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National park · Canada

Kluane National Park and Reserve

Drive the Alaska Highway from Whitehorse to Haines Junction (160 km, about 2 h), then pick one: the King's Throne climb above Kathleen Lake (4–6 h return), the easy 3 km St. Elias Lake trail, or a flightseeing hour over the icefields (2026 estimate CAD 300–500+). Skip the park interior on foot unless you are on a guided mountaineering or ski expedition.

Not field-verifiedSome areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026
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From where I am

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Area

22,013 km²

approximate

Established

1972

Best months

Jun–Aug

UNESCO

None

Rules in force · 6Crossing 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.

At a glance

Country
Canada
Area
22,013 km²
Park and reserve combined; larger than El Salvador.
Established
1972
Best months
Jun–Aug
Permits
For some areas

Kluane protects 22,013 km² of the Saint Elias Mountains — larger than El Salvador — and 83% of it is rock, snow and glacier. Canada's highest mountain, Mount Logan (5,959 m), sits deep inside, and the park is part of the Kluane–Wrangell-St. Elias–Glacier Bay–Tatshenshini-Alsek UNESCO World Heritage Site. Almost all visitors stay on the eastern edge, along the Alaska and Haines highways, where the day trails, the Kathleen Lake campground and the visitor centre are. The interior is reached by plane, raft or a serious expedition.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

  • No UNESCO listing; national park since 1972.

Size and age

22,013 km² · national park since 1972

Park and reserve combined; larger than El Salvador.

Why go

  • Mount Logan (5,959 m), Canada's highest peak, and the largest icefields outside the polar regions.
  • Day hikes straight off the highway: King's Throne, St. Elias Lake, Sheep Creek and the Dezadeash River trail.
  • Grizzly, Dall sheep, caribou and about 120 bird species in a park with very few people in it.
  • A flightseeing hour over the Icefield Ranges is the only realistic way to see the interior without an expedition.

When to go

12-month verdict
  1. JanAvoid
  2. FebAvoid
  3. MarCaution
  4. AprCaution
  5. MayGo
  6. JunBest
  7. JulBest
  8. AugBest
  9. SepGo
  10. OctCaution
  11. NovAvoid
  12. DecAvoid
  • JanDeep cold; short daylight; most services closed
  • FebCold and dark; ski touring only
  • MarLonger days; snow still deep on trails
  • AprThaw starts; mud and rotten snow
  • MayKathleen Lake day-use area opens mid-May (check); trails still wet
  • JunLong daylight, wildflowers, all trails open
  • JulWarmest and driest; peak visitor weeks
  • AugGood walking; berries; some rain
  • SepCool, clear, fewer people; campground closes mid-Sep (check)
  • OctSnow possible; services winding down
  • NovWinter access; ice on the highway
  • DecCold and dark; no day-hike season

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year
Wildlife and nature calendar for Kluane National Park and Reserve
WhatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Dall sheep at Thachäl Dhäl (Sheep Mountain)May–Sep · Look up-slope from the highway pull-outs; binoculars help.nonononoyesyesyesyesyesnonono
Grizzly bearsMay–Sep · Most often on valley slopes and roadsides; keep distance and never feed.nonononoyesyesyesyesyesnonono
Caribou and mooseJun–Sepnononononoyesyesyesyesnonono
Golden and bald eagles, rock ptarmiganMay–Sepnonononoyesyesyesyesyesnonono
Fireweed and mountain flowersJun–Julnononononoyesyesnonononono

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

How to get there

From Whitehorse

Drive west on the Alaska Highway (Highway 1) to Haines Junction; the visitor desk is in town.

2–2.5 h

From Haines, Alaska

Drive north on the Haines Highway (Highway 3) to Haines Junction.

3–3.5 h

From Anchorage or Fairbanks

Alaska Highway south to Thachäl Dhäl (Sheep Mountain), then Haines Junction.

