Home to Canada’s highest peak (5,959-metre Mount Logan), the world’s largest non-polar icefields and 17 of Canada’s 20 tallest mountains, Kluane National Park and Reserve is one of North America’s most spectacular wilderness destinations.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers visitors the chance to experience soaring mountain ranges, ancient glaciers, turquoise lakes and abundant wildlife, making it one of Yukon’s must-visit destinations during the summer months.
Whether exploring on foot, by air or from the water, Kluane National Park and Reserve delivers unforgettable adventures at every turn. Hiking trails range from gentle lakeside walks perfect for families to challenging backcountry expeditions through alpine landscapes. One of the park’s most iconic hikes is King’s Throne, where those who make the climb are rewarded with panoramic views over the striking blue waters of Kathleen Lake.
Beyond its dramatic landscapes, Kluane National Park and Reserve offers visitors the opportunity to connect with the region’s rich Indigenous heritage. The park lies within the Traditional Territories of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, Kluane First Nation and White River First Nation, whose peoples have lived on and cared for these lands for thousands of years. Visitors can learn more at the Da Kų Cultural Centre in Haines Junction, where interactive exhibits, cultural displays and local stories provide a deeper understanding of the traditions, history and living culture of the region.
For those wanting to appreciate Kluane National Park and Reserve’s vast scale, flightseeing tours offer a breathtaking perspective. Visitors can soar over immense glaciers, towering peaks and sprawling icefields, with some excursions even landing on a glacier, allowing travellers to step out into one of Canada’s most dramatic landscapes.
Wildlife enthusiasts are equally well catered for. Travelling along the Alaska Highway or Haines Highway often provides opportunities to spot grizzly bears, black bears, Dall sheep, mountain goats, caribou and even wolves. The Tachäl Dhäl Visitor Centre offers telescopes to observe Dall sheep on the surrounding mountainsides without disturbing them in their natural habitat.
Water lovers can paddle the crystal-clear waters of Kathleen Lake, where campsites, picnic areas and scenic walking trails create the perfect setting for a relaxing day immersed in nature. For a more adrenaline-fuelled experience, rafting the Alsek River, a Canadian Heritage River, offers an unforgettable journey through glacial valleys surrounded by towering peaks and incredible wildlife.
Take me to Kluane National Park and Reserve in the Yukon this summer with Wexas
Wexas Travel offers a 12 day Landscapes of the Yukon tailor made self drive from £2,580 per person, including return flights, complimentary UK airport lounge access, 10 nights’ accommodation, 11 days’ car hire and a Yukon River ferry crossing. For more information, visit www.wexas.com.
Tucked into Canada’s far Northwest beside Alaska, the Yukon is the country’s most accessible northern destination. It is home to Mount Logan, Canada’s highest peak, and the world’s largest non polar icefields in Kluane National Park and Reserve. Nearly 80 percent of the territory remains wilderness, creating vast landscapes rich with wildlife. The Yukon covers an area roughly the size of Spain yet has only 46,000 residents, alongside 220,000 caribou, 70,000 moose and thousands of bears and mountain sheep. The region offers unparalleled access to nature, culture and northern adventure.
Getting to the Yukon: Air Access
Reaching the Yukon is easy thanks to convenient air links from major Canadian hubs. Air North, The Yukon’s Airline, offers year-round jet service from Whitehorse to Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna and Edmonton, plus seasonal routes to Toronto and Ottawa via Yellowknife, as well as northern connections to Dawson City, Old Crow and Inuvik. Air Canada operates daily flights to Whitehorse from London via Vancouver. WestJet provides seasonal service from London to Whitehorse via Calgary (overnight in Calgary required) from June to early September.
For further information on the Yukon, visit www.travelyukon.com
