Watson Lake is the first Yukon community encountered by the northbound traveler. With a population of 1,800 the settlement has grown up along the highway.
A comfortable day's drive from Fort Nelson or Whitehorse, Watson Lake is a popular stopover point. There are several good hotels, campgrounds, stores and service centers.
Regular bus service links Watson Lake with communities both north and south.
Charter flights are available to Whitehorse and points south. Residents enjoy live, color TV beamed to Watson Lake via CBC Yukon Network satellite on channel 8. CBC radio reception is available, dial 990 KHZ. There is a heated swimming pool that is open in the summer.
Watson Lake's famous collection of signs is a photographer's must and was started in 1942 by Carl Lindley, a homesick highway construction worker. He erected a sign pointing to his home town of Danville, IL.
The cluster of signs has been reorganized and new signs are added to the collection each year by visitors who wish to promote their own communities. On July 20, 1990 Olen and Anita Walker of Bryan, OH placed the
10,000 sign. The Sign Post Forest is maintained by the Town of Watson Lake.
Hougen's, a locally owned and operated mini-department store has erected
an exact replica of the original signpost next to its store in downtown Watson Lake. There are also some very interesting photos of the building of the Alaska Highway.
History
In 1897, Frank Watson, an American, gave up trying to get to the goldfields in the Klondike and settled in the area. He married and raised a family, on
the shore of the lake that we now know as Watson Lake. He prospected and trapped in the area until 1941 when construction of the Alasaka Highway began.
Watson Lake grew from a small isolated outpost to a thriving community when the Alaska Highway was routed through its center. It was the accommodation
and supply center for the building of this section of the highway. In 1942 Watson Lake became an important transportation hub and is still the communication and distribution center for the Southern Yukon.
Information/Emergency
Watson Lake Official website
Alaska Highway Interpretive Center is open daily during the summer months, located behind the Sign Post Forest. The center provides information
as well as an exceptional display of photos, and other audiovisual presentations.
Emergency: Ambulance and Hospital 867-536-4444; RCMP 867-536-5555.
Internet access: available at the Library.
Propane/Water/Dump
Campground Services at the Southend of town, dump station, water, propane, gas, oil, open all year.
Wye Lake Park. Turn right at Watson Lake Foods if you are north bound, RV water and sani-dump.
Services
Tags Convenience Store, at the north
end of Watson Lake. Tempo gas. Convenience Store, a Cafe and a Laundromat
on site. 250-536-7422.
Bee Jays Services 867-536-2335. Truck and RV repairs, tires and repairs,
gas and diesel. Convenience store, ice, fishing licenses,
camping permits. Cafe with home-cooking.
Air Force Lodge has quiet and clean rooms, custom-made extra long beds, free coffee & tea. These 1942 pilot quarters were lovingly and completely restored in 2001. They are at 136 Adela Trail near the Police station. Rates: single $65, double $75. 867-536-2890
Belvedere Hotel 867-536-7712 on the
Alaska Highway. 31 room with all amenities. Coffee shop, Dining
Room, Cocktail Lounge new beds, satellite TV, Jacuzzi suites.
Watson Lake Hotel Alaska Highway, 867-536-7781. 48 rooms, kitchenettes, suites, color cable TV, telephone, airport limousine, fully licensed dining room, and cocktail lounge.
Camping
Campground Services mile 632 Alaska
Hwy. 867-536-7448. RV park, full hookups, tenting, showers, laundromat,
RV wash. Gas, diesel & propane.
Tags Campground At the north end of Watson Lake. Full hookups, pull throughs, showers
and more. Discount gas. Convenience Store, a Cafe and Laundromat.
867-536-7422
Downtown RV Park in the center of
Watson Lake. Full hook-ups, pull-through's, laundry, showers, there
is a free RV wash with several wash bays (included with overnight
stay). Centrally located within walking distance of all Watson Lake's
facilities. 867-536-2646.
Watson Lake Public Campground on Alaska Highway north of Watson Lake 3 km/2 mile side road. 55 camp sites, water, picnic shelters, toilets, firepits. Fee area.
Tags Convenience Store, at the north
end of Watson Lake. Tempo gas, coffee shop and dairy items. 250-536-7422
Hougen's 867-536-7475. Yukon souvenirs,
gold nugget jewellery, T-shirts and sweat shirts, CD's and
tapes, fishing licenses, and sporting goods.
Watson Lake Foods is a full line grocery store with fresh meats and produce as well as Mrs. T's Bakery, an excellent bakery and deli-style restaurant. Purified water. ATM located in store.
Northern Lights CentreNorthern Lights Centre in Watson Lake is home to the Yukon’s only visitor facility dedicated to the science and folklore of the Aurora Borealis. A multimedia show, Myths and Mysteries of the Northern Lights, is shown daily through the summer. The planetarium also presents six daily screenings of BIG, an entertaining sky show that uses a light-hearted storytelling style. Open mid-May to mid-September 7 days a week 12:30 pm to 9:30 pm (867)536-7827
Lucky Lake 6 km/3.7 miles south of
Watson Lake on the Alaska Highway boasts the only waterslide north
of 60 degrees. Picnic tables, sandy beach, and hiking trails make
this spot popular with locals and visitors.
Nature walk around First Wye Lake.
Boardwalk around Wye Lake is a great hike and can be done by anyone.
Picnic area, wildflower and bird viewing trails, 65 kilometers
of multi purpose hiking trails. RV water and sani-dump.
World Famous Sign Post Forest: Started by a homesick GI, there are now over 40,000 signs. The Yukon Visitor Information Center can be found here and it is the first place you should visit when you arrive in Watson Lake. Bring a sign from your hometown and you will be able to place it in this world famous collection.
Watson Lake is the Gateway to Nahanni Wilderness Park, and the Canol Road.
Watson Lake Official website
