Camping Adventure to the Arctic Ocean
date
Aug 20, 2025
slug
camping-advanture-arctic
status
Published
tags
MISC
summary
Before the summer of 2025 ended, I decided to journey to the Arctic Circle via the Dempster Highway—the only year-round public highway that crosses the Arctic Circle and leads to the very edge of the continent. A school friend and I flew to Whitehorse, Canada, and began our road trip in a Nissan Rogue. This adventure also marked my very first camping experience. Choosing Arctic camping as a first outing was certainly ambitious, especially with all our equipment packed into a single luggage bag.
type
Post
Journal
Throughout 2025, I didn’t take a single break from work or my chaotic life. Every day felt like being flooded with information, much of it demanding my attention and action. Before long, my to-do list had grown so long and overwhelming that I stopped tackling it altogether. My attention span shrank as procrastination took over—endless scrolling on social media became my escape. It was clear I urgently needed a break from the noise—somewhere off-grid, with little to no internet access—so I could truly reflect on my mental and emotional well-being.
I also wanted this break to be somewhere I might not easily visit later in life—something adventurous and remote. Living in the Seattle–Vancouver area, the idea naturally came to me: a 9 day road trip across the Arctic Circle, all the way to the Arctic Ocean.
The decision to camp instead of staying in hotels came from my friend, an adventurer at heart, who said, “If you’re already going to the Arctic, why not camp?” At first, I was full of doubts. I had never camped before, and the idea of starting with a challenging Arctic trip—flying in with minimal gear at the end of the season—felt intimidating. But I’m glad I went through with it.
By the end of the journey, I had learned survival skills like starting a fire, grilling food, and creating a livable sleeping setup in harsh conditions with limited space and equipment. The experience forced me to rethink what was truly essential to stay safe and comfortable. I had to adapt to cold weather, freezing water, damp sleeping surfaces, no internet, no electricity, and no gas stove—conditions that pushed me far outside my comfort zone but gave me the break and perspective I desperately needed.
The trip itself is as expected full of interesting stories and life time firsts. First time crossing the arctic circle, first time swimming in the arctic ocean, first time seeing aurora, first time seeing the small desert in the world Carcross Desert, first time visiting dampster and Alaska highway, first time camping, first time seeing the tundra terrain, first time seeing the pingo landmark, first time talking to Inuvialuit, first time seeing canadian’s highest montain Mount Logan 5,959m (19,551 ft) located within Kluane National Park and Reserve, also first time to taste the carible soup in Tuktoyaktuk, NT. We visited the second-northernmost KFC in Inuvik, Canada. We met locals who helped us with the flat tire, rescued us from the car out of fuel. We encountered campers from whitehorse who offered fresh kindling, missipie, US retired teachers exchange road information, sharing bear self protect knowledge etc.
The trip was everything I unexpected—full of fascinating stories and countless first-time experiences. It was my first time visiting Yukon and the Northwest Territories in Canada, crossing the Arctic Circle, swimming in the Arctic Ocean, and driving the Dempster Highway. My first time camping, seeing the vast tundra landscape, and visiting the unique pingo landforms. My first conversation with the Inuvialuit people, and my first glimpse of Canada’s highest peak, Mount Logan (5,959 m / 19,551 ft), rising majestically within Kluane National Park and Reserve.
At Kluane Visitor Center, the staff shared the full story of the Gold Rush—how it began during an economic depression, and how Alaska, Yukon, and British Columbia share stewardship of Kluane National Park and Reserve. They also recounted the history of border debates between the US and Canada, adding rich historical context to our journey.
I tasted caribou soup for the first time in Tuktoyaktuk, NT, and even visited the world’s second-northernmost KFC in Inuvik. Along the way, we met locals who helped with a flat tire and even rescued us when we ran out of fuel. We crossed paths with friendly campers from Whitehorse who offered fresh kindling, retired teachers from Mississippi who shared road tips, and fellow travelers who taught us essential bear safety skills. We also met a cyclist completing a solo three-week journey from Whitehorse to Tuktoyaktuk. It was a journey filled with generosity, adventure, and memories that will last a lifetime.
Guide
I did my best to recall all the places we visited during this 8.5-day trip and created a public Google Map to share. Please note that the seasonal Alaska border near Dawson City usually closes in early September, so if you plan to travel to Alaska, make sure to avoid the mistake we made. This guide includes only the places we visited in Yukon and the Northwest Territories in Canada.
Campsites
Date | Name | Link |
Sep 12, 2025 | Conrad Historic Townsite and Campground (not beginner friendly) | |
Sep 13, 2025 | Pelly Crossing Campground | |
Sep 14, 2025 | Engineer Creek Government Campground | |
Sep 15, 2025 | Jak Park Campground | |
Sep 16, 2025 | Gwich’in territory park Campsite | |
Sep 17, 2025 | Tombstone Campground | |
Sep 18, 2025 | Five Mile Lake Territorial Campground | |
Sep 19, 2025 | Kathleen Lake Campground |
Campsites that I visited: https://maps.app.goo.gl/eiVWWGruAAVW26NR8
Camping checklist
Campfire
Fire starter
Kindling
Firewood
Split axe
Campsite
Good view better to have a lake
Fire Pit
Washroom
WIFI (optional)
Shower (optional for a short stay)
Sleep
Sleeping pad
Sleep bag
Eye cover
As quiet as possible
As windproof as possible
Self-care
Water
Sunscreen
Moisturizer
Toiletries
Cloth
Windbreaker
Waterproof jacket
Middle-layer
Tools
Light source
Water bag
Kitchenware
Food
Vegetable
Protein
Carb
Safety
Bear spray
Knife
Phone with satellite connection
MISC
First aid
Paper towel
Bug repeller
Power bank
Campsite pass