A Great 3 Days in Dawson City To Tombstone Territorial Park Itinerary

There is no trip to Yukon Territory without visiting Dawson City. This Dawson City to Tombstone Territorial Park itinerary will have you ready to visit one of the coolest places in Canada.

Our trip to Dawson City in 2022 was one of the most unique Canadian things we have experienced. The best way I can explain the vibe in Dawson City is; “the wild, wild west”.

Dawson City, home to The Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nations community, is a town rich in history and the home of the Klondike Gold Rush with close proximity to the expansive Tombstone Territorial Park.

Get ready to learn about Canadian history, watch a Can-Can show and hike the majestic Tombstone mountains.

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Dawson City Itinerary Map

When to Visit Dawson City, Yukon Territory

The BEST time to visit Dawson City, Yukon and Tombstone Territorial Park is in the summer and early autumn months, late May to mid-September.

Dawson City sees most of their tourist traffic in the summer and fall months.

Most shops, entertainment and restaurants in downtown Dawson City temporarily close down for the winter months, I would avoid Dawson City during these months.

How many days to spend in Dawson City

Recommended length of stay if only spending time in Dawson City: 1-2 days

Recommended length of stay if adding on Tombstone Territorial Park: 3-4+ days

How to Get to Dawson City

Driving to Dawson City

Driving north from downtown Whitehorse on Route 2, Klondike Highway for 533 kilometres (~6 hours).

Make sure you fill up on gas before you get out of Whitehorse!

This is my preferred way to get to Dawson City, as you can use your car to get from Dawson City to Tombstone Territorial Park.

Click here for Whitehorse Rental Cars deals & discounts!

Plane to Dawson City

You can get to Dawson City via plane from Whitehorse with Yukon’s airline, Air North.

Air North flies to Dawson City from other Canadian cities as well.

Bus to Dawson City

You can take a bus from Whitehorse to Dawson City. It is slightly longer than a car ride due to a few stops.

The bus service runs from May – late September, 2-3 times per week.

Click here for bus information.

If you decide to take a car or bus, plan to lose a large chunk of your day to driving.

I recommend renting a car and driving so you have flexibility.

Where to Stay in Dawson City

Keep in mind, many hotels in Yukon Territory are not 4 or 5 stars, I knew this going in and just prioritized cleanliness.

Be sure to book well in advance as the summer season is VERY busy in Dawson City.

Bunkhouse Hotel

We stayed at Bunkhouse Hotel and loved it!!

I was travelling with my husband and friend and we got a shared room that had a bathroom between the bedroom (separating our beds).

Our Room type: Queen and twin bed, fitting three of us comfortably with a private bathroom, it was very clean and well kept! Free parking available on site.

Note: Some rooms at this hotel have shared bathrooms, when booking look out for this, I have been told by people who’ve used them that they are kept clean (this is not from personal experience).

This is one of the best hotels / shared room experiences in Dawson City and is highly recommended by locals and other visitors.

Check out booking & prices for the Bunkhouse Hotel here.

Triple J Hotel

Another popular hotel in Dawson City is Triple J Hotel.

There is a restaurant on site (which I have eaten at, it’s delish!), private bathrooms, and free parking on site. Some rooms are equipped with a kitchenette and all come with a coffee machine.

The front desk staff is available 24 hours.

Check out booking and pricing information for Triple J Hotel here.

The Downtown, A Coast Hotel

The Downtown is another popular hotel in downtown Dawson City.

The hotel has a restaurant and lounge onsite. Each room comes with a small kitchenette.

The Sourdough Saloon is located on site and is the famous restaurant where you can have a shot with a mummified toe inside! (Ew..)

Do NOT eat the toe!!

Click here for booking and pricing of The Downtown Hotel.

Dawson City Restaurants

We were there mid September and some restaurants were already closed for the season.

• Triple J: ($$) This restaurant has typical pub food – salad or fries on side (get both for an extra dollar- this piece of info is important if you want both haha).

• The Drunken Goat Taverna: ($$-$$$) A Greek restaurant in Dawson City it has pretty decent Greek food and large portion sizes!

• Red Mammoth Bistro: ($) This was the only breakfast place open mid September, they serve pastries, breakfast sandwiches and coffees.

Dawson City Entertainment & Bars

Diamond Tooth Gerties

Now, this is the place to be in Dawson City!!

Entry: $20.00 CAD, this gets you a season pass (entry for the rest of the summer season)

Entertainment: They have three shows, back to back

• Cancan at 8:30pm
• Cabaret show at 10:00pm
• Sing-a-long show at midnight.

Hours:

• 7:00 PM – 1:00 AM, 7 days a week in summer (May 10 – Sept 21)
• Select weekends in off season
• See hours here.

Casino: Bring some $$$ and play some casino games; black Jack, slots, poker, roulette

Must be 19+ years of age to enter, play responsibly. Venue is cash only.

Bombay Peggy’s

Bombay Peggy’s: ($$)

This bar has fabulous martinis, and a cozy, fun vibe!

It is also a 3-star hotel if you are interested in checking that out to stay.

The Pit

The Pit: ($$)

The Pit is the nickname of the bar located in the Westminster Hotel.

The Pit is a great place to enjoy a drink if you’re looking to continue partying on after Diamond Tooth Gerties as it stays open late.

Sourdough Saloon

Sourdough Saloon: ($$)

This bar is located in the Downtown Hotel in Dawson City.

They offer a cocktail with a frostbitten HUMAN toe inside!!

If you eat the toe (like some have in the past, resulting in them having to get a new toe), you have to pay a fine, that is somewhere in the thousands of dollars.

