Groups and guided trips
Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site
Research suggests that large groups have a greater impact on park environments, place greater demands on park facilities, and have increased potential to negatively impact other visitors. This is true whether you are an informal group of friends and family or an organized group such as an outdoor club, church group or Scout/Guide troop. In order to manage the impacts of large groups, both the size and the number of large groups is regulated.
Large group limits
Maximum group size on the Chilkoot Trail is 12 people. Groups larger than 12 must break into smaller groups; these smaller groups can not cross Chilkoot Pass on the same day, and must camp and hike separately.
In addition, only one large group (defined as 9 – 12 people) is permitted to cross Chilkoot Pass on any single day.
Permits and reservations
Large group reservations
Please note: Parks Canada is working towards having measures in place that would allow Chilkoot Trail NHS to open in some capacity for the 2021 hiking season. Reservations (including large group reservations) for the 2021 season will be delayed until at least April, 2021. Continue to check back for more information, or call us at 1-800-661-0486 or 1-867-667-3910.
Thank you for your patience.
Picking up your permits
Prior to setting out to the trailhead at Dyea, give your group ample time to pick up your reserved group permit, attend a mandatory orientation, and register for Customs at the Trail Center in Skagway. Every member of your group must be present and have proper documentation for crossing the border. Licensed guides must present their Guide Card.
Organized groups
Commercial operators require business licenses to operate on the Chilkoot Trail. Organized institutional or non-profit groups may also require business licenses. Please check with Parks Canada prior to making your reservation to ensure that your group does not require a business license.
Guided trips
To hike the trail with a licensed guide please ensure that the operator has the appropriate business licenses. For a current list of commercial guiding services licensed to operate on the Chilkoot Trail please check our Guides and outfitter list.
Youth groups
A "custodial group" is one affiliated with an institution, where at least one person is below the age of majority and that minor is not accompanied by his/her parent or legal guardian. This could include, but is not limited to, school groups, Scout/Guide troops, church groups, cadets and community youth groups. When you make your reservation to hike the Chilkoot Trail, please declare your party as a custodial group. Parks Canada has developed specific Guidelines for Custodial Groups hiking the Chilkoot Trail.
Group safety
Plan your hike and choose your campgrounds keeping the abilities of your weakest group members in mind.
When hiking, members of large groups can easily become separated from each other. It is important to ensure that everyone in your group is accounted for at all times -- slower hikers should not be left behind to catch up later.
Consider having a leader or experienced group member designated to bring up the rear to act as a “tail sweep”. Alternately, split your group into smaller hiking parties that hike together in tight formation.
Reducing your impact
Please show consideration for your fellow hikers and the park environment by respecting group size restrictions. Use of multiple bookings to circumvent group size restrictions is unacceptable and may result in loss of Permits.
Chilkoot bear safety protocols require that everyone cook and eat at the campground cooking shelters. As space in the cooking shelters is limited, large groups need to be well organized when preparing and eating meals and ensure that they do not dominate the cooking shelters. Breaking into smaller cooking groups and cycling through the shelters is an option to consider. As a large group you must take extra care to ensure that you leave the cooking shelters and campsites clean and that your attractants are securely stored at all times.
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