Haines Junction

The highway community of Haines Junction is nestled at the base of the St. Elias Mountains must have a special allure. Most of the people you will meet are friendly, open and longtime residents of this community. Locals and visitors can go glacier flightseeing, river rafting, mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, snowmobiling or cross-country skiing. Haines Junction is also the headquarters for Kluane (pronounced Kloo-WA-nee) National Park.

The 7,000 to 9,000-ft. summits of the Kluane Mountain Range parallel the highway and the St. Elias Mountain Range just to the west contains many of Canada’s highest peaks, including Mt. Logan – 19,550 ft.

A uniquely designed Roman Catholic Church and an Anglican Church made of logs are popular photographic subjects in Haines Junction. A new administration building for territorial government offices also houses the library and liquor store.

Haines Junction Monument This monument, depicting the major wildlife of the Kluane area, was built in 1987 and currently sits at the cross roads of the Alaska Highway and Haines Highway. Directly behind the monument is a visitor information panel about Haines Junction, its services’ and attractions. Haines Junction is part of the Golden Circle Route.

Yukon Visitor Center in the Da Ku Cultural Centre. Parks Canada has an information specialist in the same building so you can inquire about Kluane National Park.
Da Ku Cultural Centre “Our House” celebrates the vibrant language, culture and traditions of Champagne and Aishihik First Nations people and offers guided tours, campfire talks, traditional artwork, artifacts, and more.

www.tc.gov.yk.ca/vic.html

In 1942 the Army Corps of Engineers began to construct a road to the Port of Haines, Alaska on the Lynn Canal. These hard working troops faced incredible challenges. The branch road which was completed in 1943 is now the Haines Highway leading to the Alaska Marine Highway System and is one of the most beautiful highways in the north.

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Best Places to Stay in Haines Junction, Yukon

Raven’s Rest Inn

This cozy Inn welcomes guests to stay in comfort and style. Suites include Wi-fi, Satellite TV, mini-fridge, microwave and more. Delicious breakfasts are served daily in the dining room overlooking the stunning Kluane mountains.

Alcan Motor Inn

Alcan Motor Inn with panoramic views of the majestic St. Elias Mountains. This 23 room motel in Haines Junction operates year round and offers satellite TV’s A/C, fridge, microwave and coffee maker.

 

Best Things to Do in Haines Junction, Yukon

Rocking Star Adventures

Take an aerial tour of Kluane National Park with professional pilots narrating your flight, with stories and history. Tours depart from Haines Junction and Burwash Landing. Tours range from 45 minutes to 2 hours.

Kluane National Park

This 8,500-square mile area (22,000 square km.) in the southwestern corner of the Yukon Territory contains Mt. Logan (19,545 ft/5959 m.), Canada’s highest peak, a part (along with Wrangell St. Elias, Glacier Bay, Tatshenshini) one of the world’s largest non-polar ice fields, and some of North America’s finest wildlife population.

Some of the park’s geological features include glacier-created sand dunes and dust storms, and a large delta in Kluane Lake*, created by glacial silt deposits from the Kaskawulsh Glacier.

In 1980, Kluane National Park, along with the Wrangell-St. Elias National Monument, was added to UNESCO’s roster of World Heritage Sites.

 

Dining in Haines Junction, Yukon

Mile 1016 Pub

Welcome to “Mile 1016 Pub” nestled in amongst the St. Elais Mountain range in beautiful Kluane National Park. Mile 1016 Pub offers friendly, professional service where you are treated as part of our family. They have a fully stocked bar and offer some tasty “Pub Grub” which will have you coming back for more.

Village Bakery

The Village Bakery & Deli is located in Haines Junction, Yukon. They are open seasonally from May to September and offer freshly baked goods with home-cooked style meals daily.

They are also home to the Sourdough Cheese Stick, the Friday Night Salmon Bake, and now, the new Saturday Night BBQ featuring live Yukon music outdoors on their deck each weekend.

 

Haines Junction Yukon FAQs

Is Haines Junction the same as Haines, Alaska?

No, the Village of Haines Junction is different from the City of Haines, Alaska. Haines Junction is in the Yukon Territory, Canada, and Haines is a city in Alaska, USA. You can drive 152 miles/246 km from Haines to Haines Junction on the Haines Highway. The Haines Highway is one of the most scenic drives in all of Alaska and part of the Golden Circle Route (Skagway to Haines to Whitehorse).

If you get an opportunity, drive south from Haines Junction to Haines. You will witness the rugged Three Guardsmen Pass and the famed Chilkat Pass and see the Jarvis and Saksaia Glaciers. You’ll also pass through the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, renowned for having the world’s largest congregation of bald eagles every October.

What is Haines Junction known for?

Haines Junction is the gateway to the Kluane National Park and Reserve. Together, four national parks: Kluane National Park and Reserve, Tatshenshini-Alsek Park in British Columbia, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, and Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska, form the largest internationally protected area on earth and are designated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

When was the Haines Highway built?

The Haines Highway, also known as the Haines Cut-off, was built in 1943 by the US Military as an alternate route to the Alaska Highway.  It follows the old Dalton Trail through the Chilkat Pass which was originally a trading route used by the coastal Tlingit tribe to bring eulachon oil to the interior Athabascan people in return for furs, hides and copper nuggets. It also became a route miners used to get to the Interior of Alaska during the gold rush.

The highway ends at the ice free port of Haines.  The road was upgraded significantly by the 1980s and now offers year-round access with maintenance shared by the Yukon and Alaskan governments.

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