Kluane National Park and Reserve

Hikes range from easy to rigorous at Kluane.

A view of the Kluane mountains.

Kluane National Park and Reserve, a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Site, boasts Canada's highest mountains and part of the largest non-polar icefield in the world.

The rugged mountains are superb for sightseeing, hiking and photo opportunities. Flying over the icefield ranges and rafting down the Alsek River are also popular activities in the park.

Kluane park (pronounced kloo-wah-nee) is part of the homeland of the Southern Tutchone First Nations (Native American) people. The park name is derived from a Southern Tutchone word meaning "lake with fish."

Species found in lakes within the park include lake trout, arctic grayling, rainbow trout and Kokanee salmon. A national parks fishing license is required.

Dall sheep can often be seen foraging on the slopes of Tachal Dhal (Sheep Mountain) during spring, fall and winter. Mountain goats, moose, grizzly, black bear, lynx and wolves also range in the area.

Rafting trips down the Alsek River start on the Dezadeash River, an upper tributary of the Alsek. Rafters enjoy a wilderness of glaciers and grizzlies with minimal disruption. Several commercial companies offer trips down this spectacular river.

Hikes range from easy day hikes to extended expeditions to the icefields. Visitors can take a challenging multi-day hike into the Donjek Valley to explore the Donjek Glacier as it spreads across a seven-mile expanse of crevasses, moraines, rock and ice.

All overnigh trips require registration at the Kluane Visitor Centre in Haines Junction or Tachal Dhal Visitor Centre near the south end of Kluane Lake. The visitor center is open daily from mid-May to mid-September.

The Kluane Visitor Centre in Haines Junction is open throughout the year with reduced hours during winter.

Although there are some primitive campground facilities on a few trails, random low impact camping is encouraged for most of the trails and routes. Upon completing a trip, hikers must check back in with the park. If they fail to check back in, they may be responsible for the cost of the park search for them.

A number of old mining roads in the area are ideal for mountain biking. Trail riding and guided horseback trips are also available.

Motorized boats are permitted on Kathleen Lake and Mush Lake. Boating is limited to larger lakes and canoeists are urged to stay close to shore.

There is a scenic day-use area at Kathleen Lake and a 39-site campground with pump water, firewood and sanitary facilities. Several other campgrounds in the area are managed privately or by the Yukon territory government.

Park staff offer guided programs during July and August.