The Sign Post Forest: The Yukon’s Heartwarming Sign Collection
The frozen wilds of Canada’s Yukon Territory isn’t the first place that comes to mind when a weary traveler is searching for some faint reminder of the comforts of home. Many travelers speeding along a remote stretch of the Alaska Highway are pleasantly surprised when they stumble upon a vast collection of signs from all over the world known as the Sign Post Forest.
The Sign Post Forest was created by a lonely soldier in the 1940s who lovingly crafted a hand-painted sign and pointed it towards his hometown of Danville, Illinois. The Sign Post Forest features thousands of signs, including a sleek sign from Germany, a rustic sign from the Jackson National Fish Hatchery, and a rugged license plate from the state of Wyoming. Visitors are welcome to leave a street sign from their hometown, or a handmade sign that offers words of comfort and wisdom to fellow travellers.
Location:
Watson Lake, Yukon Territory, Y0A
Canada
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Sign Post Forest, Watson Lake, Yukon, Canada (OSM attraction-area center; not an individual sign or entrance)
- Coordinates
- 60.06341, -128.71386
- Access
- The Sign Post Forest is an outdoor attraction maintained by the Town of Watson Lake beside the Alaska and Robert Campbell highways. The Town invites visitors to add a sign and says nails and a hammer are available at the Visitor Information Centre. Yukon now lists that Centre at the Northern Lights Centre, 809 Frank Trail, across from the forest. Use current marked pedestrian routes and parking; check local signs for safety or construction changes.
- Admission
- The Town and Yukon list no entry ticket or admission charge for the outdoor forest; an independent visitor guide also describes it as free. Any purchases or services at the separate Visitor Information Centre are separate.
- Time needed
- No official visit duration is published. One independent visitor guide suggests about an hour, depending on how many signs you stop to read; treat this as a flexible estimate.
- Best season
- The Town and Yukon do not name a preferred season for the outdoor forest. The adjacent Visitor Information Centre is seasonal and closed October 1–April 30; that does not mean the outdoor forest is closed. Check current local notices for site and parking conditions.
- Opening hours
- The Town and Yukon publish no daily hours for the outdoor Sign Post Forest. The separate Yukon Visitor Information Centre at 809 Frank Trail is closed October 1–April 30; during its 2026 season, it was open daily 08:00–20:00 May 1–September 30. These are Centre hours only.
- Location checked
- 2026-10-23
- Facts checked
- 2026-11-02
Map marks the area, not a visitor entrance.
Location
Use the zoom buttons or pinch to zoom. Use arrow keys to pan when the map is focused.
Interactive map loads when in view.
Suggest an edit
No account needed. Your update goes to the editor for review.
Explorer Passport
Next badge: Trail Scout
Unlocked after exploring 5 different unusual places.
0 of 5 places explored
Discover more from Unusual Places
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
