National park · Canada
Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park
Go only if you are on a guided Tatshenshini or Alsek river trip or driving the Haines Highway: there is no entry fee, no road into the park, no campsite and no lodge, and the season is roughly June–September.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
9,580 km² (3,699 sq mi)3,699 sq mi (9,580 km²)
approximate
Established
1993
Best months
Jun–Aug
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 9Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
- North Coast-Nechako ↗This is bear country. Carry bear spray where it is legal to do so, make noise on trails, and store food sealed in your vehicle, not your tent.
- North Coast-Nechako ↗Rental cars are available in Prince George and Prince Rupert; book ahead in summer, and confirm one-way drop fees before you commit.
- North Coast-Nechako ↗BC Ferries and the Alaska Marine Highway both sail from Prince Rupert; reserve vehicle space weeks ahead in summer.
At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Area
- 9,580 km² (3,699 sq mi)3,699 sq mi (9,580 km²)
- About 9,580 km², larger than Cyprus.
- Established
- 1993
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Tatshenshini-Alsek is 9,580 km² of glacier-carved valleys, icefields and the Alsek Ranges in British Columbia's far northwest corner, wedged between Kluane in the Yukon and Wrangell-St. Elias and Glacier Bay in Alaska. It was protected as a Class A park in 1993 after a campaign to stop the Windy Craggy copper mine, and joined the Kluane-Wrangell-St. Elias-Glacier Bay-Tatshenshini-Alsek UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. There is no road access to the interior, no serviced camping and no lodging: almost everyone sees it from a raft, a kayak or the Haines Highway that clips its eastern edge.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1994Kluane-Wrangell-St. Elias-Glacier Bay-Tatshenshini-Alsek, a four-park site across Canada and the United States.
Size and age
9,580 km² (3,699 sq mi)3,699 sq mi (9,580 km²) · national park since 1993
About 9,580 km², larger than Cyprus.
Why go
- Two of the great wilderness rivers of the north, the Tatshenshini and the Alsek, run through glacier valleys that no road reaches.
- The only Canadian home of the glacier bear, the rare blue-grey colour phase of the black bear.
- Mount Fairweather, the highest peak in British Columbia, stands on the park's western edge.
- The Haines Highway crosses the eastern edge, giving a free drive-through look at the same country river parties see.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprAvoid
- MayCaution
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctAvoid
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanDeep winter; snowmobile country, no visitor access
- FebCold and dark; park effectively closed to travel
- MarStill winter; avalanche terrain
- AprThaw begins; rivers high and unsafe
- MayEarly river season; snow on the ground, cold water
- JunLong daylight; main rafting season starts
- JulWarmest and busiest; peak river trips
- AugGood river levels; berries and bears active
- SepCooler, quieter; season winds down
- OctSnow returns; services close
- NovWinter access only
- DecShort days; no visitor services
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grizzly bearsMay–Sep · The park links coastal and interior populations; give them space and store food properly. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Glacier bear (rare blue-grey black bear)Jun–Aug · Found only here and just over the US border; sightings are uncommon. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Dall's sheep and mountain goatsJun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Bald and golden eagles, peregrine and gyr falconsMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Humpback whales and sea lionsJun–Aug · Along the coastal stretch near the Alsek mouth. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Haines Junction, Yukon
Drive the Haines Highway (Yukon Highway 3) south; the road crosses the park's eastern edge.
1.5–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Haines, Alaska
Drive the Haines Highway north into Canada; border crossing at Dalton Cache / Pleasant Camp.
2.5–3.5 h
Open the page →
From Whitehorse
Drive to Haines Junction, then south on the Haines Highway.
4.5–6 h
Open the page →
From River put-ins
Raft and kayak parties fly or drive to put-ins on the Tatshenshini and Alsek, then float through the park to a take-out.
