The essential guide to Kluane National Park & Reserve

Kluane National Park and Reserve It boasts many “mosts.” It’s the furthest west you can go in Canada and nearly as far north. Mount Logan is Canada’s highest peak. The largest mountain range in the country. UNESCO World Heritage SitesIt is also home to the largest non-polar icefield in the world, which stretches across the border between Canada & the United States.

“It’s among the country’s largest and wildest national parksStella Patera is an acting partner and engagement officer for Parks Canada. “Vast, kilometer-deep ice fields can be found in the park. These huge icefields meet massive mountains. The park isn’t only for extreme adventurers. The frontcountry is a great place to hike just off of the highway. road-accessed campground Kluane’s wild beauty is within easy reach thanks to its proximity to a beautiful lake and a large visitor center that features interactive exhibits.

Kluane’s past is as fascinating and unique as its landscape. The park and reserve are situated within the traditional territories three Yukon First Nations – Champagne and Aishihik First Nations as well as Kluane First Nation and White River First Nation. Indigenous people used the territory for hunting, fishing, and trapping for thousands of year. However, they were forced to leave in the 1940s after the Alaska Highway was built and the Kluane Game Sanctuary.

We call it “Asi Keyi” [means] Amber Berard Althouse is a member from the Kluane First Nation and has worked for Parks Canada, as a Heritage Presenter. She is now leading workshops and walking tours independently.

Kluane declared in 1976 a national park reserveIn 1993 and 2003 the Canadian government signed agreements with the Champagne, Aishihik, and Kluane First Nations to restore and protect their rights to fish, hunt, trap and gather plants. The Kluane National Park Management Board is responsible for managing the park today. It consists of representatives from the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations as well as the Kluane First Nation and Parks Canada. 

Visitors can learn about the long history of the area, as well as experience the most beautiful landscapes in Canada, including its deep glacial valleys and tallest peaks. The Yukon is famous for its breathtaking landscapes. wildly beautiful vistasKluane, perhaps the best place to enjoy it all.

You should read this before you visit Kluane National Park Reserve.

Know Before You Go

Kluane National Park and Reserve is free to enter, but there are camping fees if you want to stay overnight. you’ll need to buy a permitStarting at just 27 Canadian Dollars, this tent is a great value. You can also opt for an Otentik, a structured, semipermanent tent that has mattresses, a wood stove, and firewood for your warmth and convenience—these start at 133.25 Canadian Dollars (about $96 USD). You might be interested in hiking or camping out in the backcountry. A permit is required for this as well, and costs about $10 (13.50 Canadian Dollars). 

The Yukon has healthy populations of both grizzly and black bears, and encounters can happen anywhere in the park, from busy trails to remote backcountry areas—it’s best to always travel with bear spray and a bear horn. Berard Althouse advises people to stop by the Haines Junction visitor centre and pick up some bear safety advice, even if they are accustomed to it.  

Keep in mind the importance of connectivity. “Kluane’s not a park that has neatly paved road winding throughout it.” “Once you enter the park, you will find that the roads are gravel and not highways. In fact, the main road is actually at the outer edge of it,” says Roxanne, the owner of Mount Logan Ecolodge & Retreat Center Haines Junction. “And once you’re out exploring, there’s very little or no Wi-Fi. I consider it one of the greatest gifts that the park has to offer. It allows visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Yukon’s wild beauty, without being distracted by their devices.

The park is open all year round, but some services are only offered during the peak season (May to September). Visitors centers, campgrounds, interpretive programming, etc. are all included.

The Best Time to Visit 

Hiking, rafting, camping, fishing—the opportunities to explore nature are plentiful, and the most popular time of year to do it all is May through September. It’s the time of year when interpretive programs and campgrounds are available. Patera says that summer is the best time to hike because of the long daylight hours, the lack of snow and the trails are clear.

Fall is not something to underestimate. Berard-Althouse says, “The fall colours are beautiful.” “They come a little earlier than people expect—usually it starts towards the end of August. The weather does cool down, but this is the best part of the year because it’s so beautiful and free from bugs.

You can also catch the northern lights in winter and fall. The park is a great place to go if you want to escape the freezing temperatures. Northern NightsIn September, there will be the only dark-sky festival in Yukon. Kathleen Lake will still offer camping at the festival. Programming includes storytelling, hot dog roasts, campfire talks, and workshops. Yukon Astronomical Society.

How to get there

The park lies 108 miles north-east of Haines (Alaska) and is about 100 miles from Whitehorse in the Yukon capital. The park is also accessible via the Alaska Highway and the Top of the World Highway from Alaskan cities like Anchorage or Fairbanks. Haines Junction has the park’s visitor center as well as gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and lodging with indoor plumbing. 

“Visitors can drive into the park at Mät’àtäna Män and Thechàl Dhâl [Sheep Mountain]”, says Patera. Both locations have parking, outhouses and day-use areas.

The season in which you visit will determine whether or not you can access the park via rafting, skiing, or walking. She adds that “the park’s interior can only be accessed by flightseeing tours or mountaineering and ski touring expeditions.”

What to Do in Best Things to See

Take to the skies

By air, you can see the entire park, including the Icefield Ranges – Canada’s tallest and youngest mountains. Rocking Star Adventures Four different tours soar over the grasslands, mountains and glaciers that make up the park. “A glacial fly is incredible. Berard-Althouse: “I’ve been there a few time and it never gets old.”

Contact the artists at Kluane.

