Kluane National Park

Kluane National Park and Reserve is one of Canada’s most spectacular and remote wilderness destinations, located in the southwest corner of the Yukon Territory. This vast, rugged landscape spans over 22,000 km² of towering mountains, immense icefields, sweeping valleys, and wild rivers, and it forms part of the internationally recognized Kluane‑Wrangell‑St. Elias‑Glacier Bay‑Tatshenshini‑Alsek UNESCO World Heritage Site — the largest protected area of its kind in the world.

Kluane is home to the highest mountains in Canada, including Mount Logan, which rises to nearly 5,959 meters and is the country’s tallest peak. The park also features some of the most extensive non‑polar icefields on Earth, with glaciers flowing deep into valleys and carving dramatic U‑shaped landscapes that tell the story of ancient Ice Age forces.

Here, rugged peaks like Pinnacle Peak and King’s Throne Peak punctuate the skyline, while glacier systems such as the Donjek Glacier showcase how ice continually shapes this breathtaking terrain.

Despite its remote setting, Kluane supports an extraordinary diversity of wildlife and ecosystems. Vast boreal forests give way to alpine tundra dotted with wildflowers, and winding rivers support rich habitats for fish and birds. The park shelters iconic northern species such as grizzly bears, Dall sheep, caribou, moose, mountain goats, wolves, and wolverines, as well as over 150 bird species including bald and golden eagles.

Whether you’re scanning riverbanks for trumpeter swans or listening for the distant call of a wolf echoing through the valleys, Kluane offers unmatched wildlife‑viewing opportunities in a pristine northern wilderness.

Kluane is a paradise for outdoor lovers and adventure seekers. The park’s vast network of trails ranges from short day hikes to multi‑day backcountry expeditions, allowing you to explore everything from forest floors to sweeping alpine ridges. Popular routes like the King’s Throne Trail reward hikers with sweeping views over Kathleen Lake and surrounding mountains.

For more remote experiences, intrepid explorers tackle routes such as the Cottonwood Trail or the Alsek River Valley, where rugged terrain and untouched landscapes make each step an adventure.

One of the most unforgettable ways to experience Kluane’s immense scale is through flightseeing tours or aerial excursions. From above, you can soar over ancient glaciers, vast icefields, and winding rivers, gaining a bird’s‑eye perspective on this awe‑inspiring wilderness.

Kluane’s icy rivers, fed by glacier melt, offer world‑class rafting opportunities, especially along the Alsek River — a Canadian Heritage River that carves through towering valleys and remote wilderness. Paddle calmly on crystal waters or tackle thrilling rapids as you pass through landscapes sculpted by ice and time

Getting There: The park is accessed primarily via the Alaska Highway, with Haines Junction serving as the main gateway community. From here, services, accommodations, and trailheads make excellent starting points for exploration.

Best Time to Visit: Summer (June–August) brings long daylight hours, wildflower blooms, and ideal hiking conditions — though weather in the north can be unpredictable.

Visitor Centres: The Haines Junction Visitor Centre offers interpretive exhibits, maps, and permits, perfect for planning your Kluane adventure.

Kluane is located on the traditional lands of the Southern Tutchone and Champagne & Aishihik First Nations, who continue to share cultural knowledge and stewardship of this remarkable landscape. The park’s cooperative management integrates scientific research with Indigenous perspectives to protect both ecological integrity and cultural heritage.