Kusawa Lake Territorial Campground — Kusawa Lake Road

Kusawa Lake Territorial Campground is at the end of the Kusawa Lake Road, a gravel spur running south off the Alaska Highway west of Whitehorse. The lake is one of the largest in Yukon — glacially cold, turquoise-green when conditions are right, and flanked by peaks that remind you exactly where you are on the planet. The camp has pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. It’s a favourite for kayakers and canoeists doing the Takhini River run out of Kusawa, but overlanders use it as a legit destination camp or a launch point into the Dezadeash and Kluane corridor to the west.

The Kusawa Lake Road is roughly 60 kilometres of gravel — manageable for most rigs but watch for soft shoulders after rain. No cell signal. The campground gets busy with Whitehorse locals on summer long weekends but is quiet mid-week. Water from the lake should be filtered. This is bear country — hang your food. Season is June through September.

Glacial lake camp in the shadow of the St. Elias.