Sign Post Forest in Watson Lake Yukon Territory

Sign Post Forest, Watson Lake, Yukon

If you are heading up the Alaska Highway, this is one of those stops that looks small on the map and then swallows an hour of your day in the best way.

The Sign Post Forest sits right in Watson Lake, Yukon, at the junction of the Alaska Highway and the Robert Campbell Highway. What started as one homesick soldier’s extra sign is now a whole grove of posts covered in license plates, street signs, handmade boards, and messages from just about everywhere.

In 1942, while the Alaska Highway was being punched through, U.S. Army Private Carl K. Lindley of Company D, 341st Engineers was laid up in Watson Lake after an injury. His commanding officer asked him to repair the camp mileage post. Lindley added his own hometown: Danville, Illinois. Other soldiers followed. Travelers never stopped. Today there are tens of thousands of signs — some counts put it well over 80,000 — and the town keeps adding posts as they fill up.

I stood under that wooden “WATSON LAKE YUKON — THE WORLD FAMOUS SIGN POST FOREST” arch and just looked up. You can spend a long time reading plates from Florida, Germany, Kentucky, Alaska, little towns you have never heard of. It is part roadside attraction, part guest book for the whole north.

Last time through we were on the go-go-go Alaska run. Watson Lake and Dawson City were two of my favourite stretches of that trip, and we still did not give them enough time. I want to get back. I want a slower morning here, time to walk the rows properly, maybe nail up a sign of our own, then keep going north toward Dawson without watching the clock the whole way.

If you stop:

• It is free and right in town. Easy pull-off for trucks and RVs.
• Bring a sign if you have one, or make something at the Visitor Information Centre next door.
• The Alaska Highway Interpretive Centre is close if you want the construction story behind the first post.
• Give it more than ten minutes. The forest only works if you wander.

A very short clip from this stop is below. Blogger’s upload limit is tight these days, so it is just a taste. The longer look will live on the KassDays YouTube channel.

Watson Lake is not a place you tick off. It is a place that keeps collecting people. Next time I want to be one of the ones who stayed long enough to read more than the first row of signs.

See you on the road.

Kass
KassDays

100,000 Signs & Soothing Hot Springs

 

 

100,000 Signs & Soothing Hot Springs: Day 4 on the Alaska Highway (Muncho Lake to Watson Lake, Yukon)

One of the best parts of any epic road trip is those perfect days where everything just clicks — stunning scenery, unexpected wildlife, a relaxing soak in the wilderness, and a quirky roadside attraction that stops you in your tracks. That’s exactly what Day 4 of our Alaska Highway adventure delivered as we rolled from Muncho Lake toward Watson Lake in the Yukon.

If you haven’t watched the video yet, grab a coffee (or a virtual hot spring soak) and check it out here: 100,000 Signs & Hot Springs! ♨️ Alaska Highway Day 4. It’s packed with 4K footage, real-time reactions, and all the little details that make the Alaska Highway so special.

Wildlife on the Road: Bison, Ibex, and Pure Northern Magic

The day started early with some incredible wildlife sightings right along the highway. We spotted ibex grazing near the road, followed by multiple herds of massive wood bison — some wandering right beside (and occasionally across) the pavement. Driving slowly and giving them plenty of space was key. These animals are wild, powerful, and a reminder that on the Alaska Highway, nature is very much in charge. The fall colours lighting up the landscape added an extra layer of beauty to every mile.

Liard River Hot Springs: A Natural Oasis in the Wilderness

One of my absolute favourite stops of the entire trip — and easily a highlight for many travelers — was Liard River Hot Springs. Tucked just off the highway in British Columbia, this natural sulfur spring feels like a hidden gem (though it’s a well-known favourite among Alaska Highway veterans).

We took a relaxing dip in the warm, mineral-rich pools surrounded by lush boreal forest and boardwalks. The water is soothing, the setting is peaceful, and it’s the perfect way to recharge after days on the road. There’s even a campground right there if you want to extend the stay. Pro tip: the sulfur smell lingers a bit afterward, but it’s totally worth it. This stop turned a long driving day into something truly memorable. ♨️

Crossing into the Yukon & the Legendary Signpost Forest

As we pushed north, we crossed the 60th parallel and officially entered the Yukon — with a few back-and-forths between territories along the way. Then came Watson Lake’s Signpost Forest — hands-down one of the most unique and fun attractions of the whole journey.