3 Days in Dawson City to Tombstone Territorial Park Itinerary

DAY 1: Travel Day & Dawson City

Morning: Leave Whitehorse and Head to Dawson City

Leave Whitehorse as early as possible, you have a long drive ahead (or take a plane and get there faster).

There will be stops along the way to fill up for gas and snacks but I recommend you fill up before you leave!

The drive will be approximately 6 hours in length.

Afternoon: Midnight Dome Viewpoint

You will be driving on the Klondike highway for a majority of your 533 kilometre trip.

When you are almost at Dawson city, you will see Dome Rd. on the right, turn down and take Dome Rd. all the way up to the Midnight Dome viewpoint.

This is a great place to stretch your legs, take some photos and enjoy the beautiful views of Dawson City and surrounding area.

Click here for the Google Maps link of Midnight Dome Viewpoint.

Explore Dawson City

Once making your way to Dawson City, get situated in your hotel or Airbnb and head out for the rest of the afternoon on foot!

Walk around, take in the beautiful buildings, enjoy the feeling Dawson City gives you, it is very special.

The unfinished, dirt roads make you feel like you are in a different world.

Evening: Dinner in Dawson City

Hungry? Thirsty? Get a bite to eat at Triple J Hotel.

After dinner, head over to Bombay Peggy’s and try one of their delicious martinis.

If you are feeling extra adventurous head to the Sourdough Saloon and try their toe cocktail.

Get an early night sleep, you are going hiking early the next day in Tombstone Territorial Park.

DAY 2: Full Day at Tombstone Territorial Park

*If I were to redo this trip, I would allot many more days to this park. It is magnificent.*

Morning: Breakfast in Dawson City

Have a good breakfast, pack some snacks, lunch and water for your hike and head out!

Check out Red Mammoth Bistro for breakfast.

Driving Dawson City to Tombstone Territorial Park

Hit the road and drive Dawson City to Tombstone Territorial Park.

The drive is 40 kilometres down the Klondike Highway until you reach the Dempster Highway.

Once on the Dempster Highway, Tombstone Territorial Park is located between 50 kilometres – 120 kilometres down the highway.

Multiple trailheads will start along the Dempster Highway.

The trailheads referenced in this Yukon itinerary are labeled on the Google Map.

Hiking in Tombstone Territorial Park

If you have more days to spend in Dawson City and Tombstone Territorial Park, allot for more days in this amazing park.

This itinerary will include two hikes that you will be able to complete within one day in Tombstone Territorial Park.

Do not forget: BEAR SPRAY IS A MUST!!

Grizzly Ridge Hike

The Grizzly Ridge trail is a shorter version of the Grizzly Lake hike. It is a short hike, 5 kilometres total and goes uphill for the first half.

Instead of going further to Grizzly Lake, you stop at the ridge (2.5 kilometre mark), and hike back down!

Trailhead for Grizzly Ridge

60 km down the Dempster highway, at Grizzly Lake Trailhead.

Click here for the Google Map Trailhead link.

Difficulty of hike: Moderate

Length: 5 km (2-3 hours)

Can continue on to grizzly lake (which is 11km one way total, we did not go further as we wanted to fit in another hike).

I recommend downloading the free App, AllTrails to view the hike path and details about hikes.

Bear spray is a must when hiking in Yukon Territory.

Tombstone Range Viewpoint

You will make your way further down the Dempster Highway to Goldensides Trailhead. Right at the start of Goldensides Trail is the Tombstone Range Viewpoint.

Stop here to take in the views before hiking the Goldensides Trail.

Goldensides Trail

Goldensides is an easy 4 kilometre trail in Tombstone Territorial Park. The hike is quick and full of beautiful colours. It is a great short day hike option.

Trailhead: 74 km down the Dempster highway

Click here for the trailhead on Google Maps.

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 4 km (1.5 hours)

Do NOT forget your bear spray.

Head back to Dawson City

Exhausted and all hiked out, head on back to Dawson City.

Hopefully you are lucky enough to see some wildlife on the side of the road.

We saw a baby black bear with no mama bear in sight (scary, thankfully we were in the car).

This is why we remind you to bring bear spray!!

Night Out in Dawson City: Diamond Tooth Gerties

Get ready and go out for the night.

Have dinner at The Drunken Goat Taverna, then head out to party the night away!

Watch some shows and play some games at Diamond Tooth Gerties (check their website to make sure there is a show that night).

DAY 3: Dawson City & Back to Whitehorse

Morning: Breakfast in Dawson City

If you partied all night like I did, I am sure you will want to sleep in, so enjoy!

Then, wake up, and get some breakfast and coffee at Red Mammoth Bistro.

Dawson City Museum

If you are interested in learning about Dawson, the Hän First Nations People, the Klondike region and the Gold rush check out the Dawson City Museum open all year.

Afternoon: Drive from Dawson City to Whitehorse

Head back on the road to Whitehorse.

I am sure you will be sad to leave.

Dawson City is one of the most spectacular and out of this world places I have ever experienced.

For a cool experience closer to Whitehorse, check out this Samuel Glacier trail! You can sleep under a glacier!!

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Final Thoughts on your Dawson City Itinerary

If I am lucky enough to go to Yukon Territory again, I will make sure to spend as many days as possible in Tombstone Territorial Park.

If you have the opportunity, try to fit in an overnight or longer hike.

I hope my Yukon travel guide and this itinerary on Dawson City and Tombstone Territorial Park helps give you some inspiration to visit this beautiful Canadian Territory.