1–2 days

From Whitehorse by air

Daily flights from Vancouver, plus Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna, Ottawa, Yellowknife and summer services from Fairbanks and Frankfurt; then drive or join a tour.

2.5 h flight + 2 h drive

Open the page →

Zones and sectors

Zones of Kluane National Park and Reserve
ZoneWhat is thereAccess
Kathleen Lake areaDay-use area, boat launch, picnic tables, campground and the King's Throne and Cottonwood trailheads.Drive in; operated mid-May to mid-September (check).
Thachäl Dhäl (Sheep Mountain)The one place you can drive into the park; sheep on the slopes and the Sheep Creek trail.Drive in on the Alaska Highway; visitor centre in season.
Alsek valley and the southRafting country on the Alsek, a Canadian Heritage river, reached from Haines Junction side roads.Guided raft trips or long backcountry routes.
Icefield Ranges interiorMount Logan, the St. Elias icefields and 83% of the park's area.Flightseeing, or a permitted mountaineering or ski touring expedition.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation
Sketch map of 7 approximate points in Kluane National Park and Reserve, north up1234567
Approximate positions along the Alaska and Haines highways, for orientation only.
  1. 1Haines Junction · Town≈60.752, -137.511Map ↗
  2. 2Da Kų Cultural Centre (visitor desk) · Headquarters≈60.754, -137.512Map ↗
  3. 3Kathleen Lake day-use area · Gate≈60.578, -137.283Map ↗
  4. 4King's Throne trailhead · Trail≈60.575, -137.290Map ↗
  5. 5St. Elias Lake trailhead · Trail≈60.808, -137.750Map ↗
  6. 6Thachäl Dhäl (Sheep Mountain) · Viewpoint≈61.033, -138.533Map ↗
  7. 7Mount Logan · Summit≈60.567, -140.403Map ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

ViewpointsHard4–6 h returnKing's ThroneSteep climb from Kathleen Lake to a rock bench looking over the lake and the icefields; the classic Kluane day hike.
TrailsEasy2–3 h returnSt. Elias LakeAbout 3 km each way through forest to a small lake below the mountains; the best short walk for most visitors.
WildlifeModerate3–4 h returnSheep Creek TrailFrom Thachäl Dhäl up a dry slope where Dall sheep are often visible; carry water, there is none.
TrailsEasy1–2 hDezadeash River TrailFlat riverside walk from Haines Junction; good for a late evening in June or July.
ViewpointsEasy1–3 hFlightseeing over the Icefield RangesProp plane or helicopter; some trips land on the ice for a few hours. Weather can cancel at short notice.Booking: Book with a local operator in Haines Junction or Whitehorse
Boat tripsExpertMulti-dayAlsek River raftA serious wilderness river trip, not a day float.Booking: Guided expedition

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

CAD ranges · check
Fees for Kluane National Park and Reserve
ItemRangePerNote
Park entry (day use)FreepersonNo entry gate or day fee at Kluane; you pay for camping, permits and tours (check).
Kathleen Lake CampgroundCAD 15.7site per nightPrimitive, no showers; 2026 estimate.
Campfire permitCAD 8.8site per day2026 estimate.
Backcountry permit (overnight)CAD 9.8personAnnual version about CAD 68.70; 2026 estimate.
Aircraft landing permitCAD 29.4party per landing2026 estimate.
Flightseeing tourCAD 300–500personProp plane or helicopter; icefield landings cost more (check).

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Day hiking no permit

No permit; park at the trailheads on the Alaska and Haines highways.

Backcountry overnight permit or guide

Buy a backcountry permit at the Da Kų Cultural Centre visitor desk in Haines Junction before you go in.

