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).

At a glance — Kluane National Park and Reserve

Location	St. Elias Mountains, SW Yukon (around Haines Junction & Kluane Lake)
Province / territory	Yukon
Place type	National Park and Reserve
Established	1972
Area (approx.)	≈ 22,000 km²
Highest peak	Mount Logan (≈5,959 m)
Notable features	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
Nearby communities	Haines Junction (gateway); Burwash Landing & Destruction Bay (Kluane Lake); regional hub: Whitehorse

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 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 1) skirts the NE boundary (Kluane Lake, Destruction Bay/Burwash). The Haines Highway (Hwy 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 m from bears/wolves and 30 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