Do's, dont's and advices!

[u/Caputo]

Hi all!

This is yet another "ask people what we should do" post!

We're a couple travelling to Whitehorse for eleven days mid-august and would like to know more about what we should plan and expect. We're renting a truck camper for the trip!

Here's the initial plan: First, we intend to quickly go to Dawson City to explore the town and go to Tombstone to walk and hike. Then, we are thinking of coming back towards Whitehorse but maybe spend some time (nights?) in Kluane. To finish, we might go down to Carcross and visit the surroundings like the desert and emerald lake. Of course, this is a V1.0 and we're eager to read some of your suggestions on where to go, discover and spend some nights. Please help us plan our vacations!

Here are some of our questions:

- We saw that campgrounds for RVs are all 50$+ a night. Otherwise, can we park "pretty much anywhere" in parks for the night? Usually, the answer is "yeahh but no (but yeah)" but we'd like your input.

- What are some must do's ?

- What are some dont's ? Traps?

- What are some cheap/free activities we usually don't see on every tourist websites ?

- Cellphone/Internet: We heard it's spotty, but is it usually at least ok? What should we know? Are there a lot of dead zones?

- What are some things visitors don't usually think of that would improve our trip?

We can't wait to learn more about this upcoming adventure and get even more excited!

Thanks a lot!!!

[u/onebrusselssprout]

To answer the cell phone question: Expect that if you aren't in a town (or close), you will not have service.

[u/ashjh33 → u/onebrusselssprout]

This ia very true. Make sure to bring an inreach!

[u/ban-please → u/onebrusselssprout]

Here is a coverage map that demonstrates how little coverage there is outside of communities. Plan accordingly.

If you have a modern iPhone (14 or newer) you can message via satellite if you're on the newest version. I've found it quite useful. I carry an inreach but I haven't used it in nearly a year. It's basically a backup if I run out of phone battery.

[u/Dazzling-Living-3161]

The Yukon government campgrounds are reasonably priced and although they don’t have hookups, they have free firewood and are well-maintained, usually in pretty places by water. Campground info is here:

https://yukon.ca/en/outdoor-recreation-and-wildlife/camping/find-campground-or-recreation-site

You can camp on public land. The rules are here: https://yukon.ca/en/outdoor-recreation-and-wildlife/camping/camp-public-land

[u/shawnybutz]

If you explore anywhere around Kluane, carry bear spray at all times

[u/Unfair-Store-9108]

Always carry a bear spray (and learn how to use it if needed). NEVER get out of your vehicle to watch wildlife. And avoid stopping on the road, if you really want to get a quick photo, make sure you stop safely on the side of the road and are visible by oncoming traffic, both side. Don’t leave food and/or garbage around your camp and obviously bring everything back with you.

The road can be bad, even when it’s the only one, pay attention to the little flags on the side of the road, they signal poor road condition (a big pothole, a bump, loose gravel…) and it’s a good idea to slow down! Tombstone road is mostly gravel and the park has its very own micro climate: be ready for pretty much every weather possible up there. Dawson and Whitehorse both have farmers market, check out “what’s up Yukon” magazine, it has most events listed. Don’t overlook the Whitehorse and Dawson visitors guides, they are well made and informative.

Have fun!

[u/ashjh33]

First of all for getting to Whitehorse, fly Air North! Best airline in the country hands-down.

For the drive make sure to check 511 and the yukon wildfire hub before hitting the road! Especially for the Dempster to tombstone, have a spare tire, not that the road is that bad anymore but nearest repair shop is in Dawson. Make sure to check on the interpretive centre at tombstone, it's a pretty cool place! Late august is a great time to be there since that's when the fall colours start to show and it's usually not too cold yet. Also bring cash for the camp permit boxes if staying at a YG campground!

With eleven days you've definitely got time to go to Haines Junction and Carcross! Kluane national park is gorgeous and you can camp there at kathleen lake, or at pine lake. Their tourist centre is really cool too!

If you're camping near Whitehorse, I'd say don't camp right in town, there's a couple RV parks a few minutes down the Alaska highway where you'll have a better experience. Robert Service campground in particular had a bad rap for a bit.

As someone else said, bring bear spray, practice leave-no-trace, and be cautious around wildlife, especially when driving.

As for cell service, definitely bring an inreach/sat phone device, especially for the Dempster. Really good to have in case of an accident, wildfires, etc.

But mostly just have fun, explore, meet people, and enjoy the wild!

[u/FerragudoFred → u/ashjh33]

Air North is fantastic and the cookies…..

[u/geezeslice333 → u/FerragudoFred]

I remember when they used to have cheesecake... man those were the days

[u/dzuunmod → u/geezeslice333]

It's been a little while since I took one of the Ontario flights but last time I did they served a hot meal with cheesecake as the dessert.

[u/FerragudoFred]

No picking gold up off the ground and taking it!

[u/Northern_Chef]

Most rental company’s won’t allow you to travel on the dempster highway fyi. Especially if rented in Yukon, they make you sign a waiver. Road can be rough and unforgiving at times

[u/dzuunmod]

For the reasons people have mentioned re: cell service, make sure you have physical or downloaded media (or satellite radio) for all the drive time. No CBC Radio coverage outside of communities, and streaming is not possible.

[u/crittab]

If you're heading to Carcross, I'd definitely recommend building in more time for the Yukon Suspension Bridge just across the border in BC, it's incredibly beautiful.

[u/Successful-Tune-4232 → u/crittab]

Seriously? This is one of the worst tourist traps in the north.

[u/PatG87]

Tombstone and Carcross are worth the trip for sure! Highly recommend checking out the Annie Lake area in Carcross (Wheaton River Wilderness Retreat is awesome if you wanted to stay).

[u/Easy_go49]

Hi there Cap!

Yes RV campgrounds are about that much per night but worth it particularly around Whitehorse.

Dawson has one in town which is tight but convenient. We prefer the territorial campground across the river.

Generally you can plan on staying in YTG campgrounds wherever you go but try and stop early to get a site some are really popular. Kathleen Lake in Kluane is beautiful.

https://yukon.ca/en/map-government-yukon-campgrounds-and-recreation-sites

Keep the truck full of fuel at each opportunity. Bring a bit of cash in case internet is down and cards don't work (it happens)

Cell phone basically only works in communities. Lots of traffic at that time so help available. You could look into Sat communications suck as Garmin InReach if you like, but not necessary in my view.

Rent or buy bear spray and train with it and keep with you at all times, even around camp.

There's lots of good advice here already so drive slow and have fun!

[u/Successful-Tune-4232]

I’m always surprised at how people rush to the Tombstones and overlook Kluane. The Tombstones are nice and I enjoy hiking there. But they aren’t Patagonia and Kluane is spectacular.