Burwash Landing is the traditional home of the Southern Tutchone people of the Kluane First Nation. The present location of Burwash Landing was first used as a summer camp until a trading post was built in the early 1900s. The site was made the administrative centre for the Kluane First Nations after the Alaska Highway was built.
The establishment of Kluane National Park prohibited the hunting and fishing rights of the First Nations people and they were forced in turn to rely increasingly on fishing to make a living. There is a post office, community hall and several businesses that offer a variety of services.