Aircraft landing in the park permit or guide

Arranged through Parks Canada; the operator usually handles it.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more
Food storage
Keep food in a vehicle or bear-resistant container; do not leave scented items in tents.
Bear distance
Stay at least 100 m from bears and never block their path; carry bear spray on trails.
Camping
Camp only at Kathleen Lake campground or with a backcountry permit; no roadside camping inside the park.
Fires
Fires only in provided rings and only with a campfire permit; check for fire bans before lighting one.
Drones
Not allowed without a Parks Canada permit (check).check
First Nations lands
The park lies within Champagne and Aishihik First Nations and Kluane First Nation traditional territories; harvesting rights are set in their Final Agreements.

Where to stay

In the park

Kathleen Lake Campground

Primitive sites by the lake, no showers; the only campground in the park.

Near the park

Haines Junction

Motels, lodges, B&Bs and the Da Kų Cultural Centre visitor desk; 20–30 min from the trailheads.

Near the park

Whitehorse

Full range of hotels and hostels, 160 km east; a base for a day trip or a flightseeing departure.

Safety

Bears medium

Make noise on blind corners, carry bear spray where legal, and store food properly at camp.

Weather changes medium

Snow and sleet can arrive in any month; carry a shell, hat and gloves even on a July day hike.

Remoteness on long routes high

There is no phone signal in the backcountry; leave a trip plan with someone and carry a satellite messenger.

River crossings high

Glacial rivers are cold and fast; cross only where a route description says it is safe.

Wildlife on the highway medium

Watch for moose and bears on the shoulder, especially at dawn and dusk.

Accessibility

  • The Da Kų Cultural Centre visitor desk, the Kathleen Lake day-use area and the Dezadeash River Trail are reachable by car with short, fairly level walks.
  • King's Throne, Sheep Creek and the backcountry routes are steep and rough; not suitable for limited mobility.

Visiting lightly

  • Pack out everything, including food scraps; there is little waste collection in the park.
  • Stay on established trails to protect tundra plants that take decades to recover.
  • Use a flightseeing operator that follows Parks Canada routes and landing rules.
  • Buy fuel, food and guiding in Haines Junction or Burwash Landing so the money stays in the territory.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Kluane National Park?

There is no entry gate and no day-use fee for Kluane (check). You pay for what you use: Kathleen Lake Campground about CAD 15.70 per site per night, a campfire permit about CAD 8.80 per day, a backcountry overnight permit about CAD 9.80 per person, and an aircraft landing permit about CAD 29.40 per party. Flightseeing tours run roughly CAD 300–500 per person. All 2026 estimates.

What are the best hikes in Kluane National Park?

For a short walk, St. Elias Lake (about 3 km each way, easy). For a full day, King's Throne from Kathleen Lake (4–6 h return, steep). For wildlife, the Sheep Creek Trail at Thachäl Dhäl, where Dall sheep are often visible. The Dezadeash River Trail is the easy flat option from Haines Junction.

When is the best time to visit Kluane National Park?

June to August for long daylight, open trails and the Kathleen Lake campground. July is warmest and driest but busiest. September is quieter and often clear, though the campground closes mid-September (check). Winter is for ski touring and expeditions only.

Can I drive into Kluane National Park?

Only at two places: Kathleen Lake and Thachäl Dhäl (Sheep Mountain), both off the highways. The rest of the park has no roads; the interior is reached by plane, raft or on a permitted mountaineering or ski expedition.

Do I need a permit to hike in Kluane?

No permit for day hikes. Overnight trips into the backcountry need a permit, bought at the Da Kų Cultural Centre visitor desk in Haines Junction before you start. Aircraft landings inside the park also need a permit.

How do I get to Kluane National Park without a car?

Fly to Whitehorse, then take a bus, shuttle or organised tour west to Haines Junction (160 km). From there, trailheads and Kathleen Lake still need a vehicle or a tour; there is no public transport along the highways.

Is Kluane the same as Wrangell-St. Elias?

No. They are separate parks in different countries that form one UNESCO World Heritage Site with Glacier Bay and Tatshenshini-Alsek. Wrangell-St. Elias is in Alaska; Kluane is the Yukon part.

Related

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