Canyon City
Open for walk-up first-come, first-served camping through May 31. Starting June 1, backcountry permits are required through Recreation.gov ($20 per trip) and hikers must validate permits at the Trail Center in Skagway before starting. The U.S.-Canada border crossing via the trail is closed for 2026; camping is limited to U.S. side campgrounds only.
High Wind Watch issued September 18 at 10:07PM AKDT until September 21 at 7:00AM AKDT by NWS Juneau AK
* WHAT...Southeast winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible. * WHERE...Haines Borough and Klukwan and Municipality of Skagway. * WHEN...From late Saturday night through Monday morning. * IMPACTS...High winds could blow around unsecured objects, damage property and cause power outages. Travel could be difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Winds will quickly increase as a strong low pressure system moves into the northern gulf. Confidence has increased on strong wind gusts around 50 to 60 mph occurring near Skagway and Haines.
Flood Watch issued September 18 at 2:52PM AKDT until September 21 at 4:00AM AKDT by NWS Juneau AK
A series of low pressures will move through the panhandle this weekend bringing prolonged rain combined with high freezing levels to increase ice melt on glacier river systems. The heavy rainfall and associated runoff will produce significant river rises with the potential of minor flooding. * WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE...Including the following area, Northern Inner Channels. This includes the cities of Skagway, White Pass, And Haines. * WHEN...From late Saturday night through late Sunday night. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, other low-lying areas and flood-prone locations. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - A series of lows will bring a prolonged period of rain combined with warmer temperatures aloft allowing for any precipitation falling into the region to remain as rain. Current thinking is that the rain will continue this evening into Saturday before a second, stronger system moves in for Saturday into Sunday. Between the two systems, the flow is expected to remain onshore keeping moisture moving into the area. For the Skagway area, 24 hour precip looks to get up to 1 to 2 inches this weekend while the storm total amounts could be 2 to 4 inches. The Haines area is expected to see 0.75 to 1.5 inches in 24 hours while a storm total precipitation of 2 to 3.5 inches is possible.
About
Canyon City campground sits at mile 7.7 on the Chilkoot Trail within Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, making it a popular first-night destination for backpackers. At 463 feet elevation, the campground offers 16 designated campsites with wooden 10x10-foot tent platforms. Facilities include two composting outhouses, bear boxes for food storage, and multiple picnic tables scattered throughout the site. Two warming shelters provide refuge from the often cool and wet Alaskan weather: a canvas-walled tent and a historic log cabin, both equipped with wood-burning stoves. Open fires are prohibited throughout the Chilkoot Trail corridor; backpackers must bring their own camp stoves. Water is available from the Taiya River and a small nearby stream but must be filtered before drinking. The campground is located just half a mile from the historic Canyon City townsite, where the remains of the 1898 gold rush boom can still be seen. Artifacts including a large metal tram boiler remain at the site. Dogs are permitted on the Chilkoot Trail but must remain on a leash no longer than six feet and are prohibited from entering warming shelters.
Directions
Canyon City is accessible only by foot via the Chilkoot Trail. From Skagway, drive 9 miles to the Dyea trailhead. The campground is located at mile 7.7, approximately 4-6 hours of hiking from the trailhead depending on pace and conditions.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | No |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $20 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| klgo_information@nps.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (907) 983-9200 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Photos
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