Beyond The Suites
Haines Junction sits right at the edge of one of Yukon's wildest landscapes. Here's where to start.
In The Area
Small Village. Big Adventures
Haines Junction is home to fewer than 700 people, but it sits right at the edge of Kluane National Park, over 22,000 square kilometres of mountains, glaciers, and wildlife. Whatever you’re after, alpine hikes, a paddle at Kathleen Lake, or just a good view, it’s a short drive from where you’re staying.
01.
Da Kų Cultural Centre
Right on the Alaska Highway, at the heart of town, this is the region’s visitor information hub as much as it is a cultural centre. It’s a good first stop for two reasons: a real look at Champagne and Aishihik First Nations culture, art, and history, and current trail and road conditions before you head into the park.
02.
Pine Lake
A quick, easy stop just outside town, right off the Alaska Highway. Good for a short walk, a swim in summer, or just stretching your legs after a long stretch of driving. Not a destination on its own, but a good one to fit in on the way through.
03.
Auriol Trail
One of the more accessible ways into Kluane’s alpine terrain without committing to a multi-day trip. The trailhead sits a short drive south of town, and the loop climbs through boreal forest into a sub-alpine bench with views back over the Auriol Range. A solid half-day to full-day option.
04.
Kathleen Lake
Inside Kluane National Park itself, Kathleen Lake has a day-use area, a boat launch, a campground, and access to some of the park’s best-known trails. If you only make one stop inside the park boundary, this is a strong pick.
05.
King's Throne Trail
A steep climb, but it earns its name. The trail leads up to a natural, glacially carved amphitheatre overlooking Kathleen Lake, with the kind of view that’s hard to get anywhere else nearby without a much longer hike.