Chilkoot Trail Camping Permits

Overview

The Chilkoot National Historic Trail is not open for crossing the Canadian border. When you apply for your Chilkoot Trail permit you will need to select the campgrounds you wish to use, select which nights you will be there, and how many members are in your party. Each campsite includes one 10ftx10ft space which may be used for up to two small tents. If additional spaces are needed, select additional camp sites. 

• April 1-May 31 camping permits are not required. Campsites are listed as Walk up - First Come, First Served to indicate the campgrounds are open. You do not need to check in at the park upon arrival during this time period.

• June 1 - September 12 camping permits must be reserved, printed out beforehand, and validated at the Trail Center in Skagway prior to heading out on the trail. There is a $20.00 nonrefundable permit fee per trip.

Guide to Planning Your Chilkoot Trail Hike.

Finnegan's Point Campground

Finnegan's Point is the first campground on the Chilkoot Trail. It is located near the Taiya River. Warming shelter and bear boxes are located close to the trail. Outhouse and tent platforms are up the hill from the warming shelter. Finnegan's Point is a good choice for hikers starting late in the day.

• Location: Mile Marker 5

• Site Elevation: 249 ft.

• Campsites: 6 sites, with wooden 10ftx10ft tent platforms

• Warming Shelter: 1 Canvas, walled tent with wood burning stove

• Food Storage: bear boxes and one bear pole

• Toilet: 1composting outhouse

• Water Source: Taiya river located close to the warming shelter, all water must be purified

• Grey Water Disposal: Pack out all food scraps, dispose of grey water into fast moving water to follow Leave No Trace principles.

Canyon City Campground

The Canyon City campground provides a nice place to take a break from hiking, with several tables and two warming shelters. Canyon City is a common first night stop. Spending the night here makes it easy to explore the Canyon City Loop Trail.

• Location: Mile marker 7.7

• Site elevation: 463 ft

• Campsites: 16 sites, with wooden 10ftx10ft tent platforms.

• Warming shelter: 1 canvas walled tent, 1 log cabin with wood burning stoves

• Food storage: bear boxes

• Toilet: 2 composting outhouses

• Water source: Taiya River located a short distance from the campground, a small stream runs behind the wall tent, all water must be purified.

• Grey water disposal: pack out all food scraps, dispose of grey water into fast moving water to practice Leave No Trace

Pleasant Camp Campground

Pleasant Camp is located near the Taiya River. It is just after a relatively large elevation gain coming from Canyon City. It is a good place to stay for experienced hikers accustomed to long days who want a quieter campground than Sheep Camp.

• Location: Mile marker10.7

• Site elevation: 750 ft

• Campsites: 11 bare ground sites

• Warming shelter: 1 canvas walled tent with wood burning stove

• Food storage: bear boxes

• Toilet: 1 composting outhouse

• Water source: Taiya River located a short distance from the campground, all water must be purified

• Grey water disposal: pack out all food scraps, dispose of grey water into fast moving water to practice Leave No Trace

Sheep Camp Campground

Sheep Camp is the last campground on the U.S. side of the trail before the trail summit. Sheep Camp is the location of the NPS backcountry ranger station, a quarter mile from the campground.

• Location Mile marker: 13

• Site elevation: 1,058 ft

• Campsites: 25 sites, with wooden 10ftx10ft tent platforms, have places to tie securing lines.

• Warming shelter: A large covered, but open air picnic shelter for meals. A restored 1960s era log cabin, also with wood stove. Note: sleeping in shelters is not permitted.

• Food storage: bear boxes

• Toilet: 3 composting outhouses

• Water source: Taiya River located a short distance from the campground, all water must be purified

• Grey water disposal: pack out all food scraps, dispose of grey water into fast moving water to practice Leave No Trace

Facilities

You are required to stop by the Trail Center in Skagway to validate your permit and receive a safety briefing prior to starting your hike.

Contact Info

• Start by checking in at the Chilkoot Trail Center at 520 Broadway, Skagway, AK. The Chilkoot Trail Center is located on the east side of Broadway between 5th and 6th Avenues.

• Once your permit has been validated you can head to the Chilkoot Trailhead. Head North out of town towards the Klondike Highway. Turn left onto Dyea road, and follow the road for approximately 7 miles.

• The parking lot will be on your left, and the trailhead will be on your right, across the road from the parking lot.