Catching up at Canyon City
Constructed in the 1960s, the Canyon City log cabin has been part of recreational hiking for decades.
A gathering place out of the elements.

Canyon City

Closed — The trail reopened June 1, 2025 after flood damage repairs. The campground typically operates during summer hiking season. Winter travel requires avalanche skills and prior contact with park officials.

Winter Storm Warning issued December 29 at 5:48PM AKST until December 31 at 12:00PM AKST by NWS Juneau AK

5:48 PM — December 30th, 6:00 AM

...SNOW CONTINUES FOR THE NORTHERN PANHANDLE INTO MID WEEK... .Snowfall and periods of freezing rain continue for much of the northern half of the panhandle from Juneau and Icy Strait corridor area northward. The rain/snow line has moved southward today sitting just south of Tenakee Springs and Elfin Cove Monday evening. Snow totals have so far been around 15 to 47 inches across the northern panhandle. A low in the gulf is continuing to send surges of moisture into the panhandle with another surge expected to arrive for the northern inner channels late Monday night, bringing more renewed snowfall rates with it. Following this will be a slight decrease in snow rates Tuesday before a second wave of moisture is expected for late Tuesday night. Into Wednesday precip rates should then start to diminish. The rain/snow line will be wavering south of the Icy Strait area through this entire time period. Please stay tuned to future updates on this impactful storm. * WHAT...Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations of 15 to 21 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Municipality of Skagway, Haines Borough and Klukwan. * WHEN...Until noon AKST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Travel will be very difficult. The cold wind chills as low as 25 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow will be dry and fluffy in nature. Snowfall rates will pick up again late Monday night, diminish on Tuesday, then pick back up again Tuesday night as a series of waves moves through, though these will be weaker than previous waves.

About

Canyon City campground is a backcountry camping area located at mile 7.7 (km 12.5) on the historic Chilkoot Trail, the legendary route of the Klondike Gold Rush stampeders. The campground provides a welcome rest stop for hikers traversing this challenging trail, offering 11 designated camping spaces with two warming shelters equipped with wood stoves, multiple picnic tables, composting toilets, and food storage lockers. Non-potable water is available on site. The campground sits in a temperate rainforest environment just half a mile from the historic Canyon City townsite, where hikers can explore fascinating gold rush era artifacts including the large metal tram boiler and other remnants from the 1898 gold rush days. The location provides a glimpse into the challenges faced by thousands of prospectors who hauled their supplies along this demanding route to the Yukon goldfields. Camping at Canyon City requires a Chilkoot Trail backcountry permit purchased from the Chilkoot Trail Center in Skagway. When making reservations, hikers must designate which campgrounds they will use, though specific campsites within the campground are not assigned. Fires are only permitted in the wood stoves provided inside the warming shelters; backpacking stoves may be used inside or outside the shelters.

Directions

Canyon City campground is located at mile 7.7 on the Chilkoot Trail, accessible only by foot from the Dyea trailhead near Skagway. From the trailhead, hike 7.7 miles through coastal rainforest following the Taiya River valley. The campground sits approximately 2.9 miles beyond Finnegan's Point campground.

Nearby Campgrounds

Amenities

Water Yes
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station No
Wifi No
Pets Allowed
Showers No
Electric Hookups No
Water Hookups No
Sewer Hookups No
Camp Store No
Price $20.3 - $54.6

Vehicle

Max RV Length
Max Trailer Length
Big Rig Friendly No
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Email klgo_information@nps.gov
Phone +1 (907) 983-9200

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

Photos

Catching up at Canyon City
Constructed in the 1960s, the Canyon City log cabin has been part of recreational hiking for decades.
A gathering place out of the elements.
The wall tent can be used for cooking or shelter.  Two sets of metal bear boxes are located nearby for all items with a scent.

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