The park is a collaboration between the Yukon Arts Centre and the Arctic Institute of North America’s Kluane Lake Research StationAnnual Artist in Residence ProgramArtists from Canada are invited to stay and explore the link between their work and science and nature. Kluane Lake is the base of operations for these artists. Lhù’ààn Mânʼ (Kluane Lake). Patera says that visitors can interact with artists by attending Artist at Work demos, public workshops and artist presentations. 

Explore the local area with locals.

Join a day trip to Whitehorse and let someone else do the driving. Yukon Roots. The Dakwäkäda Day Tour with owners Nikki and Reuben Nielsen includes some wildlife viewing en route to the park—elk, wild horses, and if you’re lucky, bison—and a stop at the Da Kų Cultural Centre Before heading to Kathleen Lake, we had a picnic. Nikki belongs to the Champagne-Aishihik First Nation and her greatgrandfather is Keish. Skookum JimThe day will be filled with incredible tales about this important figure in the early days Klondike Gold Rush. 

Winter in the Yukon is beautiful.

Guided day hikes are available. Yukon Guided Adventures Visitors can get out and about in the wilderness by either snowshoeing or canoeing, depending on when they visit. Pine Lake offers calm waters for guided canoeing trips. snowshoeing tours Explore the winter beauty of the park by taking new trails. 

Best Hikes 

Kokanee Trail 

It is important to note that the word “you” means “you”. Kokanee Trail This boardwalk is accessible to people in wheelchairs and those with strollers. The boardwalk trail is approximately a quarter of a mile each way. It offers stunning views of the mountains and the lake. Berard Althouse, who is a local, says that the red chairs are visible if you continue on the trail. Parks Canada program Adirondack chairs placed at locations with exceptional views. 

Sheep Creek Trail

You can enjoy some wildlife watching in a friendly environment. Sheep Creek Trail This popular trail offers views of the glacially-fed Slims River Valley, and the chance to see wild Dall sheep roaming the terrain beneath the route. This popular trail climbs up Sheep Mountain, above Sheep Creek and has a six-mile round trip. 

King’s Throne Trail

King’s Throne Trail It is a challenging and steep climb but the reward is to see a glacial valley, a valley formed by glacial erosion. “It’s the ‘seat’ of the King’s Throne,” Patera says. This is a popular spot because of the mountain views and wildflowers in the mountains.

Six miles is the distance between the trailhead and the cirque. A unmarked and unmaintained path leads to the summit. This will add an additional four miles to your journey. Climbers should be careful, even when the conditions are dry. The rocks can still be slippery.  Berard-Althouse advises that climbers should bring hiking poles. “The descent can be steep and difficult.”

Where to Stay in the Best Hotels

 Mount Logan Ecolodge & Retreat Center

Just a 10-minute drive will take you to the visitor’s center. Mount Logan Ecolodge & Retreat Center The hotel offers a variety of options for accommodation. There are cozy lodge rooms that sleep 2 to 4 people. For groups of 4, you can choose the yurt which is equipped with a rustic stove and a kitchen. The barrel-shaped cabin is ideal for solo travelers, couples, or those who prefer glamping. The Goldrush cabin, which can accommodate two people, is a stylish log cabin. It is also the oldest building in Haines Junction. Breakfast is included in all stays, or you can choose full board (breakfast plus three-course meals). The hotel also has a sauna as well a glacial fed creek. 

Yukon Black Spruce Cabins

You can enjoy the outdoors in Whitehouse while staying comfortably inside. Yukon Black Spruce Cabins. Each Scandi-inspired cabin has a kitchenette (including organic teas, locally roasted coffee, and a sofa), en suite bathroom, and beds that face picture windows. The guests will enjoy a sauna and fire pit.

The Otentiks at Kathleen lake

Parks Canada’s Otentiks Kathleen Lake offers a glamping experience within the park. Turnkey campsites look like a cross between tents and spacious cabins. They include three sleeping platforms, mattresses for up to six people and an indoor dining area, along with a wood-burning fireplace and firewood. You’ll also find a fire pit, outdoor cooking stove and a bear resistant food storage locker outside. Parking, outhouses, garbage and recycling disposal, and potable water taps are all nearby. Each Otentik also comes with a wagon for transporting things between the car and tent. Pack sleeping bags, pillows and blankets, as well as food and beverages. Also, don’t forget propane, matches and flashlights. These sites are available May through September and must be reserved through Parks Canada—they go quickly, though, so you may want to snag your spot months in advance.

Restaurants

The park does not have any food or water outlets, so bring your own, or bring a purification system. Kathleen Lake provides bear-proof storage lockers for food, toiletries and other scents. For overnight trips to the backcountry from April 1 through November 15, bear-resistant food containers must be used. Patera says, “These canisters may be borrowed from Parks Canada visitor centres.” 

You can fuel up at Haines Junction either before or following your visit.

Mile 1016 Pub

Find all your favourite Canadian pub classics at Mile 1016 Pub—think nachos, wings, and poutine—but the extensive burger menu is where the kitchen really shines. You can choose between pulled pork, beef, salmon, chicken or veggies with yam fries. The perfect reward after a hiking day.

Village Bakery & Deli

Village Bakery & Deli Since 1936, the sweets and savory dishes are made daily from scratch. Visitors can stop by for lunch or breakfast from May through September. You can find a variety of breakfast sandwiches and burritos as well as quiches, soups, salads, scones, and cinnamon buns. Their sourdough sticks are the most popular thing to come out of ovens.