Bennett Camping
Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site
Escape into the heart of the northern wilderness and camp in Parks Canada’s campground on the shore of beautiful Bennett Lake. Although Bennett is only a short distance from “civilization”, it is a remote backcountry setting. There are no supplies or services at Bennett so make sure to bring everything you need.
Permits and regulations
Camping Permits are required by those overnighting in Bennett from June 1 to September 13, 2023. Your Bennett Camping Permit is valid for day use on the Canadian portion of the Chilkoot Trail. A special permit is required for commercial activity, such as guiding, videography and photography; special events, such as weddings and drones. There is no onsite registration and walk-ons are not permitted. Reservations are required.
A special permit is required for commercial activity, such as guiding, videography and photography; special events, such as weddings and drones.
Planning your hike
Getting to and from Bennett
There is no road to Bennett. Access to Bennett is limited to entering and exiting by air charter or boat only. Accessing Bennett via the train tracks is illegal.
Please contact carriers directly to arrange your travel logistics. Note that some carriers may have limited services based on COVID-19 restrictions. Bring a communication device (satellite phone, InReach© or other non-cellular device) to communicate with your carrier from Bennett. There is no cellular service anywhere within the Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site, including Bennett.
Float plane companies Alkan Air Alpine Aviation Amber Airways Black Sheep Aviation Tintina Air Helicopter companies Canadian Helicopters Capital Helicopters Fireweed Helicopters Transnorth Helicopters (Great Slave Helicopters) Horizon Helicopters Flying in and around national parks and historic sites in Yukon and northern British ColumbiaAir carriers
1-867-668-2107
1-867-668-7725
1-867-334-3535
1-867-668-7761
1-867-332-8468
1-867-633-4354
1-867-668-6200
1-867-668-5888
1-867-668-2177
1-867-633-6044
Camping etiquette
Cooking and eating
- Cook and eat only at the day use shelter or adjacent picnic tables. Food is not permitted at tent sites
- Open fires are prohibited. Bring a backpacking stove and fuel for cooking. No barbeques.
- Surface water (river or lake) is the only source of water at the campground. Bring a water purification kit, water filter or sufficient fuel to boil water.
- Food and other attractants must be stored in the bear secure storage lockers when not in use. Storage lockers are 53 cm / 21” H x 61 cm / 24” W x 61 cm / 24" L. Ensure you pack appropriately.
Designated camping
Camp only in designated campsites. There are both wooden tent platforms and ground sites available at Bennett.
Pack in - pack out
There are no garbage bins at Bennett. Bring a garbage bag/container.
- Store all garbage/food waste in the storage lockers with your other attractants
- Clean your dishes at the grey-water disposal pit. Strain food leftovers and store with your garbage (a strainer is provided)
- Take all garbage/food waste with you when you leave
Human waste
There are outhouses. Toilet paper is not provided. Bring your own.
Respect your neighbours
There is a private cabin at Bennett. Please do not disturb the owner or their property. Respect your neighbors by keeping noise within reasonable levels. No generators.
Bear safety
Bennett is located in bear country. Before you go, familiarize yourself with the principles and practices of camping in bear country.
Read You Are in Bear Country
Watch Staying Safe in Bear Country
Review Chilkoot Trail food handling protocols
Parks Canada recommends carrying bear spray.
Visiting an outdoor museum
Historic significance
Lake Bennett is located at the northern end of the Chilkoot Trail in the traditional territory of the Carcross Tagish First Nation. In the winter of 1897-1898 it became a boat-building centre and tent encampment—home to 15,000 Klondike Gold Rush stampeders. By 1899 it had become a town with streets, stores, hotels, docks and warehouses. The completion of the White Pass and Yukon Route from Skagway to Whitehorse in 1900 spelled the end for Bennett City. Within a year the townsite was all but abandoned. Today all that remains is St. Andrew’s Church, artifact scatters of discarded tins and broken bottles and cultural landscape features such as rock terraces and wharf pilings.
As you walk the trails at Bennett, you are on the former streets of the town. Please, be careful of broken glass and rusty objects. These relics from the Klondike Gold Rush are found on the beach, in the lake and around Bennett, as well as along the Chilkoot Trail. Help reduce trampling of cultural features by staying on the trails. It’s illegal to remove, damage, deface or destroy any cultural or natural resources. This includes:
- Artefacts such as bottles, cans, boots, glass, etc.
- Rocks. It may not be immediately evident, but rocks are often part of historical landscape features such as terraces or building foundations. Avoid moving rocks.
- Animals and plants, including flowers and berries.
Please moor watercraft or floatplanes close to the Bennett Train Station outside the boundary of the National Historic Site.
Things to do
Points of interest
Step back in time and explore the Gold Rush era town of Bennett City or go for a hike on the legendary Chilkoot Trail.
- St. Andrew’s Church
- Artwork on Bennett day use shelter
- Stampeder cemetery: on the south side of the Chilkoot trail; 1 km / 0.8 mile return
- North Lindeman beach: 4 km / 1.6 miles return
- Bare Loon Lake: 12.8 km / 7.9 miles return (hiking time 4 to 6 hours)
Canoeing or kayaking
There are no Parks Canada water-rescue services available on Bennett Lake.
- Bennett Lake and Lindeman Lake are big and sometimes very windy; floatation and spray decks are advised
- The rapids on One-Mile River are class III+; do not attempt in a canoe or sea kayak
- Stay on the trails when transporting your canoe or sea kayak
Parks Canada 24 hour emergency dispatch
1-780-852-3100
Satellite telephones or GPS messenger devices, such as Spot® or InReach® are the preferred form of communication. There is no telephone or cell service at Bennett.
Related links
- Date modified :