Background
These parks comprise an impressive complex of glaciers and high peaks on both sides of the border between Canada and the United States. UNESCO says the spectacular landscapes are home to many grizzly bears, caribou and Dall's sheep, and that the site contains the largest non-polar icefield in the world.
Kluane, Wrangell-St Elias, Glacier Bay and Tatshenshini-Alsek together cover 98,391 square kilometres, just smaller than South Korea and the largest transboundary protected area in the world. Wikivoyage says Kluane National Park, established in 1972, is bigger than El Salvador, lies 160 km west of Whitehorse, and that its interior is reached only by flightseeing tour or a serious mountaineering expedition.
- 1972Kluane National Park Reserve is established in the Yukon
- 1979Kluane and Wrangell-St Elias inscribed; Glacier Bay added in 1992, Tatshenshini-Alsek in 1994
- 1993Tatshenshini-Alsek is protected after a campaign against mining
Find Your Way Around
The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them
- 1Kluane LakeThe great lake along the Alaska Highway, with the Soldier's Summit trail above it.
- 2Kathleen LakeThe day-use area and campground, open mid-May to mid-September.
- 3FlightseeingThe only way to see the icefields and Mount Logan, Canada's highest peak.
- 4Haines JunctionThe base town at the park's edge.
- 5Alsek and Tatshenshini RiversWilderness rafting through the glaciers to the Pacific.
Know Before You Go
From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides
Kluane from Haines Junction
Not yet in a GoGo guide
- 09:00Flightseeing Over the Icefield90 minGlaciers and Mount Logan from the air.
- 13:00King's Throne Trail4 hrsUp above Kathleen Lake.
Best Time to Visit
Best months: Jul, Sep–May. Freezing days in Sep–May.
Typical highs
Climate: NASA POWER