Yukon Parks
The Yukon has vast expanses of land, rivers, valleys, glaciers, and mountains. Much of this land enjoys protected status by way of national park designation and territorial parks.
To be precise, we have 12 habitat protection/special management areas, eight territorial parks, four Canadian heritage rivers, three national parks and one national wildlife area.
Yukon Territorial Parks
Agay Mene Territorial Park
The Agay Mene Territorial Park is accessed from the Atlin Lake Road. It was established in 2005 as a Special Management Area as part of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation Final Agreement. The official park designation is pending.
It protects fish and wildlife and their habitat.
Asi Keyi Territorial Park
This territorial park is not accessible by road or trail. It's footprint goes from the Donjek River west to the Alaska border and from Kluane National Park north to the Kluane range. Part of the Kluane Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the park. There are also sites of archaeological and cultural value. It's located inside the traditional territories of the Kluane and White River First Nations people. The official park designation is pending.
Coal River Springs Territorial Park
The cool water springs created large limestone platforms and provide a habitat that supports a diverse biological life. Coal River Springs is unique in the territory and is a national treasure. It's inside the traditional territory of the Liard First Nation.
Herschel Island - Qikiqtaruk Territorial Park
The Herschel Island - Qikiqtaruk Territorial Park is accessible from mid-June to mid-September by boat or aircraft. You can fly from Inuvik, NWT which is located 250 km southeast of the park. A park permit is required in order to land an aircraft on the island. The island is 116 square kilometres and protects both natural and human heritage. The park is used by the Inuvialuit for traditional activities and the park is also visited by researchers from around the world.
Kusawa Territorial Park
Accessible via the Kusawa Lake Road off the Alaska Highway. The park is within the traditional territories of the Carcross/Tagish, Kwanlin Dün and, Chapagne and Aishihik First Nations. There are two campgrounds located in the park: Takhini River and Kusawa Lake.
Ni'iinlii Njik (Fishing Branch) Territorial Park and Habitat Protection Area
Access to the park is controlled to provide protection to the bear population. the 6,500 square kilometre park is a legacy of the Vuntut Gwich'in Land Claim Agreement and is jointly managed by the Yukon and Vuntut Gwich'in governments. The park also protects critical salmon spawning areas, migration corridors for the Porcupine Caribou herd, cultural values for the Vuntut Gwitch'in First Nation, and to maintain the long term viability of the grizzly bear populations that congregate seasonally at Bear Cave Mountain.
Dàadzàii Vàn Territorial Park
Dàadzàii Vàn means Loon Lake in Gwich'in and is of importance to the Vuntut Gwitch'in and Teltit Gwich'in First Nations. The planned park area provides important habitat for the Porcupine caribou herd.
Tombstone Territorial Park
Tombstone Territorial Park conjures up the iconic ragged peaks of the Tombstone Mountain. Visitation of the park is facilitated by the Tombstone Interpretive Centre located at km 71.5 on the Dempster Highway. The offers interpretive displays, guided hikes, outdoor programs, and information about wildlife sightings, bear safety, and highway conditions. Stop by for a cup of their Mountain Wild tea (made from ingredients from the area’s natural flora!) and sign up for a program. You could learn about the area with a knowledgable guide while enjoying bannock and tea, settle around a campfire for interpretation around the fire, take a yoga class overlooking the mountains, join a guided hike, or drop off the kids at a Junior Naturalist program.
The park is situated inside the traditional territory of the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in first nation.
Canadian National Parks in the Yukon
Kluane National Park and Reserve
Kluane National Park is home to Canada's tallest mountain Mount Logan. It rises to 5,959 metres. Home to Canada's largest non-polar ice field and also North America's most diverse population of grizzly bears. There are popular day hikes and multi-day hikes in the area. We highly recommend a flight-seeing trip.
People from all over the world come to Kluane for the incredible hiking or to raft the Tatshenshini for a daytrip or the Alsek River for a multi-day expedition.
Ivvavik National Park
Ivvavik National park is located in the extreme northwest corner of the Yukon above the Arctic circle right below the Beaufort Sea. Due to it's remove nature only 100 visitors per year get to visit this untouched wilderness. The Firth river runs through the Park and flows into the Beaufort sea. A class IV river offers rafters a unique two-week adventure providing an abundance of wildlife sightings along the way.
Vuntut National Park
Vuntut National Park is known for remote and untouched Arctic wilderness and First Nation history that dates back thousands of years. Follow in the footsteps of the Porcupine Caribou Herd and experience rich wildlife and cultural heritage. The only fly-in community of the Yukon is located south of the park.