View source for Kluane National Park and Reserve

'''Kluane National Park and Reserve''' protects vast icefields, towering St. Elias peaks, broad river valleys, and boreal uplands in southwestern [[Yukon]]. Home to '''Mount Logan''' (≈5,959 m), Canada’s highest mountain, Kluane anchors the transboundary UNESCO World Heritage Site shared with Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve (U.S.), Glacier Bay National Park (U.S.), and Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park (BC).

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<div style="font-weight:700; color:#b91c1c; margin-bottom:6px;">At a glance — Kluane National Park and Reserve</div>
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! style="text-align:left; width:42%; vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px;" | Location
| style="vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px; overflow-wrap:anywhere;" | St. Elias Mountains, SW Yukon (around '''Haines Junction''' & '''Kluane Lake''')
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! style="text-align:left; width:42%; vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px;" | Province / territory
| style="vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px; overflow-wrap:anywhere;" | Yukon
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! style="text-align:left; width:42%; vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px;" | Place type
| style="vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px; overflow-wrap:anywhere;" | '''National Park and Reserve'''
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! style="text-align:left; width:42%; vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px;" | Established
| style="vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px; overflow-wrap:anywhere;" | '''1972'''
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! style="text-align:left; width:42%; vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px;" | Area (approx.)
| style="vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px; overflow-wrap:anywhere;" | ≈ '''22,000 km²'''
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! style="text-align:left; width:42%; vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px;" | Highest peak
| style="vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px; overflow-wrap:anywhere;" | '''Mount Logan''' (≈5,959 m)
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! style="text-align:left; width:42%; vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px;" | Notable features
| style="vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px; overflow-wrap:anywhere;" | Kluane Icefield & surge glaciers (e.g., '''Lowell'''); '''Kaskawulsh Glacier''' & river re-routing; '''Alsek River''' rafting corridor; '''Kathleen Lake''' & '''King’s Throne'''; Donjek Route; vast wildlife corridors
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! style="text-align:left; width:42%; vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px;" | Nearby communities
| style="vertical-align:top; padding:4px 6px; overflow-wrap:anywhere;" | Haines Junction (gateway); Burwash Landing & Destruction Bay (Kluane Lake); regional hub: Whitehorse
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== Overview ==
Kluane gathers North America’s tallest non-polar mountains and one of the world’s largest non-polar icefields. Glaciers pour from the St. Elias crest into broad valleys where grizzly bear, Dall sheep, mountain goat, moose, wolf, and lynx roam. The park and reserve form a single protected block with different legal designations; together they anchor a huge transboundary wilderness linked to [https://factsabouttheunitedstates.com/wiki/Alaska Alaska] and [[British Columbia]].

== Lands and relationships ==
Kluane lies within the traditional territories of the '''Champagne and Aishihik First Nations''' and the '''Kluane First Nation'''. Parks Canada co-manages the area with Indigenous governments; local names, protocols, and stewardship practices reflect living relationships with the land and waters.

== Landscapes and ecosystems ==
* '''Icefields & high peaks:''' The Kluane/Wrangell–St. Elias icefields feed glaciers like '''Kaskawulsh''' and '''Lowell''' beneath summits such as Mount Logan, St. Elias, and King Peak.  
* '''Valleys & lakes:''' Broad gravel plains and deltas along the Alsek, Dezadeash, and Kaskawulsh; '''Kluane Lake''' (Yukon’s largest) rims the park’s NE edge.  
* '''Uplands & boreal forest:''' Spruce–aspen forests and open alpine tundra support Dall sheep, hoary marmot, pikas, and raptors.  
* '''Geoscience note:''' In recent decades, Kaskawulsh Glacier’s meltwater re-routed (river piracy), reducing flow to the Slims River valley and increasing flow to the Alsek system.

== Things to do ==
* '''Frontcountry day hikes:''' '''King’s Throne''' (steep alpine cirque) and '''Sheep Creek''' viewpoints near Kluane Lake; '''Auriol Trail''' (loop through forest/meadows); Kathleen Lake shoreline and day-use.  
* '''Backcountry routes (experienced):''' Non-maintained classics like the '''Donjek Route''' (multi-day, route-finding required) and extended valley traverses—registration strongly recommended.  
* '''Rafting & river expeditions:''' World-class multi-day trips on the '''Alsek River''' (often continuing into BC/Alaska) with licensed outfitters; permits/coordination required.  
* '''Flightseeing & ski-plane landings:''' Weather-dependent flights from Haines Junction offer glacier/peak views; mountaineering expeditions to Logan and neighbours require permits and advanced logistics.  
* '''Wildlife viewing & photography:''' Dall sheep on slopes near Thechàl Dhâl (Sheep Mountain), migrating swans in spring, and expansive autumn colours.

== Access and visitor services ==
* '''Roads:''' The '''Alaska Highway (Hwy&nbsp;1)''' skirts the NE boundary (Kluane Lake, Destruction Bay/Burwash). The '''Haines Highway (Hwy&nbsp;3)''' reaches Haines Junction from the south.  
* '''Visitor centres:''' Parks Canada Visitor Centre in '''Haines Junction''' (trip planning, exhibits) and seasonal '''Thechàl Dhâl Visitor Centre''' near Kluane Lake.  
* '''Campgrounds & services:''' '''Kathleen Lake Campground''' (frontcountry) plus day-use areas around Kluane Lake; broad services in Haines Junction and Whitehorse.  
* '''Permits & reservations:''' Backcountry registration is strongly encouraged/required for some activities; river use and mountaineering have additional permitting and safety requirements.

== Safety and low-impact travel ==
* '''Extreme weather & remoteness:''' Rapid changes, strong winds, cold nights—even midsummer. Carry layers, maps, repair kits, and satellite communication.  
* '''Glacier & alpine hazards:''' Crevasses, cornices, rockfall, and avalanches—travel only with proper skills/gear or certified guides.  
* '''Bears & other wildlife:''' Store food/odours securely; keep 100&nbsp;m from bears/wolves and 30&nbsp;m from elk/deer; carry bear spray where advised.  
* '''Rivers & lakes:''' Cold, silty, swift—use PFDs/drysuits; winds on Kluane Lake can be severe.  
* '''Navigation:** Many routes are unmarked; expect fords, tussocks, and limited cell coverage.  
* Practice '''Leave No Trace''' and respect closures, cultural sites, and restoration areas.

== See also ==
* [[Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve]] (U.S.) • [[Glacier Bay National Park]] (U.S.) • [[Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park]] (BC)  
* [[Auyuittuq National Park]] • [[Ivvavik National Park]] • [[Vuntut National Park]]  
* [[National Parks of Canada]] • [[Geography of Canada]]

== External links (official) ==
* Parks Canada — Kluane National Park and Reserve: https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/yt/kluane
* Parks Canada — Visit (hikes, rafting, flightseeing, safety): https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/yt/kluane/visit
* Parks Canada — Reservations/permits (when applicable): https://reservation.pc.gc.ca
* Parks Canada — Important bulletins (closures, wildlife, travel advisories): https://parks.canada.ca/amnc-nmca/imp