Categories: Travel

This colourful ‘forest’ in Canada is made of nearly 100,000 signs from all over the world

Photo via CREO327 / Shutterstock.com

Canada has no shortage of incredible places, but if you’re heading to the Yukon, you shouldn’t pass through Watson Lake without checking out the Sign Post Forest.

A small town with a big heart, this historic spot is among those inhabited for centuries. Among them? Private Carl Lindley, who was the first to put up a sign in what would be known as this legendary landmark.

“Private Carl Lindley, of Company D, 341st Army of Engineers, was injured while working on the Alaska Highway near Lower Post, B.C.,” Travel Yukon explained.

“He was taken to recover at an aid station in what is now Watson Lake, a few miles over the border into the Yukon. While there, Lindley was given light work duty repairing and repainting directional posts. Of his own accord, he added one for Danville, Illinois, where he was from.”

Since 1949, the forest has grown exponentially – with over 100,000 markers from Wyoming in the U.S.A. to Winterburg, Germany—creating a maze-like display.

When and where to visit

Want to check it out?

Visitors are encouraged to bring signs from home or make one at the Visitor Interpretive Centre, which is open daily from 8 am and 8 pm from mid-May to mid-September.

If you’re visiting off-season, we recommend bringing your own hammer and nails—which will be unavailable due to the centre’s hours.

While there, don’t forget to visit the surrounding attractions, events, and restaurants.

There’s plenty to see and do, but no place quite like Sign Post Forest.

Enjoy!