Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Kluane National Park and Reserve spans approximately 6.6 million acres of mountainous wilderness in southwestern Yukon, Canada, bordering Alaska. Dominated by the Saint Elias Mountains, it contains Canada’s highest peak, Mount Logan (19,551 feet), and extensive glacial fields, including the vast Kaskawulsh and Hubbard Glaciers. This park forms part of the UNESCO-designated Kluane/Wrangell–St. Elias/Glacier Bay/Tatshenshini-Alsek international park system, one of the largest protected areas on Earth. Ecologically, Kluane supports boreal forests at lower elevations, alpine tundra, and glaciers in the high country. It is home to wildlife such as Dall sheep, mountain goats, grizzly and black bears, moose, and wolves. Indigenous peoples, especially the Southern Tutchone, have a cultural connection to the area stretching back thousands of years. Recreation opportunities include extensive hiking and backpacking trails, world-class mountaineering and ice climbing, wildlife viewing, and fishing. The park offers remote wilderness experiences accessible via the Alaska Highway and local roads around Haines Junction, the gateway community. Visitors often explore the scenic Haines Highway and the Slims River valley or take guided glacier tours. Kluane provides both developed campgrounds and backcountry sites, with visitors drawn to its pristine landscapes and challenging terrain. The combination of dramatic mountain vistas, large icefields, and rich biodiversity make Kluane a unique outdoor destination in Canada’s north.
