The Kluane National Park and Reserve Visitor Centre in Haines Junction combines digital exhibits and cultural objects with hands-on activities and resources for planning excursions. Here, insights into the region come together with practical suggestions for things to do. For those who want to get their bearings first, Junction Overlook offers another place to stop: benches invite you to linger while looking out at the St. Elias Mountains. An information panel identifies the individual peaks and gives their elevations.
Trails for Walking and Cycling
For getting around town, there is a paved multi-use trail along the Alaska Highway and Haines Road, suitable for hiking and cycling. The Dezadeash River Trail takes you through a different landscape, following the river through wetlands, meadows, and forest. The trail is easy and well marked, and its trailhead is at the southern end of Haines Junction.
The Dezadeash River Day Use Area offers the opportunity to walk or ski along the Dezadeash River Trail. This means different activities are available on this riverside trail: a walk or, depending on the season, a ski outing. If you are planning your trip around a particular activity, it is worth considering these options separately when planning your stay.
Culture and Local 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. Visitor programs include guided tours and campfire talks; seasonal schedules may change. The gift shop offers locally made First Nations crafts, which may vary in availability by season. The centre thus brings together cultural topics, opportunities to connect, and crafts.
Contemporary art and regional history meet at the St. Elias Convention Centre. Several works and collections from the Haines Junction Permanent Art Collection are displayed in the foyer and atrium for visitors and residents to enjoy. The Convention Centre also houses a local history exhibit about significant events in the Kluane region since 1890.
Another local landmark is Our Lady of the Way Catholic Church, which is also a visitor attraction. Built in 1954, it incorporates parts of an old army Quonset hut left over from the construction of the Alaska Highway. The year it was built and the reused hut sections give the church a tangible connection to the history of the highway.
Haines Junction and the Kluane Region
Haines Junction serves as a gateway to Kluane National Park and Reserve. The area is a popular destination for hiking, camping, cross-country skiing, and wildlife viewing; conditions for these activities vary by season. Local options offer a different focus: the paved multi-use trail is used for hiking and cycling, while the Dezadeash River Trail also offers walking and skiing. Cultural sites, trails, and mountain views give you a variety of ways to shape your stay in Haines Junction.
The Kluane Chilkat International Bike Relay is also a highlight of the event calendar: the annual race runs from Haines Junction to Haines, Alaska, on the third Saturday in June. According to the event description, more than 1,100 riders take part, starting in teams of one, two, four, or eight. If you want to plan your trip around the Relay, check the latest event dates and participation details in advance, as dates and details may change.
When choosing a hotel in Haines Junction, your planned priorities can help guide your decision: trails and landscapes, cultural facilities, or a stay centered around the Bike Relay each raise different travel-planning questions. Local information can help you weigh these interests without conflating the various options into a single activity.
Discover more destinations: Dawson City, Whitehorse, Beaver Creek.
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