Yukon opens first new campground in 30 years

The camping season in Yukon is officially underway, and as of Friday there's a new spot to park your RV or pitch your tent — the Conrad campground.

It's the first new territorial campground in three decades. It sits on a 45 hectare park reserve, about 16 kilometres south of Carcross, on Tagish Lake's Windy Arm. 

"It's good and it's a beautiful spot and it's beautiful to share. Look at the beauty of it," said Annie Auston, an elder from the Carcross/Tagish First Nation.

Developing the campground was a joint priority for both the First Nation and the government.

"It's one that's been much needed in the Southern Lakes area," said Carcross/Tagish First Nation chief Dan Cresswell.

"We're trying to create an economy in the Southern Lakes in our area and this will just add to it. We had some people come down they did the contract, they did a lot of the work, and also we had people that advised with the heritage stuff."

The campground is adjacent to the Conrad heritage site, where a small silver mining town was established in 1905 by Col. J.H. Conrad, and abandoned a decade later. The site was also a traditional fishing, hunting and camping site for the Tagish Kwan people.

There are currently 29 sites at the Conrad campground, but there are plans to add a few more. There are also plans for a playground, and walking trails.

All of Yukon's territorial campgrounds are officially open as of Friday, as is Kluane National Park. Some territorial parks have been open since last week.