Haines Junction

Haines Junction is the gateway to Kluane National Park and Reserve. The area is a popular destination for hiking, camping, cross-country skiing and wildlife viewing. If you are looking for a vacation rental or holiday home in Haines Junction, you can choose where to stay based on whether nature experiences, outdoor activities or culture will shape your visit. The options range from views of the St. Elias Mountains to insights into the region’s history and traditions.

Mountain Views and Nature Trails

At Junction Overlook, benches invite you to take in the view of the St. Elias Mountains. An information board names the individual peaks and gives their elevations. This lets you connect the view with specific names; the spot also offers a moment to pause between more active pursuits. When planning your trip, it’s a different way to experience the landscape than following a trail through nature.

The Dezadeash River Trail runs alongside the Dezadeash River through wetlands, meadows and forest. It is described as an easy, well-marked trail. At the Dezadeash River Day Use Area, you can walk or ski along the trail. If you enjoy spending time outdoors during your stay, this gives you one option for a walk and another for winter sports.

Another way to get active is the paved multi-use trail along the Alaska Highway and Haines Road in Haines Junction. It is suitable for hiking and cycling. For families or travel companions with different interests, it offers an activity other than a riverside walk: the trail is explicitly intended for both uses. The experiences you want to focus on can therefore be a helpful guide when choosing accommodation in Haines Junction.

Discover Culture and History

The Da Kų Cultural Centre is dedicated to the culture and traditions of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations (CAFN) and the Dän people. It offers guided tours and campfire talks. The gift shop sells locally made First Nations crafts. In this way, the centre combines cultural interpretation with an introduction to craftwork. For travellers who want to include regional culture in their trip alongside nature experiences, it is a destination in its own right.

The St. Elias Convention Centre also offers several ways to engage with local culture. A local history exhibition explores significant events in the Kluane region since 1890. In the foyer and atrium, the centre also displays several works and collections from the Haines Junction Permanent Art Collection, which visitors and residents can enjoy there. The regional history exhibition and the art collection cover different subjects to consider as you explore the community.

Our Lady of the Way Catholic Church is a local landmark and visitor attraction. Built in 1954, it incorporates parts of an old army Quonset hut left over from the construction of the Alaska Highway.

An Annual Event for Cycling Fans

More than 1,100 cyclists ride from Haines Junction to Haines, Alaska, on the third Saturday in June for the annual Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay. They take part in teams of one, two, four or eight. Its set date and range of team sizes make the relay a special event for cycling enthusiasts and give you a specific reason to plan a trip. It is different from the trails you can use for hiking or cycling regardless of this annual competition.

To help you prepare for outings, the Kluane National Park and Reserve Visitor Centre in Haines Junction offers digital exhibits, cultural objects, hands-on activities and trip-planning resources. When choosing your vacation rental, you can consider whether you want to devote most of your time to trails and scenery, cultural discoveries or the Bike Relay. Other destinations in this overview include Dawson City, Whitehorse and Beaver Creek.

For the broader travel overview: Yukon.