Stop 8: Tombstone / Dempster Highway
This is it — the landscape that makes everyone's jaw drop. Tombstone's jagged granite peaks rise from endless tundra. The Dempster Highway stretches toward the Arctic Circle, and you might be the only car for 50 km. The group called this the most otherworldly place they've ever seen.
🚨 Before You Leave Dawson — Non-Negotiable Checklist
- ⛽ Fill fuel to 100% — ZERO fuel on the Dempster to Tombstone
- 🥾 Jerry can with 20L extra fuel — peace of mind on gravel
- 🥗 Food for 3 days — no stores on the Dempster
- 📱 Download offline maps — zero signal after Dawson
- 🔧 Confirm spare tire is accessible and full-size
- 📡 Starlink/inReach active — emergency contact plan
Availability: 50% of sites reservable, 50% first-come-first-served
Facilities: No hookups · Hand water pump · Pit toilets
Size: Need 2+ sites for family of 7
Bears: Food must be stored in vehicle or bear box at all times
If reservation fills: arrive early at the campground to claim a first-come site. The 50% unreserved sites often fill by early afternoon in August.
⭐ Don't Skip Chapman Lake
Drive 1 hour each way from the campground on a side road to Chapman Lake. Absolutely stunning glacial lake surrounded by Tombstone peaks. Worth every minute. The views have appeared in National Geographic. Bring a packed lunch and spend a few hours here.
📏 The Road
Dempster Highway: 671 km from Dawson to Inuvik. You'll only go ~180 km south to Tombstone and back. Gravel road, generally well-maintained. Speed limit 90 km/h — drive 60–70 for safety and wildlife spotting.
🐻 Wildlife
This is one of the best wildlife corridors in Canada. Grizzly bears, black bears, moose, wolves, Arctic fox, Dall sheep, and caribou all possible. Go slow and watch for animals on the road.
🌡️ Weather
Tombstone at elevation can be near-freezing in August — even snow is possible. Always pack full warm layers and rain gear regardless of Dawson forecast. Altitude changes everything.
🚗 Aug 30: Drive Back
Drive from Tombstone back to Whitehorse (6–7 hrs). Stop for lake swimming at any turquoise lake along the way — you'll spot many. Then Aug 31: fly Whitehorse → Vancouver.