: kilometer 46.7 / mile 29
Elevation: 747 meters / 2450 feet
Setting: Open forest, on rocky outcrop overlooking lake.
UTM Coordinates: 8V 497876 6628630
(NAD 83)

Tent sites: 17 sites, wooden platforms
Cook Shelter: Picnic shelter
Food storage: Bear lockers

Description

Bare Loon shelter
© National Park Service / Amanda Whitty

Within easy striking distance of Bennett by train time, Bare Loon is a popular – though sometimes crowded – final night destination. As space is limited you must be booked into Bare Loon if you wish to stay here. From Bare Loon it is 6.4 kilometers / 4 miles to Bennett.

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Bennett

Bennett Campground
© Parks Canada

Location & Facilities

Bennett Campground
© Parks Canada

Trail Mileage: kilometer 53.1 / mile 33
Elevation: 670 meters / 2200 feet
Setting: Forest edge, at river mouth near lakeshore
UTM Coordinates: 8V 500079 6634157
(NAD 83)

Tent sites: 22 sites, on the ground
Cook Shelter: Cabin with wood stove
Food storage: Bear lockers.

Description

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Bennett
© Parks Canada / Christine Hedgecock

Once a bustling tent city, Bennet is located on the shore of Lake Bennett at the northern terminus of the Chilkoot Trail. Of historic interest is St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church – the last remaining gold rush era building along the Chilkoot Trail. The scenic campground at Bennett is located in what was once the heart of the historic townsite.

Bennett is generally the final night destination for those spending 5 nights on the trail. Accessible by train, or floatplane, it is also a potential overnight destination for campers who do not wish to hike the entire trail, or those wanting to rendezvous with a party who has hiked over the trail. A Camping Permit is required for overnight camping at Bennett. Fees apply (for those hiking the Chilkoot Trail the Bennett camping fee is included in your Trip Permit).

Note: Lunch is available at the WP&YR depot from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (Alaska Daylight Time) on train days – making a reservation before your hike is strongly recommended. The depot is closed at all other times.

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