7–12 days on the water
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Haines Highway corridor | The eastern edge of the park along the road, with pullouts and views of the Alsek Ranges. | Open; drive-through, no facilities. |
| Tatshenshini River valley | Glacier-carved valley, gravel bars, alluvial fans and flower meadows. | River travel only; no road. |
| Alsek River valley | The larger river, braided channels and the route toward Dry Bay. | River travel only; check BC Parks notices for slide hazards before launching. |
| Alsek Ranges and Mount Fairweather | High peaks and icefields on the western side, including BC's highest summit. | Mountaineering and expedition travel only. |
Sketch map
- 1Haines Junction · Town≈60.752, -137.511Approximate; main base on the Alaska Highway.Map ↗
- 2Haines Highway park entry · Gate≈59.700, -136.900Approximate; the road clips the eastern edge of the park.Map ↗
- 3Tatshenshini River valley · Trail≈59.538, -137.546Approximate centre of the park, for orientation only.Map ↗
- 4Mount Fairweather · Summit≈58.906, -137.526Approximate; highest peak in British Columbia.Map ↗
- 5Haines, Alaska · Town≈59.236, -135.445Approximate; south end of the Haines Highway.Map ↗
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for orientation only; the park has no road access to its interior.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | BC provincial parks do not charge day-use entry; there is no gate or ticket office here. |
| Guided Tatshenshini or Alsek river expedition | CAD 4,000–8,000 (≈ US$3,000–6,000) | person | 2026 estimate for a multi-day commercial trip; price depends on length, put-in and outfitter. |
| Backcountry camping | Free | person | No fee and no facilities; wilderness camping only. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
River trip logistics permit or guide
Haines Highway drive no permit
Park rules
- No facilities
- There are no lodges, no serviced campsites and no visitor centre in the park; everything you need comes with you.
- Backcountry camping
- Wilderness camping is allowed with no facilities; practise no-trace camping and carry out all waste.
- Food storage
- Store food and scented items in bear-resistant containers or hang them; this is grizzly country.
- River hazards
- Check BC Parks notices before launching; a slide on the Alsek has caused hazardous conditions in recent seasons.
- Snowmobiles
- Winter snowmobile use follows BC Parks guidelines; check current rules before riding.check
- Drones
- Not allowed in BC provincial parks without permission.check
Where to stay
Near the park
Haines Junction
Motels, lodges and campgrounds on the Alaska Highway, the usual base before or after a river trip.
Near the park
Haines, Alaska
Hotels and inns at the south end of the Haines Highway, useful for Alsek take-outs.
In the park
Backcountry camping in the park
Wilderness camping only; no services, no reservations, no fees.
Safety
Grizzly bears high
Cold, fast glacial water high
Earthquakes medium
Remote terrain and no rescue high
Road wildlife and weather medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Haines Highway corridor is the only part of the park reachable by vehicle; pullouts are gravel and not maintained for wheelchairs.
- The interior, rivers and mountains have no accessible facilities or trails.
Visiting lightly
- Book with outfitters that follow Leave No Trace practice and pack out all waste, including human waste on river trips.
- Keep distance from bears and never feed wildlife; the park's value is its intact habitat.
- Support the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations and Tlingit heritage of the area by respecting cultural sites and the Kwäday Dän Ts'ìnchi story.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park?
Nothing. BC provincial parks do not charge day-use entry, and this park has no gate or ticket office. The real costs are getting there and, if you go by river, a guided expedition, which runs roughly CAD 4,000–8,000 per person in 2026.
What are the best hikes in Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park?
There are no maintained trails. Walking here means route-finding in the backcountry, usually as part of a river trip, or short walks from Haines Highway pullouts. Serious climbers head for the Alsek Ranges and Mount Fairweather.
When is the best time to visit Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park?
June to August for river trips and the Haines Highway drive, with September a quieter, cooler option. October to May is winter conditions with no visitor services.
Can I drive into Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park?
Only along the Haines Highway, which crosses the eastern edge. There is no road into the interior; the Tatshenshini and Alsek valleys are reached by raft, kayak or aircraft.
Is there anywhere to stay in the park?
No. There are no lodges and no serviced campsites. Wilderness camping is allowed with no facilities. Most people stay in Haines Junction or Haines, Alaska, before or after a trip.
Do I need a permit for the Tatshenshini or Alsek rivers?
For the park itself, no. Commercial trips handle their own logistics, and independent parties must arrange access and take-outs, some of which lie in Kluane National Park or Alaska, where separate rules may apply.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go