Started in 1942 by a homesick U.S. soldier (Carl K. Lindley) who nailed up a sign for his hometown while working on the Alaska Highway, the “forest” has exploded into over 100,000 signs from all over the world. License plates, hometown markers, quirky messages — you name it. Wandering through the maze of posts feels like a global scavenger hunt. We hunted for familiar places, marvelled at how far some signs had travelled, and soaked up the history at the nearby visitor center. It’s quirky, creative, and utterly unforgettable. Definitely bring (or make) a sign from home if you visit!

Why This Day Stood Out

From Muncho Lake’s shores to the hot springs refresh and the whimsical Signpost Forest, Day 4 captured the spirit of the Alaska Highway perfectly: wild, unpredictable, relaxing, and full of character. The mix of nature, history, and human creativity along this route is what keeps drawing people back (or inspiring first-timers like us to finally make the trek).

The video does a great job showing the real flow of the day — the drives, the stops, the “whoa” moments — all in beautiful 4K. Whether you’re planning your own northern adventure, reminiscing about one, or just dreaming from the couch, it’s a fun watch.

Have you been to Liard Hot Springs or the Signpost Forest? What was your favorite quirky or relaxing stop on a road trip? Drop your stories in the comments — I love hearing them!

Safe travels, keep exploring, and thanks for joining the KassDays journey. More Alaska Highway days coming soon!

 

Soaking in Paradise: Liard River Hot Springs Along the Alaska Highway

My Stop at the Liard River Hot Springs Along the Alaska Highway

Hey KassDays readers! If you're dreaming of a road trip oasis in the middle of northern wilderness, Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park in British Columbia delivers exactly that, and more. In my latest video ("Making Our Mark! Watson Lake Sign Post Forest & Liard Hot Springs"), I share the journey along the Alaska Highway, but the real highlight is arriving at these fabulous natural hot springs after a scenic drive filled with potential bison sightings.Liard River Hot Springs is Canada's second-largest known thermal spring complex, fed by six geothermal sources pumping out 120–130 liters per second of mineral-rich, naturally heated water. What makes it truly special? The constant flow keeps the area ice-free even in brutal northern winters, creating warm swamps and pools amid the boreal forest. The main "Alpha Pool" ranges from steaming hot near the bubbling sources (up to 52°C) to comfortably warm downstream—perfect for a long, relaxing soak that melts away road fatigue.Access is easy via a scenic boardwalk trail through the lush, orchid-filled wetlands (watch for wildlife like bears, stay on the path and respect the electric fencing!). The water has that classic sulfur scent, but the therapeutic soak in a remote, untouched setting feels magical, especially when you're dipping in shorts on a chilly evening.Right on-site is a large, well-maintained provincial campground with spacious, treed sites (dry camping, no hookups, but very level and private). It's a popular stop for Alaska Highway travellers, book ahead in summer, but it's often peaceful with friendly staff and plenty of room to unwind. Campers rave about the convenience: soak by day, crash by night, and wake up refreshed for the next leg.I hope to return one day, the combination of natural beauty, geothermal wonder, and that perfect roadside respite is hard to beat. It's a true northern gem that reminds you why these epic drives are worth every mile.Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/JU3m9kmDj8E
For more Alaska Highway adventures, trip tips, and northern explorations, subscribe to KassDays on YouTube and check out kassdays.com! Safe travels,
Kass
#LiardRiverHotSprings #AlaskaHighway #HotSpringsBC #NorthernBC #RoadTripOasis #KassDays #ExploreCanada

Watson Lake Sign Post Forest to Liard River Hot Springs

Road Trip Highlight: Watson Lake Sign Post Forest → Liard River Hot Springs

Two iconic stops, one epic northern drive. First: the Watson Lake Sign Post Forest – over 100,000 signs from every corner of the planet nailed up since 1942. It’s quirky, free, and the perfect “I was here” photo op. Bring a marker and add your own piece of history (we did!). Then roll 220 km south on the Alaska Highway and reward yourself at Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park. Slip into steaming natural pools (42–52 °C) surrounded by boreal forest and hanging gardens. No filters needed – the water is crystal clear, the vibe is pure bliss, and the moose sightings are a bonus. Total detour time: half a day.
Total life upgrade: massive. Watch the full sunny-day soak on KassDays YouTube:
https://youtu.be/JU3m9kmDj8E Drop a comment if this combo is on your bucket list – we’ll see you on the highway! #LiardHotSprings #WatsonLake #AlaskaHighway #NorthernBC #YukonTravel