The best camping near Kluane National Park

In the wild mountains of the southern Yukon Territory, Kluane National Park is home to Canada’s highest peak (the 5,250-meter Mount Logan), its largest icefield, and its most diverse grizzly bear population—all of which come together in truly staggering beauty. The park is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that straddles the Canadian–U.S. border and is made up of Kluane, Wrangell-St. Elias, Glacier Bay, and Tatshenshini-Alsek. Head to Kluane for kayaking amid snow-capped peaks, rafting the Alsek River, frontcountry camping from Kathleen Lake, hiking on the King’s Throne Trail, and remote biking and backcountry camping spots all around.

• Best for families: Kathleen Lake Campground features oTENTik tent-cabins and facilities.
• Best for fishing: Aishihik Lake offers amazing fishing on a long lake.
• Best for classic park views: Lake Creek Campground sits at the base of the Kluane Mountains.

1. Kathleen Lake offers the only Parks Canada frontcountry camping in the park, operating on a first-come, first-served basis for all sites (as all Yukon government campgrounds do) except oTENTik tent-cabins, which typically require advance bookings.
2. You’ll need a permit for backcountry camping in summer.
3. If you’re brave enough to tent in the park in winter (when ice-fishing, backcountry skiing, snowboarding, and dog-sledding rule), there’s no need for a permit between November 16 and March 31.

The Yukon Territory is pretty far north, so summer (mid-June to September) is the best time to visit if you don’t want to camp under a threat of wintry conditions. Given that this is the land of the midnight sun, expect zero darkness in July. And if you want to see the northern lights, book for September, when you’ll actually have a night sky that might provide the chance! Hardcore campers love this park in the winter too—just don’t expect much in the way of facilities.

• The park operates a “bare” campsite program, in which all food and scented products must be safely stored in hardsided vehicles or in campground animal-proof lockers to discourage bears.
• Each September, Kluane’s annual Dark Sky Festival celebrates the incredible stargazing here, as well as the northern lights that so often dance across the sky.
• You may see local First Nations harvesting (hunting and fishing) in the park, as Kluane is one of their traditional territories.
• Flightseeing tours are the best way to see the area’s icefields. Just be sure to book in advance.
• To reach the park, drive the Alaska Highway (Highway 1) west from Whitehorse, or take the Haines Highway north from Haines. Both routes are perfect for road trips and come with epic vistas.