Kluane National Park and Reserve
National Park Yukon park protecting glaciers and icefields, Mount Logan
Kluane National Park and Reserve in Yukon contains extensive icefields and Mount Logan; visitors come for mountaineering, long-distance hiking, glacier views and wildlife such as Dall sheep and grizzly bears.
Kluane National Park and Reserve is a protected area in southwestern Yukon, Canada, notable for its vast icefields, glaciers and high mountain peaks. It contains Canada’s highest mountain, Mount Logan, and is part of a transboundary UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visitors come for large-scale wilderness experiences including mountaineering, glacier travel, wildlife viewing and extended backcountry trips; the park offers limited frontcountry facilities and emphasizes remote access. Scenic flightseeing is a common way for visitors to see Mount Logan and the icefields from the air.
The park was established to protect the region’s alpine and subarctic ecosystems and supports ongoing scientific study of glaciology, climate and wildlife. Its glaciers and icefields have been central to both indigenous use and modern scientific interest.
Kluane lies in southwestern Yukon bordering Alaska, with Mount Logan located near the international boundary; the landscape is dominated by high peaks, deep valleys and extensive glaciated terrain.
- UNESCO listing: Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with adjacent transboundary protected areas in Alaska and British Columbia for its extensive icefields and mountain ecosystems.
- Access: The park contains vast icefields and glaciers and is a wilderness area with limited road access; travel typically requires air transport or extended overland expeditions.
What to See #
- Mount Logan: Mount Logan is Canada's highest peak at 5,959 metres and is the dominant massif within the park, attracting mountaineering expeditions and scientific glaciological study.
How to Get to Kluane National Park and Reserve #
By road from Whitehorse: Kluane National Park and Reserve is accessed from the community of Haines Junction, which sits on the Alaska Highway (Yukon Highway 1). Drive west from Whitehorse for about 160 km (roughly 100 miles) on the Alaska Highway to reach Haines Junction; this is the principal gateway with the park visitor centre and access roads to trails and viewpoints a short drive from town.
There are also seasonal shuttle/tour options from Whitehorse and small local air charters to Haines Junction; once in Haines Junction, most park sites are reached by car with short walks from trailheads.
Tips for Visiting Kluane National Park and Reserve #
- Use the Kluane Visitor Centre in Haines Junction as your first stop for maps, current trail conditions, and information about flightseeing or guided services into the park.
- Plan main activities for June-August for the most reliable access and weather; if you intend to book flightseeing or chartered access to remote valleys, reserve those services well in advance, as availability is limited in peak season.
Best Time to Visit Kluane National Park and Reserve #
Best visited in summer (June-August) for hiking, glacier views and the most reliable access; winter conditions are extreme and limit most activities.
Weather & Climate near Kluane National Park and Reserve #
Kluane National Park and Reserve's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -24°C to 10°C. Moderate rainfall (926 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -15°C and lows of -24°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of -10°C and lows of -21°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of -9°C and lows of -21°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -14°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -3°C. Significant rainfall (110 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 0°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (133 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -2°C. Significant rainfall (111 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -6°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -12°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is freezing with highs of -10°C and lows of -21°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -14°C and lows of -23°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
