Debin — Kolyma River Campground and GULAG Memorial Staging

Debin sits on the banks of the Kolyma River roughly 400km north of Magadan and is one of the more established stopping points on the Road of Bones. The riverbank below the bridge provides flat, open ground that’s been used by overlanders, cyclists, and expedition teams as an established camping area for years. The town itself — a former GULAG administrative centre — has a basic store and limited fuel availability. The Kolyma River here is broad and powerful, and the light in summer is extraordinary at midnight.

The Debin Bridge is a known landmark on the route and serves as a navigational anchor. Roads into town are gravel and manageable in good conditions but can turn brutal in rain. The GULAG Mask of Sorrow memorial is a short drive from here and is a mandatory stop for anyone who wants to understand what the Road of Bones actually means. Season is June through September. No hookups, no showers, no frills — this is the real Kolyma.

Kolyma River camp with serious history.